Saturday, February 23, 2008

NCCU's Futrell an inspiration

Photo: Charles Futrell, 6-6/205 forward, senior, Fayetteville, NC, major: Mathematics/Computer Science.

DURHAM -- Even after another defeat, even when N.C. Central’s basketball season seemingly couldn’t get worse, Charles Futrell smiles. It’s the kind of smile that comes with perspective.

To have it, you have to look past the Eagles’ 3-25 record, the 17-game losing streak, the 65-point loss at Duke and the ugly 28-point offensive output at Nebraska. You have to look more at a day in December, when freshman guard Michael Glasker returned from the holiday break and told teammates that his best friend had been shot and killed back home, on Christmas Eve of all days.

The first player to offer condolences was Futrell, who said simply, “I understand.”

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

UAPB Golden Lions knock off SEMO in 2008 opener

Now this is the way you start a season.

Traditionally slow starters, Arkansas-Pine Bluff bucked that trend Friday as the Golden Lions outlasted Southeast Missouri State 4-2 in nine innings in their season opener at Taylor Field.

Daniel Gathright (1-0) earned the victory on the mound by pitching three scoreless innings of relief and UAPB (1-0) managed to overcome six errors in the contest to get the win. Justin Moring started the game for UAPB. The junior pitched six innings and gave up two runs — neither of which was earned — to go along with three hits and four strikeouts.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Atkins is off to good start for Alabama A&M Bulldogs

AAMU QB does well on first dayof spring practice

Kevin Atkins jogged off the field smiling.

A rising sophomore on the Alabama A&M football team, Atkins is the heir apparent to quarterback Kelcy Luke. After Friday's first day of spring practice, all seemed right in Atkins' world. "It went pretty good," said the 6-0, 213-pounder out of Durham, N.C. "I've got to prove to my teammates and my coaches I can lead this team and be the starter. I don't want to get too comfortable or too relaxed.

"I'm going to stay hungry every day and try to get better."

Atkins and Jared Loftin will battle for the starting job this spring. While Atkins played in five games, Loftin, a redshirt sophomore from Troy, has yet to play in a college football game.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Cobb appeal denied by SCSU

The news came quicker than David Cobb expected Thursday morning.

Upon reading the letter from the Student-Athlete Appeals Committee, it did not take long for Cobb to realize that his South Carolina State basketball career was truly over.

Less than 24 hours after holding a hearing requested by Cobb in regards to his dismissal from the men's basketball team, the five-member committee denied his appeal for reinstatement. Speaking on behalf of the committee, NCAA Faculty Representative Clemmie Hill said they 'supported' the decision by SCSU men's basketball coach Tim Carter to dismiss him following an incident after the loss to Coppin State game on Feb. 9.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Elliott leaves SCSU football staff for Furman

Photo: New Furman University Wide Receiver coach Antonio (Tony) Elliott.

South Carolina State football head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough confirmed Friday afternoon that Bulldogs wide receivers coach Tony Elliott had left to take the same position at Furman.

"It's a big loss for us," Pough said. "He has done a tremendous job, built great relationships with the kids and is an all-around quality guy. When you lose a guy of that quality it's tough, but we are going to try to replace him with somebody just as good or better."

Elliott spent the past two years at SCSU, and was a graduate of Clemson University where joined the Tiger football program as a walk-on. He lettered all four years at Clemson and was voted team captain in 2003. As a senior, Elliott caught 23 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in helping Clemson to a 9-4 record that included a 27-14 Peach Bowl victory over sixth-ranked Tennessee.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

NSU’s success yields renewed enthusiasm

Photo: Junior Michael Deloach #2, makes move against NCA&T. The 6-0/175 guard is from Bonner Academy, Rocky Mount, N.C.

NORFOLK - There is already tangible evidence that the basketball team is moving the needle. The hotel rooms the school bought in blocks for the MEAC tournament next month are already filled up.

Donations have increased, too, according to Kim Walton, director of the school’s alumni relations department. Normally, 8.2 percent of the university’s graduates contribute money. This year, Phillip Adams, vice president of university advancement, said Norfolk State should be able to realize its goal of securing financial contributions from 10 percent of alumni.

The school’s fundraising campaign, coincidentally, is titled “Winning Season.”

The student community and alumni are gradually embracing the Spartans, who are tied for first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as they prepare to face South Carolina State this afternoon in Orangeburg, S.C.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

This 4 p.m. game will be televised live on ESPN Classic, Norfolk State University Spartans vs. South Carolina State University Bulldogs.

UCF Baseball Pounds Out 17 Runs in Opening-Day Win over FAMU

Photo: FAMU starting pitcher Cirilo Manego had a difficult day on the mound pitching 2.1 innings, giving up 12 hits, 10 runs and 3 strikeouts to UCF Knights.

Knights defeat Rattlers, 17-1, to tie school record for most runs in a season-opener.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A festive crowd of 1,282 ventured to Opening Day at Jay Bergman Field Friday and had a lot to cheer about as UCF routed Florida A&M, 17-1. The Knights' 17 runs tied a school record for most in a season-opener, as they also accomplished the feat vs. Rollins in 1998.

Senior Jaager Good (1-0) got the start for the Black and Gold and gave up just two hits and struck out eight in 5.2 innings of work, including striking out the side in the first. At the dish, senior Dwayne Bailey came one hit shy of matching the school mark for hits in a game, as he went 5-for-5 with four runs scored. Meanwhile, senior Tyson Auer tied his career high by scoring four runs as well.

"As long as you win by one run, it's a W," said head coach Jay Bergman, who enters his 26th season with UCF. "I thought we played very well tonight, particularly defensively, and Jaager was in control of his game. The team played with a lot of enthusiasm and what we call synergy."

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.