Defense Shines in Howard U. Spring Game‎

Howard University Bison head football coach Carey Bailey

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although the defense was able to make more outstanding plays, the offense had some bright spots in the Annual Howard University spring football game at Greene Stadium. Led by its linebacking corp headed up by Keith Pough, the Bison defense was able to force turnovers and make some sterling plays during the controlled scrimmage. A 6-3, 225-pound red-shirt sophomore from Orangeburg, SC, Pough picked up where he left off last season before missing the last three games with a knee injury. He had two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery while creating havoc for the Howard offense.

“He’s beginning to see things better from a defensive standpoint,” said Howard Coach Carey Bailey. “Now he is able to anticipate and read plays before they develop. He is performing at a high level.” Bailey was also quick to praise the play of the linebacking unit of sophomore Chase Mitchell, red-shirt freshman Clinton Gidron, red-shirt senior Jermell Eliis and transfer Kurt Mangum. “They played well today and have had an outstanding spring,” said Bailey.

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FAMU Lady Netters Bow Out of MEAC TOURNEY to HOWARD

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Howard To Hold Spring Game

Howard Women's Tennis Sweeps Honors as It Prepares for Tournament

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Fort Lauderdale student learning business of NASCAR

Former football player's mother describes losing son to prescription drug abuse

Justina McIntyre holds a photo of her son, the late Ronald L. Powell III as Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman looks on Wednesday. Powell was a Fulbright Scholar at Tennessee State University.

Montgomery County, PA - As a standout football player at Souderton Area High School and Fulbright Scholar at Tennessee State University, Ronald Powell III had a lot going for him. But the 19-year-old kept addiction to painkillers a secret, and he died in 2008 of an overdose. The teenager’s parents, Justina and Daniel McIntyre, were devastated by Powell’s death. “Receiving that phone call was the worst day of my life,” Justina McIntyre said.

On Wednesday, the Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman held a press conference to announce a prescription drug collection program scheduled for Saturday. Powell’s road to addiction began not with buying illegal drugs on street, but from a nursing home co-worker who had given him painkillers to try. “As a parent, I truly believe my son did not realize that his choice of taking Vicodin would take him where it did,” McIntyre said.

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Holy Cross Names Milan Brown (HU Alum) Head Men's Basketball Coach

What can BROWN do for you?

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College of the Holy Cross has named Milan Brown as its new head men's basketball coach, athletic director Richard M. Regan, Jr., announced. Brown becomes the 16th head coach in the history of the program, joining the Crusaders after spending the last seven seasons as head coach at Mount St. Mary's. Holy Cross has signed Brown to a five-year contract, with an option for a sixth season. He will be formally introduced at a press conference next week.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to come to Holy Cross and to try to lead the program back to the top of the Patriot League," said Brown. "My family and I are really pleased about the move, and I cannot wait to get started. I would also like to thank Mr. Regan, Fr. McFarland and the search committee, for entrusting me with leading these young men both on and off the court."

During the last three years at Mount St. Mary's, Brown led the Mountaineers to three straight winning seasons and a pair of postseason appearances. His teams posted a 54-44 record (.551) during those three years, including a 35-19 mark (.648) in Northeast Conference play. Defense was a staple of Brown's squads, as the Mountaineers allowed just 64.7 points per game and 41.7 percent field goal shooting over the last three seasons, while holding their opposition to under 70 points in 72 out of 98 games. During the 2007-2008 campaign, Brown led Mount St. Mary's to the first NCAA Division I Tournament victory in school history, with a 69-60 win over Coppin State in the opening round.

"We spent a lot of time on this search," said Regan. "We were very focused on hiring someone with head coaching experience, and we were very impressed with Milan both as a coach and a person. We were particularly pleased with the outstanding recommendations we received from a most important source - several coaches who coached against him over the past few years. One thing that was clear, both from his records and what those coaches told us, is that his players defend very well and they play very hard for him. We think that is particularly appropriate for the players in this program right now."

