NSU Spartans, Suffolk native to play vs. Norfolk Tides‎

Head Coach Claudell Clark and the Norfolk State Spartans will play an exhibition game against the Norfolk Tides, the triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:15 pm at Harbor Park. Tickets for the event are $5.00, ($3.00 for students) with all proceeds from the contest going towards the NSU Spartans baseball program.

When Norfolk State’s baseball team gets to play the Norfolk Tides in an exhibition game at Harbor Park Tuesday night, it’ll be just one more reason why Suffolk native John Rasberry’s happy he’s worked and played his way to Norfolk State and the Spartan baseball squad. Rasberry was a standout outfielder and pitcher at Lakeland until transferring to Greenbrier Christian in Chesapeake as a junior.

With the Gators, Rasberry was a two-time all-Tidewater Conference and All-State (Virginia Independent Schools) player and on a state-championship Greenbrier club while hitting .475 in his senior season. Rasberry went to college and played ball for two years at Delaware Tech Community College before being recruited and coming to Norfolk State. Getting the chance to play Division I baseball was certainly one goal. Coming back close to home is a huge bonus.

“I’ve been away the past couple years. It’s great now playing in front of faces I know basically every home game. People who, for my whole life, have been cheering me on, are able to watch me play. It’s really fun,” Rasberry said. As the starting leftfielder and leadoff hitter for the Spartans, Rasberry’s hitting .371 (26-for-70) with 18 runs, three doubles, two homers, six stolen bases and 12 RBI.

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"We are really excited to welcome Norfolk State to Harbor Park for this exhibition game" said Tides President Ken Young. "This is a great opportunity for fans to catch their first glimpse of the 2010 Tides in action, and hopefully this is the start of a long-term relationship with an institution that is very important in the Hampton Roads community."

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to compete against the Norfolk Tides," Norfolk State head baseball coach Claudell Clark said. "The game will give our baseball program greater exposure in the Tidewater area as well as serving as a key fundraiser for us. We look forward to making the event a success each year."

This game supplants the annual exhibition game the Tides had played against the Old Dominion University Monarchs.

Jeffries Named South Carolina State University Head Coach Emeritus‎

"I accept this honor and role with great humility, not just for myself but for all the young men I've coached."

Former South Carolina State football coach Willie Jeffries, who attained legendary status at his alma mater before retiring nine years ago, has been named Head Football Coach Emeritus at the school where he won more football games than any other coach. A recommendation from SC State athletics director Charlene Johnson and President George Cooper to elevate Jeffries to "Emeritus" status was approved by the university's Board of Trustees at its February 26 meeting.

Not only will Jeffries wear a new title, the former Bulldog coach will also serve as a liaison between the university, its alumni and other constituents and also help market the university.

"Coach Jeffries and his wide appeal to so many of our stakeholders and other constituents provide us a great opportunity to brand and market the University," Dr. Cooper said. "He can help us frame relationships that will increase support for athletics." "Coach Jeffries is truly admired by so many," said Johnson, "Not just for his achievements in athletics, but also for his humanitarian contributions to this community, this state and society."

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HU sophomore hits four homers in one softball game

Four home runs would make a good month for many players. But for Hampton University shortstop Rebecca Magett, they came in one game -- not surprisingly, a school record. Magett, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Mich., enjoyed the best day of her softball career in Game 2 of a home doubleheader Friday. She capped it with a game-winning two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 10-9 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore.

Magett was 4-for-5 with four runs and five RBI, countering the five RBI produced by UMES catcher Ashley Johnson. HU overcame an 8-3 deficit. Hampton (13-21, 2-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) won the opener 9-1.Magett was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI, Nina Ferguson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Jada Jefferies pitched a four-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks.

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ASU announces 2010 football schedule‎

MONTGOMERY, AL – Six home games and nine Southwestern Athletic Conference games highlight the 2010 edition of the Alabama State University football schedule. The Hornets open the season on Sept. 4 against SWAC rival Mississippi Valley State at Cramton Bowl. ASU continues its season-opening home stand Sept. 11 versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff before closing the month with a pair of road contests at Prairie View A&M (Sept. 18) and Alcorn State (Sept. 25).

The month of October brings Bama State home to start with an Oct. 2 tilt against Texas Southern. ASU visits Grambling State on Oct. 9 before earning the first of its two bye weeks of the season. Following the open date, Alabama State hosts Savannah State on Oct. 23, for the first of just two non-conference games on the schedule. ASU concludes the month Oct. 30 versus rival Alabama A&M in the 69th annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. The SWAC Football Championship game is slated for Dec. 11 at Legion Field.

Alabama State University Hornets 2010 Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATON TIME

9/11/10 Mississippi Valley State, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

9/12/10 Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

9/18/10 Prairie View A&M, Prairie View, TX, 12 pm

9/25/10 Alcorn State, Lorman, MS, 2 pm

10/2/10 Texas Southern, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

10/9/10 Grambling State, Grambling, LA, 4 pm

10/23/10 Savannah State, Cramton Bowl, 1 pm

10/30/10 Alabama A&M, Birmingham, AL, 2:30 pm

11/6/10 Jackson State, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

11/13/10 Southern, Baton Rouge, LA, 5:30 pm

11/25/10 Tuskegee, Cramton Bowl, 1 pm

Foot race heats up as FAMU seeks starting punter‎

There is no mystery to what carries a lot of weight as special teams coach Juan Vasquez tries to find out which of two competing punters will have the edge after Florida A&M spring football practice. "We want the ball punted 40 yards, four seconds hang time," Vasquez said. "Whoever can do that more consistently is going to be it." Unlike coach Joe Taylor's first two seasons when there was little competition for the punting job, Branden Holdren is being challenged by Justin Moore. As the incumbent, Holdren came into spring practice as the one to beat.

Holdren, who was recruited last season, was pressed into punting after Troy Walker left the program, heading off what might have been an intense showdown. Moore came in just before the start of camp last season and, instead of trying to play catch up, waited behind Holdren. So here they are, as each tries to prove that he can handle the job best. Holdren's experience makes him the front-runner, but Vasquez doesn't appear willing to stop there.

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Fred Kraiss: Back home at Hampton University

Baltimore, Maryland native Fred Kraiss is Hampton University Pirates new offensive coordinator. Coach Kraiss previously served as OC at Tennessee State University (2006-2009; 1997-1999, special teams and WR coach); Hampton University (OC, 2001-2006); 1993 special teams coach, Southern University; and Morgan State University (1992), OC, quarterback and receivers coach.

Fred Kaiss didn't want to leave Hampton University to begin with, but getting him back didn't prove to be a hard sell. Kaiss, the Pirates' former offensive coordinator who left the school in 2006 after clashing with then-coach Joe Taylor, is back on the HU sidelines for longtime assistant Donovan Rose's second season as head coach. "I’ve known him, and I’ve always been cordial with him," Rose said. "When he left, that was between him and Coach. I don’t have anything to do with that. I had no problem. His wife and my wife are friends. It was a real good relationship. I called him, and he said, 'Hey coach, I’d love to work with you.'"

It wasn't the first call Kaiss received from Hampton. "(Former HU coach) Jerry Holmes had called me numerous times, and I love (Holmes), but the timing wasn’t right," said Kaiss, who was in his second stint at Tennessee State when Rose called. "It just wasn’t right. It was imperative that I bring certain assistants with me and I get certain things promised." Those assistants - offensive line coach Charles Huff and quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris - are now at HU with Kaiss, and the new OC is expecting big things for a program that has fallen from the heights of three straight MEAC championships from 2004 to 2006.

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Early Impressions of Hampton University Spring Football

Jeremiah Schwartz, a transfer from Iowa State, is in the Pirates RB mix. The 5-11/232 redshirt sophomore had 71 carries, 274 yards (3.7 avg) and 1 reception, 30 yards in eight games with the Cyclones. He was number two on the depth chart at RB for ISU. At Orlando Edgewater High School, Schwartz rushed for over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, with more than 100 yards receiving ... received all-metro, all-county, and Florida Sports Writers Association first-team Class 6A all-state honors for his senior campaign ... sixth-rated back according to Scout.com ... Florida 6A Player-of-the-Year finalist ... honor roll student ... commited to Iowa State over Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia and Colorado.

The quarterback competition isn't much of one right now because of a lingering injury, the starting running back job is wide open, and the many new faces include a handful of transfers and a revamped coaching staff. There are plenty of questions greeting the start of spring football at Hampton University, but also a sense of optimism that filled the air like the abundant sunshine on Wednesday afternoon.

Under head coach Donovan Rose's watchful gaze, players ran agility drills on the turf at Armstrong Stadium. Quarterback Herb Bynes, who had offseason surgery on the ankle that bothered him all of last year, was on the field wearing a red jersey, but David Legree, who split time behind center last season, did almost all of the throwing. "He practices as he can," Rose said of Bynes, who threw for 987 yards and eight touchdowns after setting school records with 2,713 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.

"No hitting drills. Every now and then he’ll throw, but we don’t give him a lot. ... David right now is the guy. He’s healthy and he’s taking all the reps basically. Herb is hurt still, but I think he’ll be healthy when he comes back (in the fall). To me, the best guy plays, and I think it’s good that both of them are strong candidates." Legree, a transfer from Syracuse threw for 803 yards and seven TDs last year.

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