BTW’s Donnita Rogers accepts Langston AD position

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Booker T. Washington boys basketball coach Donnita Rogers, who previously served as Grambling State’s women’s basketball coach, has accepted the athletic director’s position at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma.

Rogers, 47, will replace former USC athletic director and Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett in leading Langston’s nine sports, including football, along with men’s and women’s basketball. Langston competes in the NAIA’s Red River Athletic Conference along with LSUS.

“It is bittersweet, because I absolutely love my boys and the BTW community. This was an extremely tough decision,” said Rogers, who indicated she received a
call “out of the blue” from Langston president Kent Smith Jr. “But opportunities like this don’t come up very often, so I believe this is the best move for my career.”

Langston announced in mid-April that the 71-year-old Garrett, who was hired in 2012, was leaving his position to pursue other interests. Rogers, one of the few women coaching a boys basketball program in the state, crafted the Lions into winners during her three years (two as a coach) at the Shreveport school. Her final team went 22-9 and advanced to the LHSAA Class 3A quarterfinals.



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Alcorn State University names Montez Robinson Head Men’s Basketball Coach

HEAD COACH MONTEZ ROBINSON
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BRAVES

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State University Director of Athletics Derek Horne announced today that Montez Robinson has been hired as the Braves new head men’s basketball coach.

For the past four seasons, Robinson has served as an assistant coach for the Bethune-Cookman University Men’s Basketball program. In his time at Bethune-Cookman, the Wildcats advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament quarterfinals twice with a trip to the championship game in 2012.

“Robinson is an experienced recruiter and developer of dynamic talent,” said Horne. “Combine all of that with his commitment to academic achievement and we have a coach who is a good fit to develop a first-rate basketball program.”

Robinson served as the camp director for the Bethune-Cookman Men’s Basketball Fundamental Camp, Elite Camp and Team Camp for the past two years. He was also the lead coach for working directly with post players, including All-MEAC Tournament selection Anthony Breeze.

“It’s extremely exciting to become the head men’s basketball coach at Alcorn State University where knowledge and character is the emphasis both on the court and in the classroom,” Robinson said. “Alcorn has an impressive vision for the basketball program and I am looking forward to building a foundation of success. I cannot wait to start working with current players and incoming freshmen.”

Prior to his time at Bethune-Cookman, Robinson spent six seasons at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Kennesaw, Georgia.

While at KSU, Robinson helped the team to transition from Division II to the Division I level of athletics. In just their first season of reclassification, KSU reached the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament semifinals and won more games than any other in NCAA history for a team in reclassification in a four-year period. They would go on to rank amongst the To
p 5 in the mid-major polls.

While at KSU, Robinson helped identify and recruit top-rated athletes. He helped coach the conference’s Freshman of the Year, as well as five members of the all-league team. Robinson coached a total of 14 Players of the Week, with seven players going on to play professionally.

Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from North Georgia College & State University and a master's degree in transformative leadership from Bethune-Cookman University.

Robinson and his wife, Leah have two children, Tezlyn and Montez Jr.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State Wins 10th Women's Outdoor T&F Championship

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
2015 CHAMPIONS

NORMAL, Alabama -- Alabama State University claimed their 10th Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship Sunday at Louis Crews Stadium in Normal, Alabama. The Lady Hornets secured the top spot earning them their fifth consecutive conference outdoor title with a point total of 284. This also marks the third consecutive season that ASU takes home the SWAC Triple Crown (Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track and Field).

Texas Southern finished in second place with 104 points, Prairie View came in third with 100 points, Southern finished fourth with 83 and Grambling State rounded out the top five with 72 points. Arkansas Pine Bluff (57), Alcorn State (50), Alabama A&M (34), Mississippi Valley (22) and Jackson State completed the scoring finishing with 13 points.

Individually, Sydnee Worlds of Arkansas-Pine Bluff earned Most Outstanding Field Performer honor rolling up 26 points through four events.
Artrailia LaSane of Alabama State claimed the Most Outstanding Track Performer accolades for the second straight season, finishing with 36 points. She took first place in the 1500 Run (10) and Steeplechase (10).

Other top finishers included Narricka Williams Ferebee (Alabama State) winning the 100 Meter Hurdles.

FIRST TEAM ALL-SWAC
Alexis Ferebee – Alabama State
Santina Williams – Alabama State
Tatiana Etienne – Alabama State
Artrailia Lesane – Alabama State
Paige Rankin – Alabama State
Narricka Williams – Alabama State
Doenca Bookman – Prairie View
Alicie Terrell – Alabama State
Tyler Anderson – Grambling State
Sydnee Worlds – Arkansas Pine Bluff
Briana Radford – Southern
Georgeanna Felder – Southern
Karina Foster – Texas Southern
Lori Davis - Alabama State
Robyn Hancock – Alabama A&M
Kourtney Lacey – Alabama A&M
Angela Uhegwu – Prairie View
Tatiana David – Alcorn State
Jada Curbea, - Prairie View