During the 2009-2010 season, Brown's Mount St. Mary's team posted an overall record of 16-15, and finished third in the Northeast Conference with a 12-6 mark in league games. The Mountaineers led the Northeast Conference and ranked 48th in the nation by allowing only 63.2 points per game. Mount St. Mary's also posted an 11-game winning streak from Jan. 28-March 4, the second-longest streak in the school's Division I history, and advanced to the semifinals of the Northeast Conference Tournament. In addition, the Mountaineers non-conference strength of schedule ranked as the 25th hardest in the nation.

In 2008-2009, Brown's squad went 19-14 overall and 12-6 in the Northeast Conference, placing second in the league. The Mountaineers advanced to the Northeast Conference championship game, before suffering a tough 48-46 loss on the road to Robert Morris. Mount St. Mary's was then selected to play in the College Insider Tournament, where it fell at James Madison 69-58 in the first round.

During the 2007-2008 campaign, Brown led the Mountaineers to their first winning record in 11 seasons, posting an overall mark of 19-15. Mount St. Mary's finished the regular season in fourth place in the Northeast Conference with an 11-7 mark in league games, before running off three straight victories to claim the NEC Tournament title. Included during that tournament run were an 83-65 victory at Robert Morris in the semifinals, and a 68-55 win at Sacred Heart in the championship game. The Mountaineers then took down Coppin State (69-60) in the NCAA opening round, before falling to North Carolina (113-74) in their next game.

Brown took over as the head coach at Mount St. Mary's in 2003-2004, and led his team to its first Northeast Conference Tournament appearance since 1998-1999 during his first season. By his third year in 2005-2006, the Mountaineers finished fourth in the Northeast Conference with an 11-7 record, good for their highest finish in the league since 1996-1997. Following the 2005-2006 campaign, Brown was selected as the Northeast Conference's Coach of the Year by College Insider. He then directed Mount St. Mary's to another fourth place finish in the NEC in 2006-2007, with a 9-9 mark in conference games.

Before serving as the head coach at Mount St. Mary's, Brown had two stints as an assistant coach for the Mountaineers under Jim Phelan. He was the associate head coach at Mount St. Mary's during the 2002-2003 campaign, after serving as an assistant coach from 1997-2000. During the 1998-1999 campaign, Brown helped lead the Mountaineers to the Northeast Conference Tournament crown and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

From 2000-2002, Brown was an assistant coach at William & Mary under Rick Boyages. He previously served as an assistant under Jeff Capel at Old Dominion from 1995-1997, helping lead the Monarchs to a combined record of 40-24 over two seasons. In 1996-1997, the Monarchs won both the Colonial Athletic Association regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Brown began his coaching career in 1994-1995 as an assistant at Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Va., where he helped lead the team to a 23-7 record and the state championship.

A 1993 graduate of Howard University with a bachelor's degree in marketing, Brown earned All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors his senior year after averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 assists per game. He currently ranks second on the Bison's all-time career list for assists with 445, and scored 1,102 career points. Brown led Howard to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles during the 1991-1992 season, earning All-MEAC Tournament honors. He was then named the CBS Player of the Game for the Bison's contest with Kansas in the 1992 NCAA Tournament. Brown had his number at Howard retired in December of 2005.

The son of Charles and Pamela Brown, he is the oldest of three children. His brother, Morocco, played football at North Carolina State, and is the director of pro personnel for the Washington Redskins. His other brother, Marseille, played basketball at both Richmond and Hampton, advancing to the NCAA Tournament at each school.

Brown, who turned 39 in January, and his wife Tina have two daughters (Nyla and Sanaa).

ASU Black & Gold game set for Saturday‎

QB Devin Dominguez

The Alabama State University football team will hold its Black & Gold game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hornet Stadium. The annual game, which concludes the spring practice session for the ASU football program, caps off a full slate of activities at Alabama State. The day begins with ASU's 16th annual President's Golf Classic, a fundraising event that tees off at 8 a.m. on the Senator Course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Prattville. HornetFest, which includes free food and a variety of family activities, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at Hornet Stadium, to be followed by an ASU Alumni flag football game. In addition, the ASU baseball team hosts Savannah State at 1 p.m. at Paterson Field. We are thrilled to be a part of such an exciting weekend at Alabama State," ASU head football coach Reggie Barlow said. "Hornet fans will have a lot of events to enjoy... . It looks like it will be a fun-filled Saturday for all ASU supporters."