SECOND TEAM ALL-SWAC
Dikerria Wilson – Alabama State
Creshonda Carter – Grambling State
Tierra McGowan – Texas Southern
Brandee Ebert – Alabama State
Shakalia Williams – Alabama State
Sydney Edwards – Texas Southern
Sarah Westbrook – Prairie View
Ashley Shepard – Southern
Kadijah Gordon – Alabama State
Kenya Wheeler – Grambling State
Dominique Edwards – Alcorn State
Imani White – Alabama State
Carla Leblanc – Southern
Destiny Thurmond – Alabama A&M

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Grambling State Wins Seventh Straight Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
2015 CHAMPIONS 

NORMAL, Alabama  -- The Grambling State Tigers claimed their seventh straight conference title on Sunday at the 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Louis Crews Stadium. GSU scored 170 points to earn their 11 title overall, earning Bertram Lovell Coach of the Year honors.

Texas Southern finished the meet second with 127 points, while Prairie View was third with 125 points. Jackson State was fourth with 87 points and Mississippi Valley State rounded out the top five with 86 points. Southern was sixth (67 pts), Alcorn State Alabama State eighth tied for seventh (48) with Alabama A&M (41) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (15) closing out the scoring

Individually, Micah Hill of Mississippi Valley State was the championship’s Most Outstanding Field Performer scoring 26 points.

Jesus Hernandez of Grambling State was the meet’s Most Outstanding totaling 27 points.

Other top finishers included Kameron Cowan from Grambling State winning the 100 Meter Dash (10.16) along with his teammate Jameal McTear winning the 200 Meter Dash (20.97). Prairie View’s Michael Prejean finished first in the 110 Meter Hurdles (13.63). D’Andre Lewis of Texas Southern won the 1500 Meter Run with a time of 4:02.90 with Tammarick Johnson of Jackson State claiming the 400 Meter Dash (46.88).

Hernandez (Grambling State) crossed the line first in the 5000 Meter Run (15.55). Ian Williams of Texas Southern took first place in the Men’s Triple Jump with a distance of 49-11.00 (15.21m). Devauntay Brown (Alabama State) matched last season’s mark finishing first in the High Jump 6-09.00 (2.06m), Jawalyn Brooks (Texas Southern) came away with the highest mark in the Pole Vault with 13-11.25 (4.25) topping his mark from last season, while Prairie View’s Sorone Batiste won the 800 Meter Run clocking in at 1:50.14.

FIRST TEAM ALL-SWAC
Kameron Cowan – Grambling State
Jamael McTear – Grambling State
Tamarick Johnson – Jackson State
Sorone Batiste – Prairie View
D’Andre Lewis – Texas Southern
Jesus Hernandez Grambling State
Michael Prejean – Prairie View
Dannie Luckey – Prairie View
Romello Nalepa – Mississippi Valley State
Devauntay Brown – Alabama State
Jawalyn Brooks – Texas Southern
Demetrius Williams – Texas Southern
Ian Williams – Texas Southern
Micah Hill – Mississippi Valley State
Deshaun Allen – Jackson State
Phillip McClain – Grambling State
Afton McClammy – Alabama A&M
Charles Hughes – Alcorn State
Khalil Upshaw – Southern
Darryl Jones – Alcorn State

SECOND TEAM ALL-SWAC 
Keon Campbell – Prairie View
Lloyd Benjamin – Southern
Montieco Harris – Grambling State
Jose Medina – Texas Southern
Bentrell McGee – Jackson State
D’ante Almo – Jackson State
Quin-Tarius Crenshaw – Prairie View
Christopher Amisial – Alabama State
Maurice Buchanan – Alabama State
Chauncey Wells – Grambling State
Samuel Reese – Grambling State
Christopher Bazile – Grambling State
Trauvon Martin – Texas Southern
Lawerence Williams – Southern
Maurice Jones – Alabama A&M

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rush, Nuggets lose 9-0 at NCAA-ranked West Florida

PENSACOLA, Florida -- Xavier University of Louisiana's men's and women's tennis teams lost dual matches Sunday to NCAA Division II-ranked West Florida. Both scores were 9-0.

The Gold Nuggets' Nour Abbes and the Gold Rush's Kyle Montrel both won the second sets of their singles matches at the top flight, then lost third-set super-tiebreakers.

Abbes, a sophomore and the NAIA's top-ranked singles player, lost for just the third time in 48 XU singles decisions. The Argonauts' Laure-Eline Faure defeated Abbes 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 1-0 (10-5).

Montrel lost 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (12-10) to Alex Peyrot.

Montrel and Vincenzo Ciccone also lost a doubles tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-2) to Pablo Borrero and Pablo Tellez at No. 3. Montrel and Ciccone led 8-7 in games and were tied at 2 in the tiebreaker.

Xavier didn't win any other sets. At women's No. 3 doubles, Brion Flowers and Brandi Nelson lost 8-5 to Katarina Dikosavljevic and Giovana Patitucci after leading 5-4.

The duals were the first for the Gold Nuggets (15-9) and Gold Rush (12-7) since March 31. The XU women are ranked seventh in the NAIA, and the men are No. 6.