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Southern University Mitchell set to go 'Stumping Thru the South'

Although first-year Southern football coach Stump Mitchell has already earned a reputation as a workaholic — players and other coaches have noticed his car in the A.W. Mumford Stadium parking lot late at night and early in the morning — Mitchell has also become something of a man about town. During basketball season, he regularly watched games inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Last week, he threw out the first pitch at softball and baseball games, and for much of the past two months, he has checked in on Roger Cador’s team at Lee-Hines Field.

Saturday afternoon, Mitchell and some of his players volunteered their time and muscle, moving hurdles and equipment during the Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays. For the rest of the month, however, Mitchell will become a man about several towns. Following through on a promise he made earlier this spring, Mitchell confirmed he’ll join the Southern University Alumni Federation on “Stumping Thru the South,” a tour through six cities in Louisiana and Texas later this month, with two more dates in May.



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Texas Southern's Reid college career marked by tirade, injury‎

Texas Southern University quarterback Bobby Reid

While some potential NFL players are eagerly waiting for their name to be called on draft day, beginning April 22, most players are waiting just for a chance to make a team. Texas Southern quarterback Bobby Reid is one of those players just searching for an opportunity. Reid tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee during the 2008 season with the Texas Southern Tigers, missed all of the 2009 season rehabbing it and now is ready to take his career to the next level.

Reid is mainly known for being the spark of Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's "I'm a man. I'm 40" rant in 2007. After that season, Reid transferred to Texas Southern, after toying with the idea of entering the NFL Draft. His preparation has included working out at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney in February, participating in Pro Days at Texas Southern and LSU, and even throwing passes to former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant during Bryant's workout for scouts last month in Lufkin. On Tuesday, Reid's agent, Brian Overstreet, said the quarterback has worked out for the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans since LSU's Pro Day.

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Prairie View A&M's Cooper-Dyke Chooses to Exit UHouston Search

Updated: 4/17/10, 12:05 AM - HOUSTON, TX - College basketball sources told FOX 26 Sports that Prairie View A&M University women's basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has removed her name from consideration to become the next women's head coach at the University of Houston.

Sources told FOX 26 that Cooper-Dyke decided it was in her best interest to remain with the Lady Panthers program where she has done a sensational job since 2005. Prior to her arrival, the women's team at Prairie View A&M had never had a winning season.

(Translation: Cooper-Dyke learned that this opportunity wasn't a good fit for her career path)
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HOUSTON, TX - College basketball sources told FOX 26 Sports on Tuesday that the search for a new women's basketball coach at the University of Houston is picking up steam. Sources told FOX 26 that UH officials will meet this week in Houston with three candidates -- all of them are current head coaches. They are Prairie View A&M's Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Todd Buchanan from Houston Baptist University and Jodi Kest from University of Akron.

Sources told FOX 26 that UH officials are not at the stage where they are labeling these candidates as finalists for the job. Cooper-Dyke, recently elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has been the head coach at Prairie View A&M since 2005. Prior to her arrival, the Lady Panthers never had a winning season. In the last five years, Cooper-Dyke has led Prairie View to three SWAC regular season titles, earning two trips to the NCAA Tournament and two trips to the Women's NIT. Cooper-Dyke is a former star with the Houston Comets. She led them to four consecutive WNBA titles.

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Coach Kevin Nickleberry expected to land at University of Hawaii

Coach Kevin Nickleberry will soon be landing on the University of Hawaii Rainbow staff.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin and ESPN are reporting today, that Kevin Nickleberry is expected to join the staff as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Rainbows new head coach Gib Arnold was hired on March 19, 2010. The former University of Southern California assistant coach (Arnold) is one of the elite recruiters in all of college basketball bringing top-caliber talent to USC. Gibson was the lead recruiter for former Trojan standouts DeMar DeRozan and Taj Gibson, who were selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. View Video

Kevin Nickleberry is currently in Africa--coaching the Libya National Basketball Team. Arnold said he has offered one of his assistant coaching positions to Nickleberry, but details are still be worked out. The former Prince George's County, Maryland product has made coaching stops at seven schools between South Carolina and Massachusetts. Nickleberry is the former men's head basketball coach at Hampton University (2006-09). He resigned after three seasons and has held assistant coaching positions at Clemson, North Carolina -Charlotte, Holy Cross, Monmouth, Howard and Columbia Union. Coach Nickleberry is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University.

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NSU Spartans' defense focuses on safety issues this spring‎

NORFOLK, VA - Backing up Terrell Whitehead wasn’t the most demanding job a Norfolk State football player could’ve had last season. The All-American free safety, who led the team in interceptions and passes broken up and was second in tackles, rarely came off the field. That left few opportunities for the No. 2 man , redshirt sophomore DeVonte Reynolds. “I’d get a couple of reps per game,” he said. “Mostly, I played special teams.”

NSU head football coach Pete Adrian said Dwight Fluker-Berry, 6-2, 200-pound senior, is one of the team’s most versatile players. “He’s not a bad cover guy, and he’s a big physical guy who can come up and make a tackle.”

Reynolds played them well, becoming one of the Spartans’ top kick-coverage guys. Now, he’s in the mix to replace Whitehead, a task that is considerably more challenging than being his understudy. “To replace Terrell, that’s tough,” he said. “He played all over the field and had great instincts. Me, I’m still learning.” The learning curve has been steep for both Reynolds and Dwight Fluker-Berry, who are vying for the starting free safety job. Reynolds has two years in the system under his belt. Fluker-Berry is returning to safety after playing receiver last year.

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Prairie View prepares to defend SWAC championship

The Panthers annual Spring game is scheduled at 5 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010 at Blackshear Stadium.

Spring football is well underway on the campus of Prairie View A&M University as the Panther football team suited up in full pads after several days of non-contact action.
“I think we’re where we need to be as far as team intensity,” said head coach Henry Frazier III. “The intensity level is extremely high as we’re preaching to the guys about not resting on their laurels and giving maximum effort. I’m definitely impressed with the effort we’re displaying right now.”

After an offseason that featured several players receiving individual accolades for their success on the field, Frazier and staff have also spent a considerable amount of time on team unity as the Panthers prepare to defend their title for the upcoming season. “When you return the bulk of your team you just want to make sure everyone is on the same page,” said Frazier. “We don’t want jealousy or anything like it to creep in so as long as we’re together we have the ability to do something special in 2010.”

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Help Wanted (FAMU): Division I Transfer QB

Coach Joe Taylor, looks over his players in the FAMU athletic complex weight room.

If Martin Ukpai is "the man" coming out of Spring football practice, Rattler football fans just as well take out "Help Wanted Ads" in Division I Collegiate newspapers around the nation.

The Rattlers are in trouble--Ukpai is the man with no reliable back up or experience in the quarterbacking corps. Is there another talented strong armed Curtis Pulley type running/throwing quarterback available? What other team in the MEAC could Ukpai, Eddie Battle and Austin Trainor sit at 1-2-3?

It's a safe bet to say not at Hampton; not at Morgan State and definitely not at two-time MEAC champion South Carolina State. Maybe, North Carolina A&T because the Aggies have a Blue Death, lights-out defense. The others, doesn't matter. They are all perennial losers going no where fast toward a conference championship.

But with one bad hit or a high ankle sprain in the season opener at the University of Miami, the Rattlers may be in for a long, losing season, unless transfer quarterback help is on the way. Remember, both Curtis Pulley and Eddie Battle were injured last season and the Rattlers lost 0-25 in a blowout to lowly Hampton (5-6, 3-5 MEAC), whereas, a Rattlers win over the Pirates would have placed a possible 9-2 Rattler team in an at-large NCAA FCS Playoffs spot.

Why risk the 2010 season on a weak quarterbacking corps that may not make it past Miami. Is Coach Joe Taylor becoming a gambling man? I have all the admiration and respect for Coach Taylor, the 3rd ranked winningest coach in Division I FCS football, even though he has not won one playoff game in his career and last won the MEAC championship in 2006.

With a five year contract at $237,000 annually (which is really pocket change for all Division I FBS head coaches at Miami, Florida, Florida State, U Central Florida, S. Florida, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, etc.), Coach Taylor gets paid for winning championships and graduating student-athletes. A career record of 214-84-4 is very impressive; however, with no playoff wins or an NCAA championship on this resume, it doesn't say much to the Rattler Nation. Legendary status in Rattlers lore is gained by winning championships, like previous FAMU coaches named Gaither and Hubbard.

However, Coach Taylor and his staff are to be commended for graduating nearly all of its student-athletes on time in employable major fields of study. Definitely, in the classroom the Rattlers are well on their way to become national academic champions.

As the Marching 100 plays Janet Jackson's "What have you done for me lately," it makes you scream -- "talented Division I quarterback wanted for 2010 Rattler football team that has all other pieces in place for a 2010 MEAC and NCAA Division I FCS championship run." One stud quarterback like Curtis Pulley at FAMU, deserves another....an another.

I am beyond being patient or hoping we make it with one young, talented quarterback named Ukpai. Too much is at stake in 2010; next year is this year and April is like September. Time for Rattler Nation to rise up and demand championships from this highly paid coaching staff. Season records of 8-3 and 9-2 are no longer acceptable if it guarantees a seat at home during the NCAA national championship playoffs.

Aren't you tired of watching other brands named Appalachian State, Elon, William and Mary, Richmond, Villanova, Delaware, Montana, Weber State, McNeese State and New Hampshire in the championship race, while we are not even in the conversation? If you are not, there were more than 6,500 die hard Rattler fans out for the Spring game that want the FAMU Rattlers to join the 2010 championship race.

If we don't join the race soon, upstarts like Old Dominion, Georgia State and MEAC newcomer North Carolina Central will be knocking on the championship doors before our coaching staff can ask, what happened? (beepbeep)

Will Martin Ukpai go where no other Rattlers quarterback has gone since 1978, or will he become just another name soon to be forgotten in Rattlers history? Ukpai will pen his own football legacy beginning on Sept. 4, 2010 against the University of Miami Hurricanes at Landshark Stadium.

We celebrate you winning the starting quarterback role, Mr. Ukpai. This 1978 National Championship Coke drink is for you (with me drinking it) and the 2010 Rattlers who aspire to win championships.

Ukpai earns starting QB role for the Rattlers

With just two more practices remaining before Florida A&M wraps up spring workouts, coach Joe Taylor came away from Saturday morning's scrimmage naming Martin Ukpai as the team's starting quarterback. Taylor said he also saw huge improvements with the rest of the team, which had left several questions after last Saturday's spring game. "I thought we ran the ball better, Ukpai had did a better job, I saw leadership from (Chris) Sands and the offense line communicating," Taylor said. "We really got better as a result of that spring game last weekend."

Ukpai, who spent the spring competing with Eddie Battle and Austin Trainor, looked like the one to beat from the opening series of plays. A part from a high snap to start an 80-yard drive that ended with a deep pass to walk-on receiver Brian Tyms, Ukpai was almost flawless working against the second-team defense. "He has so much athleticism; he just has to learn how to use it," Taylor said. "We have to get him to tuck that ball away. He has to stop dancing because when you start dancing you're 5-5, but when you keep running you're 4-6."

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Jackson State's New-look 'O' starts slow, finishes fast

Coach Rick Comegy's new Air Raid offense did not disappoint, winning 44-18 going against the vaunted Dark Side defense, before about 7,500 JSU fans at the campus practice field.

The first half of Saturday's Blue and White game didn't look much different than recent Jackson State spring games. The defense flew around the field dominating the offense. Positive yardage was hard to come by as JSU quarterbacks threw three interceptions. And there was no "raid" in the new Air Raid offense. The second half, however, was encouraging for those who like to watch offense and were eager to see the new system under offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson.

The White offense rebounded from the ugly start to pull out a 44-18 win over the Blue defense at the JSU practice field."We started off slow and made some mistakes," quarterback Dedric McDonald said. "As the day went on we started to pick it up. "We just started getting in a groove." McDonald went 9-for-33 with 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown pass was a perfectly thrown 25-yard skinny post to Jarrell Young. The walk-on led all receivers with four catches for 78 yards.

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Delaware State Reinstates Women's Equestrian Team in Legal Battle

The equestrian team was the brainchild of former DSU president Alan Sessoms as a means to engage the equine industry and horse culture of Delaware. He saw the team as an “opportunity to recruit different kinds of students,” and to help bring balance to the men-women athletic divide. Sessoms is currently the president of the University of District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Facing scrutiny over possible Title IX violations, Delaware State University has agreed to reinstate their women’s equestrian program through 2010-11 after announcing its elimination earlier this year for budgetary reasons. The move resolves part of a legal battle between the historically Black institution and student athletes who filed suit to have the program continued after the current year, officials said.

In February, the Lady Hornet equestrians filed for a preliminary injunction order to preserve the team and ensure its presence at the school. On Wednesday, DSU lawyers filed a motion in federal district court consenting to a court order that allows the team to compete through the 2010-11 year. DSU officials will fund the team and all awarded scholarships will be honored, according to the agreement.

The Delaware district court ordered that DSU fulfill the team funding and scholarship obligations under the presumption that if budget cuts were to occur the equestrian team would not suffer more than other athletic teams on campus.

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NCCU Adds Seventh Home Football Game‎ to 2010 Gridiron Slate

NCCU Eagles Tim Shankle scored TD against Duke Blue Devils in historic 2009 Bull City Classic game. The 2010 slate will be even more exciting with Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, Hampton and newcomers - Georgia State and Old Dominion.

Durham, N.C. - The 2010 North Carolina Central University football schedule features seven home contests, including a Thursday night season-opener and the return of rival North Carolina A&T to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, along with four games against MEAC conference foes, as NCCU announced its updated gridiron slate on Saturday.

The seventh home contest has the Eagles hosting second year NCAA FCS Division I program, Old Dominion University Monarchs at 2 p.m., November 20. In what qualifies as one of the most successful season-ticket launches of a football team in NCAA history, the 2009 Monarchs sold over 14,859 season tickets and sold out each home game in Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, which seats 19,782 for football. The Eagles will get a first-hand chance to see how the Monarchs travel to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. In 2011, Old Dominion will become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for football.

The Monarchs were 9-2 in their inaugural season and is currently negotiating a buy-out with Presbyterian College in order to play the more competitive NCCU Eagles. Both winless Presbyterian and Georgetown University have been dropped from ODU 2010 schedule. Georgetown was replaced with an ODU road trip on October 30 to traditional MEAC power, Hampton University.

In each of the prior three seasons since moving to NCAA Division I competition, NCCU had only four home contests. This marks the first time in school history that NCCU hosts seven regular-season home games. The Eagles also have an entertaining road schedule, facing powerhouse Appalachian State at Boone, N.C., newcomer Georgia State in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, Delaware State and Savannah State.

The 2010 NCCU schedule also includes the continued series with rival Winston-Salem State, the first home contest against Hampton in 19 years, a game inside the Georgia Dome, and Bethune-Cookman's first visit to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. "It's a very competitive schedule," said Mose Rison, entering his fourth season as head football coach at NCCU. "We play seven games on our campus, which is a big plus. Our kids enjoy playing in front of our student body and our fans.

"Without a question, this is a great home schedule, with the likes of Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Old Dominion and Bethune-Cookman coming to Durham. Plus, the return of former CIAA opponent Johnson C. Smith and Edward Waters for Homecoming," Rison added. "We're excited." NCCU will become members of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) on July 1, 2010, but will not be eligible for the conference championship during the upcoming season.

No doubt, this will be an exciting season for Eagle fans and the MEAC.

2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Schedule
Date Opponent

9/2 JOHNSON C. SMITH, DURHAM, N.C. 7:00 PM
9/11 WINSTON-SALEM STATE, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
9/18 at Appalachian State, Boone, N.C. TBA
9/25 NORTH CAROLINA A&T, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
10/9 HAMPTON, DURHAM, N.C. 4:00 PM
10/16 at Georgia State, Atlanta, GA TBA , Georgia Dome
10/23 BETHUNE-COOKMAN, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM
10/30 EDWARD WATERS, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM, “Homecoming"
11/6 at Delaware State, Dover, Del. TBA
11/13 at Savannah State, Savannah, Ga. TBA
11/20 OLD DOMINION, DURHAM, N.C. 2 PM

Southern University women dominate in sprints

Friday night, as the first day of the 51st annual Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays wound down, only a few dozen people filled the stands at A.W. Mumford Stadium. By Saturday morning, the west side of the stadium was almost full, packed with parents, coaches, fans and loads of high school, college and club teams who came for the second day, when the event picked up steam. Were anybody so inclined, he could have watched 11 hours of track and field.

One of the day’s highlights, however, came during college sprints, where the Southern women dominated a field that included Grambling, Mississippi Valley State and Southern-New Orleans. One day after sweeping the women’s 200-meter dash, the Lady Jaguars swept the 100 meters. Jazzmin Sims finished first with a time of 12.05 seconds, followed by Lambreche Odeh (12.29) — running in the 100 for the first time. Teammates Sierra Richard (12.59) and Kayante Parker (12.81) were third and fourth, respectively.

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Stump Mitchell Interviews with ESPN

LINK

Stump Mitchell with Moscona 4-7 PART 2

Stump Mitchell with Moscona 4-7 PART 1

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" returns to Savannah State

Savannah State University QB A.J. DeFilippis will share his opinion on the upcoming edition of ESPN "Outside the Lines" show that has not finalized a date for airing.

A crew from ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines" made a second visit to Savannah State University on Friday. The crew is working on a story about ex-football coach Robby Wells, who accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter.

The crew attended the Tigers' practice Friday morning. SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon, quarterback A.J. DeFilippis and defensive back Darren Hunter participated in on-camera interviews, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Saturday night. A crew from ESPN's "Outside the Lines" also visited SSU on March 23-24, and interviewed administrators and coaches about Wells.

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Backdrop:

Robert "Robby" Wells ended his first head coaching job with a 5-7 (2008) and 2-8 (2009) record at Savannah State University on February 11, 2010. Wells needs to put away the race card and move on. I didn't think much of Wells when he was hired -- as higher qualified African-American finalists were passed over, like Raymond Gross, Rubin Carter and Kent Schoolfield.

Raymond Gross (former Georgia Southern University All-American QB, won two 1-AA National Championships in 1989 and 1990; QB coach at B-CU for seven years under Alvin Wyatt; OC at Clark-Atlanta); Rubin Carter (former head football coach at Florida A&M University (16-17); current defensive line coach at University of New Mexico; had a storied career highlighted by 12 seasons (1975-86) as a defensive tackle with the Denver Broncos famed "Orange Crush" defense; played on five AFC West championship teams and two Super Bowls; noted recruiter; 21 years of Division I college and professional coaching experience; All-American DT from the University of Miami (Fla.)); and veteran coach Kent Schoolfield (current WR coach at Capital University (OH); former offensive coordinator at FAMU, NC A&T, James Madison during their 1-AA playoff runs; head coach at Fort Valley State (Ga.) with three NCAA Division II Playoff runs; WR coach at Florida State and Pittsburgh; also coached at Temple and New Mexico State). All had better resumes and proven collegiate coaching careers at the time of Robby Wells' selection.

Savannah State University current offensive coordinator Alan Hall left the Tigers program in March 2009, before Spring pratice for the same position at Winston-Salem State University, only to return to SSU after Coach Robby Wells was released on February 11, 2010. Hall, a member of the Miami Hurricanes' 1991 national championship team and a backup to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Gino Torretta, said it was a tough decision to leave the Tigers program in 2009.

Wells, in his allegations, fail to mention that 13 players were ineligible to participate in 2010 Spring practice and 20 players either quit, are in jail or were dismissed from the team. Not to mention the fact that starting quarterback Kurvin Curry, a sophomore last season, was among those missing from Spring drills.

The Savannah Morning News recently reported that five Savannah State University football players were arrested on Feb. 4 and 10, 2010 respectively, and are currently in the Chatham County jail on charges stemming from a Feb. 4 attack on two fellow (non-football players) students, Carl Gee and Karl Arila, on campus.

Sophomore defensive backs Edward Ndem and Patrick Thomas, freshman defensive back Jevontae Jefferson, sophomore defensive lineman Juvaro Goodman and sophomore running back Rashard Russell all are charged with aggravated assault, a felony. All but Russell also are charged with aggravated battery. Their cases will go to a Chatham County grand jury, where prosecutors are expected to seek indictments within 90 days. Chatham County Recorder's Court Judge Tammy Stokes on March 2 denied bond for the five defendants, all recruits of Robby Wells.

Patrick Thomas, from Atlanta, was charged with battery and released on bond. Thomas was rearrested Feb. 7 on an aggravated assault charge. Jevontae Jefferson, a freshman cornerback from Mableton, is charged with battery. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Brent McCall is facing a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute following his arrest on March 14, on campus. The 20 year old McCall also is charged with misdemeanor possession of a drug-related object for use. He was busted "during a routine room check on campus." McCall, a sophomore defensive back from Detroit, came to SSU from East Ridge High School in Clermont, Fla. He played in four games last season and three games in 2008.

Again, Wells resigned on February 11, 2010, while 33 of his players were either being arrested for drug selling, assault and/or battery, and flunking out--all under Robby Wells watch as head football coach. With a 2009 record of 2 and 8, he would have been locked out of the athletic facilities at any school serious about Division I FCS football and student graduation rates.

SSU became a "provisional" member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on March 13, 2010.

If anything is "outside the lines," its the players that Wells recruited to Savannah State that did not obey the rules, his meager Division I coaching experience, and the negative script he and his crew are writing in Tiger history.

It appears someone (head coach and 33 players) forgot about the student, in student-athlete.

Tennessee State's Calvin McNairl enjoys dual role as quarterback, wide receiver

Having already proved his ability to run and throw the football, Calvin McNairl is spending spring practice at Tennessee State proving he also can catch it. The Henry County product started at quarterback eight games in 2009 and led the Tigers in rushing (628 yards) and passing (78-of-147, 920 yards). The junior shared time with senior quarterback Dominic Grooms, which left McNairl on the sideline too often, Coach Rod Reed said.

TSU star Calvin McNairl get shot as dual threat receiver and quarterback in 2010.

When Reed, the former defensive coordinator, replaced James Webster in December as head coach, keeping McNairl on the field was high on his list of priorities. So he moved McNairl to wide receiver for spring drills and expects him to play there next season when he's not at quarterback. "You want your best athlete on the field and the more you can get the ball in his hands the better,'' Reed said. "We'll have a package for him at quarterback and work him in at wide receiver." McNairl (6-foot, 210) had hoped for a shot at receiver since he was a freshman even though he had never played it before.

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Defense shines in NCCU Maroon-Gray game

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University Coach Mose Rison put his N.C. Central football team on display for the public in its annual Maroon & Gray game, and the defense probably won. But the big news of the day was the addition of another game for this fall. The Eagles have added an 11th game — and a seventh home game — on Nov. 20 against Old Dominion, a team that is in its second season of football. NCCU, which has gone 4-7 each of the past two seasons as it transitions into NCAA Division I, has never played seven home games in the same season. NCCU was one of the better teams on the schedule last season for the Monarchs (9-2), who won their first meeting in Norfolk 42-28. “This is huge for this football program,” Rison said. “Our kids really enjoy playing in front of our fans and we play well at home.”

Incumbent starting quarterback Michael Johnson completed six of 15 passes for 74 yards and led one touchdown drive, which ended in a 1-yard scoring plunge by Justin Campbell. “We were just starting to click toward the end of spring ball, so I wish it had gone on a little bit longer,” Johnson said. “Overall it was pretty good. I’m more comfortable coming to the line and seeing everything. Last year I knew my plays and what everyone had to do, but I had no clue what the defense was doing. Now my thought process is much better and I’m seeing the field way better.”

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