West Florida's women (25-3) are No. 8 in NCAA Division II, and the men (24-3) are No. 2.

The Nuggets and Rush will learn if they qualify for the NAIA National Championship with at-large bids after a coaches poll is announced next Sunday. Another coaches poll will be announced Tuesday.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorXULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Baylor College of Medicine Partners with Texas Southern University to Provide Healthcare for Student Athletes

HOUSTON, Texas -- Sports medicine physicians at Baylor College of Medicine are now the official team physicians for Texas Southern University men’s and women’s athletic teams.

Through this new collaboration, Baylor Sports Medicine physicians will handle all aspects of TSU’s team medical care, including on-site injury evaluation and assessment, treatment and follow-up clinic visits. Baylor physicians and athletic trainers from both Baylor and TSU will be on the field, court, and track for TSU home and away football games as well as men’s and women’s basketball and track events.

“I am excited to introduce the expertise and resources of our multidisciplinary sports medicine team to the student-athletes at TSU,” said Dr. Theodore Shybut, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Baylor, who travelled with the men’s basketball team to the NCAA tournament last month. “Our goal is the provision of high value, individualized, evidence-based care, with a strong emphasis on injury prevention and innovative treatment of sports injuries. We are honored to partner with another landmark Houston institution and we look forward to developing a program that enhances student-athlete health and achievement.”

“We are extremely excited to have the expertise of the Baylor College of Medicine sports physicians and athletic trainers in the care and prevention of injuries for our student-athletes,” said Dr. Charles McClelland, vice president for intercollegiate athletics at TSU. “Baylor College of Medicine has a reputation of providing high quality and personalized patient care, they bring the latest technology and treatment to the forefront of patient care and their doctors are among the best.”

“We are thrilled about this new collaboration with the TSU Department of Athletics and look forward to working alongside their staff,” said Dr. Thomas Hunt, chair of orthopedic surgery at Baylor. “Baylor sports medicine combines excellence in multidisciplinary patient-centered care with cutting-edge prevention and treatment strategies to help TSU student athletes attain their goals like never before.”

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MVSU Opens the Student-Athletic Academic Success Center (SAASC)

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State University's athletic department has a great reason to celebrate, the grand opening of the Student-Athlete Academic Success Center.

For the first time in the history of athletics at "The Valley" the student-athletes have a learning center and a staff on hand to assist them in their studies. Ms. Sherese Parker, who serves as the Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services/Senior Women Administrator, leads the SAASC staff.

"The opening of the Student-Athlete Academic Success Center today was phenomenal! It has been a much anticipated event, and to have our NCAA partners on campus today to share in the opening, made it an even greater occasion," said Ms. Parker.

Parker also stated, "This center will be is a critical component in the continued academic success of our student-athletes. Being able to have academic support staff (counselors, a learning specialist, interns and tutors) in the same centralized area will make it easier for students to connect with academic resources. This will add to the proactive strategies being put into place to improve our current APR and maintain (and surpass) the NCAA requirements. I am excited for the future of athletic academic services here are Mississippi Valley, and even more elated for the student-athletes it will serve."

Student-athletes, representing every sport, were present and given an opportunity to speak candidly with the NCAA representatives as a part of the day festivities. There were a few seniors present during a roundtable with the NCAA staff, however they were just as excited about the changes as the underclassmen.

"Today was a great day in "The Valley" for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and athletics stakeholders to see a promise fulfilled. The Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) grant has solidified the vision of Dr. Bynum and Mrs. Ford-Kee for our program. It was a privilege to see the reactions on the students and coaches faces as they walked into the center, commented Ms. K. Renia Edwards, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Affairs.

"Ms. Parker and her staff will be able to engage the student-athletes in several different mediums to enhance their academic, social and professional development during their time at MVSU. This will help in our recruiting efforts and enhance our graduation rates in the future. A special thanks to the Oversight Committee, the faculty and staff that serve in the roles of certifying our student-athletes to represent MVSU with pride," stated Edwards.

Today was a day of smiles and celebration in "The Valley" and it shall be remembered for years to come. The student-athletes were able to see that the department and NCAA are deeply invested in their education and future success.

Mrs. Dianthia Ford-Kee (Athletic Director) said, "Today was a historic moment in MVSU athletics for our student-athletes. We wanted to commemorate the grand opening of our new Student-Athlete Academic Success Center in a manner that our student-athletes would not forget. Having the grand opening [of the center] while the NCAA AASP Grant Team was on campus, meeting about our progress in Year 1 of the initiative would prove to be a highlight of their visit. It also provided the NCAA AASP Grant Team the opportunity to witness the impact of the grant resources to transform the space within the Academic Skills Parlor into a new computer lab, tutorial lab, lounge area, office space for the staff and meeting space."

Ford-Kee finished with, "I'm proud of my staff and the members of the Oversight Committee for supporting the vision as well as the collaborative effort being done to bring about change to improve academic support services for our athletes. The grant resources will continue to make a difference in the academic success of our student-athletes for years to come."

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION