Thursday, December 23, 2010

Wood lifts NC State past Delaware State 72-70

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Scott Wood's putback with 2.1 seconds left lifted North Carolina State past Delaware State 72-70 on Wednesday night.

Richard Howell scored a career-high 16 points, C.J. Leslie had 15 and DeShawn Painter added a career-high 14 for the Wolfpack (7-4). They led by 13 late in the first half but needed some drama to hold off the pesky Hornets. Casey Walker scored 20 points and hit four 3-pointers for Delaware State (4-6), and his free throw with 37.2 seconds left tied it at 70.

Wolfpack escapes Delaware State upset

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Scott Wood picked the right time to hit his first basket. Wood's putback with 2.1 seconds left gave N.C. State a 72-70 win over Delaware State on Wednesday night at the RBC Center. Wood was 0-for-6 before he grabbed a missed 3-pointer from Ryan Harrow about eight feet from the basket and coolly dropped in the game-winning shot.

Delaware State's last gasp, a halfcourt shot by Jay Threatt, bounced off the front of the rim and harmlessly to the floor. N.C. State got a career-best 16 points from Richard Howell and 15 from forward C.J. Leslie and 14 from DeShawn Painter against the undersized Hornets.

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Norfolk State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Norfolk State University released its 2011 football schedule on Tuesday. Highlighting the slate are six home games, including the return of the Labor Day Classic, and a road game at Big East power West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East).

The Spartans open the season on Sept. 3 against Virginia State (8-2, 7-1 CIAA) at Dick Price Stadium. After the Spartans played VSU in their third game of the season in 2010, the game returns to Labor Day weekend for the next four years.

"Having Virginia State back on Labor Day weekend is a great way to kick off the season," head coach Pete Adrian said. The VSU Trojans won the Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern Division championship in 2010.

The following week, the Spartans trek to Morgantown, W.Va., to face West Virginia University. It will be the Spartans' fourth-ever game against a Division I FBS opponent, and third against a Big East team after facing Rutgers in 2007 and 2010. WVU is currently 9-3 and was Big East Conference co-champion with Connecticut and Pittsburgh.

Coach Pete Adrian's Spartans will play at West Virginia
"This will be a major challenge, to say the least, to face a Big East champion," said Adrian, who graduated from WVU in 1970. "But our team looks forward to these games and this will be no exception."

The Spartans open MEAC play at Howard University (1-10, 0-8 MEAC) on Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C.

NSU's third and final non-conference game of the season will come on Sept. 24 against FCS foe Charleston Southern (3-8, 1-5 Big South)at Dick Price Stadium. The teams have never met.

"Playing Charleston Southern will be a good test for us, and a nice non-conference game to add to our league's schedule for next season," Adrian said.

The Spartans' final seven games of the year will be against conference opposition. With the addition of North Carolina Central and Savannah State to the MEAC for 2011, MEAC teams will no longer play every conference opponent each season. NSU will not face NCCU (3-8) and 2010 MEAC Co-Champion Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1 MEAC) in 2011.

The Spartans' home MEAC games next season are against 2010 MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant South Carolina State (9-3,7-1 MEAC)(Oct. 1), Hampton (6-5, 5-3 MEAC) (Oct. 15), MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1 MEAC) (Oct. 22) and North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7 MEAC) (Oct. 29). The contest against the Aggies will serve as Homecoming as well as Senior Day.

In addition to the road game at Howard, NSU will also travel to Delaware State (3-8, 2-6 MEAC) (Oct. 8), Savannah State (1-10)(Nov. 5) and Morgan State (4-7, 3-5) (Nov. 12) in MEAC play. The Spartans do not have a bye week next year, playing 11 consecutive games before completing the regular season on Nov. 12.

2011 Norfolk State Football Schedule

September
03, Virginia State (Labor Day Classic), Norfolk, VA
10, West Virginia, Morgantown, WV
17, Howard, Washington, D.C.
24, Charleston Southern, Norfolk, VA

October
01, South Carolina State, Norfolk, VA
08, Delaware State, Dover, DE
15, Hampton, (Battle of the Bay), Norfolk, VA
22, Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk, VA
29, North Carolina A&T (Homecoming/Senior Day), Norfolk,VA

November
05, Savannah State, Savannah, GA
12, Morgan State, Baltimore, MD

Press Release: 12/21/10; Written By: MEAC Media Relations

South Carolina State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

SCSU Bulldogs QB Derrick Wiley
ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State University released its 2011 football schedule on yesterday, a slate that includes five home games, six road contests and two meetings with Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents.

The Bulldogs open the campaign Thursday, Sept. 1, at Central Michigan, one of two FBS teams Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough's team will face during the season and the first of three consecutive road opponents for SC State. The CMU Chippewas finished the 2010 campaign with a 3-9, 2-6 MAC record, and a 33-0 season opening win over the Hampton Pirates (6-5, 5-3 MEAC).

The Bulldogs will take on 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Champion Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1 MEAC) at Daytona Beach on Sept. 10 before traveling to Bloomington, Indiana, Sept. 17 to meet Big 10 member Indiana (5-7), the second FBS opponent on the 2011 schedule.

SC State opens its home schedule Sept. 24 against Delaware State (3-8, 2-6 MEAC) . Other home games include North Carolina Central (3-8), Oct. 8, in the 2011 Homecoming contest, first-time opponent Georgia State (6-5) Oct. 15, 2010 MEAC Co-Champion Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1 MEAC)Oct. 22 and North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7 MEAC) Nov. 12.

NCCU is one of two new MEAC members on this year's slate, while Georgia State and the Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time.

Additional road games include Norfolk State (6-5, 4-4 MEAC) Oct. 1, Howard (1-10, 0-8 MEAC) Oct. 29 and Savannah State (1-10), the second new league foe on the schedule, Nov. 19.

South Carolina State Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough 
Absent from this year's schedule, which includes an open date Nov. 5, are traditional MEAC rivals Hampton and Morgan State. The two have been replaced by NCCU and Savannah State.

Starting times for all games on the 2011 schedule, which is listed below, will be announced later.

The MEAC is expected to have a new look in 2011 with new a coaching staff at North Carolina Central, North Carolina A&T, Delaware State and Howard University.

SEPTEMBER
01 Central Michigan University at Mount Pleasant, MI
10 Bethune-Cookman University at Daytona Beach, FL
17 Indiana University at Bloomington, IN
24 Delaware State University, Orangeburg, SC (Youth/ROTC Day)

OCTOBER
01 Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
08 North Carolina Central University, Orangeburg, SC  (Homecoming)
15 Georgia State, Orangeburg, SC
22 Florida A&M University, Orangeburg, S.C. (Community Day/Paint the Town Red)
29 Howard University, Washington, DC

NOVEMBER
05 Open
12 North Carolina A&T University, Orangeburg, SC (Senior Day)
19 Savannah State University, Savannah, GA TBA

NOTE: Dates, times and locations are subject to change.

From: Press Release 12/21/10

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

All That ... And Moore

UConn set a new Division I hoops standard Tuesday night winning its 89th consecutive game in a blowout of #20 ranked Florida State, 93-62. Maya Moore has been part of all 89 wins, which sets her apart and has never lost a game in her four-year career. More importantly, the University of Connecticut women basketball team is doing it in the classroom, sporting an Academic Progress Rate ("APR") of 991 as reported by the NCAA in the May 1, 2009 report.

UConn has set a standard for all of us within the CIAA, SIAC, MEAC and SWAC to admire.  But, what can we learn from their work ethic and methods that can improve our success in competitive Division I intercollegiate athletics? What strikes me is the consistency of Coach Geno Auriemma and the UConn women basketball team and his ability to motivate his student-athletes to excel in all phases of life beyond their belief.

This is truly greatness that worth emulating!



UConn passes UCLA with record 89th straight win

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Geno Au riemma's women play like stars, but he supplies the drama.
Sunday, the UConn coach suggested that the streak -- now 89 consecutive victories and one more than John Wooden's UCLA teams' from 1971-1974 after a 93-62 win over Florida State -- had become a misogynist's worst nightmare.

"All the women are happy as hell," he said. "All the guys that love women's basketball are all excited and all the miserable bastards that follow men's basketball and don't want us to break the record are all here because they're [ticked]."

"To have this many people talking about it. . . . It's something to be celebrated. Just don't tarnish it by comparing what someone else did in another time, another era."



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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Xavier (N.O.) knocks off Southern U. 72-58

BATON ROUGE, La. – Michael Harvey scored a season-high 20 points and Xavier (N.O.), a NAIA program, never trailed in a 72-58 victory over Southern University on Monday night. Anthony Simmons added 14 points for the Gold Rush (12-0), who are No. 9 in NAIA Division I.

Xavier shot 50 percent from the field (23 of 46), 85.7 percent from the free-throw line (18 of 21) and outrebounded the Jaguars 41-29. Jamann Kenner hit a 3-pointer to give the Gold Rush a 12-2 lead with 15:46 left in the first half. Xavier extended the margin to 28-13 on Harvey's dunk with 6:25 left before halftime.

Southern (1-9) cut the lead to 47-43 on Blake Sanford's jumper with 11:17 to play, but the Gold Rush pushed the lead to...

Xavier-N.O. keeps Southern reeling

Unable to hit an outside jumper or grab a key rebound, Southern forward Quinton Doggett wore warmups and watched Monday’s game from the bench in the northeast corner of the F.G. Clark Activity Center. He had barely settled into his seat when Xavier players started burning up the nets.

Running down loose basketballs, racing down the floor in transition and sinking a flurry of outside shots, the Gold Rush opened a big lead in the first half and finished strong down the stretch in a 72-58 victory, handing the Jaguars their seventh consecutive loss.

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Hampton Pirates rebound with win over Towson

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University men’s basketball team got back into the win column Monday night, defeating the Tigers of Towson University 78-67 at the HU Convocation Center.

The Pirates (8-2) controlled much of the second half, though Towson closed the gap to 61-55 with 6:52 to play when Dre Conner converted a 3-point play. The Pirates responded emphatically when senior forward Charles Funches (Jersey City, N.J.) threw down a one-handed dunk over Braxton Dupree, drawing the foul and converting the 3-point play at the 5:10 mark to give the Pirates a 68-57 lead.

Junior guard Christopher Tolson (Laurel, Md.) sank a trey with 2:01 to play to put Hampton up 76-63.

Hampton holds off Towson

HAMPTON, VA — Charles Funches posted career highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead Hampton to a 78-67 victory over Towson on Monday night. The Pirates (8-2), coming off a 55-53 loss to Delaware that snapped their seven-game winning streak, shot 45.8 percent from the floor (27 of 59) and hit a season-best 11 of 20 3-pointers.

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Virginia Barely Slips by Norfolk State, 50-49

Charlottesville, VA - UVa men's basketball got a huge scare Monday night, but the Cavaliers pulled out a 50-49 win over Norfolk State.

UVa had to play again without the injured Mike Scott. Mustapha Farrakhan picked up the scoring slack, leading the Cavs with 18 points. The Spartans came into the game losers of six straight but they outrebounded UVa 43-36 and they had a one-point lead with time winding down. Sammy Zeglinski's three-pointer rimmed out, but K.T. Harrell got the rebound and was fouled. He missed both free throws, but the 7-footer Assane Sene tipped in the game-winner with 4.8 seconds left.



U.Va. squeaks past NSU 50-49 with late tip-in

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - It was evident Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena that the Norfolk State Spartans are going to be a much better team with transfer Chris McEachin in their lineup. It was also crystal clear that the Virginia Cavaliers are a donut unit - sweet on the outside and empty in the middle - as long as power forward Mike Scott is sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery.

Monday's result was expected: A Virginia victory over a team that ranks No. 311 in the power rankings among 348 Division I teams. The way it came about was mind-boggling and bordered on unbelievable.

The Cavaliers needed an Assane Sene tip-in of a missed free throw with 4.8 seconds remaining to pull out a 50-49 win in front of a crowd of 7,856 that ...

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READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Sene's winner rescues sluggish Cavs
Wahoos Nearly Upset by Norfolk State at the JPJ! Hoos Win 50-49
UVA Edges Norfolk State on Sene's Last-Second Tip-In

Monday, December 20, 2010

Turnaround trio leaves mark on PV

 Basketball Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke  
Like Robertson, Cooper-Dyke, Frazier departs after reviving dreadful program

Henry Frazier III’s decision to leave Prairie View A&M for North Carolina Central last week closed the book on one of the school’s most successful football coaches.

It also signaled the exit of the last remaining coach in Prairie View’s former “big three.” The three were Frazier, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke (women’s basketball) and Michael Robertson (baseball). They stood out as Prairie View’s most significant coaches in recent years because of their roles in turning around programs that were doormats before their arrival.

When Robertson began in 2003 after leaving Forest Brook High, the baseball team had won only 17 games in...

Northern ready for the next step at Prairie View

Heishma Northern was placed on the fast track to become a Division I head coach when Prairie View A&M named him coach-in-waiting Oct. 13.

It turned out to be much faster than the sixth-year defensive coordinator or most others envisioned. Northern was elevated to head coach Monday after Henry Frazier III stepped down to pursue coaching opportunities at programs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. A person familiar with the situation said Frazier, who went 43-30 in seven seasons at Prairie View, will fill the coaching vacancy at North Carolina Central.

Meanwhile, Northern is left with the keys to a program that went 32-9 over the last seasons and won the Southwestern Athletic...

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Tennessee State Tigers safety is an AP All-American

Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel told Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed to expect great things from Eugene Clifford, a safety Tressel had dismissed in 2008. Clifford transferred to TSU, where he was a three-year starter, and on Wednesday was selected to the Associated Press Football Championship Series All-America first team.

"After we got Eugene I ran into (Jim) Tressel at the coaches convention," said Reed, who was TSU's defensive coordinator at the time. "I introduced myself and he said, 'Coach, I tell you what, you've got a great one on your hands.' As soon as Clifford got on the field, you could see it. He has that ability to explode plays. He's a good tackler in the open field, and he played well in our system."

FHSAA: Tampa Jefferson wins first state title, beating Miami Norland 44-34 in the Class 3A football final

Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams (oral commitment to Bethune-Cookman) runs for two touchdowns and throws for three more.


Quentin Williams was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football Friday afternoon. Then he went out and showed the announced crowd of 2,908 at the Citrus Bowl for the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association football final exactly why he deserved the award.

Williams ran for two touchdowns and threw for three more as Tampa Jefferson (15-0) defeated Miami Norland (13-2) 44-34 to win its first state championship in a game stopped with 3 seconds remaining after a fight broke out. Williams finished with 73 yards rushing and connected on 11-of-16 passes for 151 yards.

"It's a great feeling, a great blessing," Williams said about being Florida's top football player. "But, it's even better to know that we are state champions."

JEFFERSON'S WILLIAMS WINS STATE'S TOP FOOTBALL AWARD

Quentin Williams has made a verbal commitment to Bethune-Cookman University, his mother's alma mater, but said he's planning January recruiting trips to Ohio University and Florida International University.

Jefferson High senior quarterback Quentin Williams was named Florida's Mr. Football on Friday, becoming the third Hillsborough County player in history to win the state's highest honor.

Williams, the Class 3A player of the year, had 137 points in a vote of high-school football coaches and media representatives, outdueling Demetrius Hart of Class 6A Orlando Dr. Phillips (128 points). Plant running back/defensive player James Wilder, the top Class 5A player, was third with 119 points.

Other Hillsborough County players to become Mr. Football were Robinson running back Zain Gilmore (1997) and Plant quarterback Robert Marve (2006).

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FHSAA Class 4A state football final: Tallahassee Lincoln 17, Armwood 14

ORLANDO, FL — The sun made a brief, belated appearance Saturday at the Citrus Bowl, peering from behind the clouds late in the first half of the Class 4A state football final. It was a meteorological tease for the Armwood High Hawks. A depression unlike any they’ve experienced in recent memory was only starting to form.

On an overcast, periodically rainy afternoon, the top-ranked Hawks (14-1) let a team they had statistically outplayed for three quarters stick around and, in the end, surpass them. Senior kicker Carlos Gaston’s 37-yard field goal with four seconds to play — set up seven plays earlier when he drew a roughing-the-punter penalty — lifted Tallahassee Lincoln (11-4) to a 17-14 upset before a meager audience of 2,217.

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Lincoln wins title in Class 4A

Tallahassee Lincoln senior Carlos Gaston nailed a 37-yard field goal with four seconds left to give Lincoln a 17-14 victory against Seffner Armwood in the Class 4A state championship game at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Orlando.

Armwood (14-1) came into the game nationally ranked and a heavy favorite against Lincoln (11-4), which started the season losing four of its first seven games. ``Our kids knew that nobody gave us a chance and nobody expected nothing,'' said Lincoln coach Yusuf Shakir, a Lincoln alumnus.

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FHSAA: Dr. Phillips' title hopes defused by Miami Central

Orlando, FL - Miami Central's swarming defense corralled the state's all-time scoring leader, Demetrius Hart, and the Rockets rode their own thoroughbred running back to a 42-27 victory over Dr. Phillips in Saturday night's Class 6A football state championship game at the Citrus Bowl.

Devonta Freeman, a 5-10, 192-pound senior who has orally committed to Florida State, put the Rockets on his back after DP took advantage of Central miscues to take a 17-0 second quarter lead. He carried 36 times for 308 yards and scored three touchdowns.

 
A paid crowd of 10,078, easily the biggest for a year when finals attendance dipped, included FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher.

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Best (or worst) of Southern University season

Since elementary school, we’ve all known that, like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two words in the English language are identical. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that “memorable” does not always mean “enjoyable.”

Take, for example, the 2010 football season at Southern University. For fans and alumni, it was rarely enjoyable. But it was, indeed, memorable.

It started with the hiring of a bold new head coach in Stump Mitchell, who vowed to instill discipline in the SU program and, of course, win. A lot. The Jaguars, he said, had enough talent on hand to go 12-0. Instead, they won two times in 11 games, clinching their first nine-loss season in school history.

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Williams Helps N.C. Central Edge Liberty

North Carolina Central's Chasidy Williams scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, helping the homestanding Lady Eagles come from behind to defeat Liberty, 50-48, Saturday afternoon at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Despite Avery Warley's third double-double of the season (14 points, 10 rebounds), Liberty drops its second straight contest, falling to 3-6 on the year. The Lady Flames are 0-4 in road matchups this season. North Carolina Central improves to 2-8, while snapping a seven-game losing streak. The Lady Eagles improve to 19-8 at home since beginning their transition to the NCAA Division I level in 2007-08.



NCCU women topple Liberty

DURHAM, N.C. -- Sophomore Chasidy Williams scored a season-high 18 points off the bench to push the N.C. Central women's basketball team past three-time reigning Big South champion Liberty 50-48 on Saturday at McDougald-McLendon Gym to snap a seven-game losing streak.

"I am very pleased with what we were able to do today," NCCU coach Joli Robinson said after her 210th career victory. "We needed our younger players to grow and mature, and it was amazing to see what they did against this team." Williams did not miss a shot, going 6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. She added a team-high seven rebounds.

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Livingstone College Concert Choir nominated for award

When members of the Livingstone College Concert Choir took the stage at Carnegie Hall on April 26, chances are they were nervous and not sure how they would perform. They couldn’t have known that after 30 minutes they would bring the usually reserved Carnegie Hall audience to its feet in a rousing standing ovation.

And they certainly didn’t know their debut performance at Carnegie Hall would help them eventually garner a nomination as Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities Choir — but that’s exactly what has happened. Officials with the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy recently announced that Livingstone College is among six historically black colleges and universities that have been nominated for Best HBCU Choir.

Joining Livingstone in that category are the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Morehouse College Glee Club, Tuskegee Golden Voices Choir, Morgan State University Choir and Kentucky State Gospel Choir.

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Videographer: CharlieBladeRemus:  Livingstone College Concert Choir at Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon, NY, LCCC performs Raymond Wise's arrangement of "There Is A Balm In Gilead." This video was shot on April 25, 2010, the day before the LCCC grand debut at world-renown Carnegie Hall.


Videographer: lrich115, Kentucky State Gospel Choir with James Davis, Student Director, Natasha Sanders, soloist (Aug. 15, 2010).


Videographer: miriam1627; Morgan State University Choir singing "It Is Well"- Arranged by the late Dr. Nathan Carter.

Videographer: lefrazier; The Tuskegee University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Barr, celebrated the Tuskegee Airmen during the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Grand Opening Ceremonies on October 11, 2008. Song: Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Announces Nominees for Inaugural HBCU Awards

The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc today (Dec. 13, 2010) announced the finalists for the inaugural 2011 HBCU Awards to be held on March 18, 2011 at the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni- Foundation Event Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. Crowning winners in the fields of leadership, arts, athletics, research, and community engagement, the HBCU Awards is the first and only event to recognize the influence and impact of HBCUs on American culture.

“Historically black colleges and universities have authored and continue to author some of the great American success stories in higher education and personal achievement,” says Center Founder and Executive Director Jarrett L. Carter, Sr. “These awards provide an national opportunity for recognition and celebration, for the HBCU communities that have long wished for these stories to have a place among national headlines.”

A three-month nomination process received more than 1,000 entries submitted by administrators, students, alumni, faculty and supporters of HBCUs throughout the country. Finalists were selected by Center leadership, and winners will be named by a panel of HBCU students, alumni and administrators. Winners will be announced on the evening of the ceremony.

The HBCU Awards are the Center’s primary fundraising initiative, and all proceeds raised by the awards are tax deductible contributions made to support the Center’s mission objectives, and student scholarship funding for HBCU students in and around the host city.

Based in Baltimore, MD, the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc. seeks to promote the mission, culture and development of America’s historically black colleges and universities through new media exposure, training and education. For more information, visit www.hbcumedia.org.

From 12/13/2010 Press Release

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Fulton Named Arkansas-Pine Bluff Interim Athletic Director

Pine Bluff, AR – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., has named Willie Fulton, the interim athletic director. Fulton, the Golden Lions associate athletic director for business, replaces Louis "Skip" Perkins who is now the athletic director at Howard University, Washington, D.C.

“He is experienced, knows how to handle the administrative end and works well with the rest of the Athletics staff,” says Davis. “I’m very pleased with Chancellor Davis’ selection of me,” says Fulton. “I want to thank the athletics staff and all those that have supported me. This is a great opportunity.”

New interim AD at UAPB

Longtime athletic department employee Willie Fulton has been named interim athletic director at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Fulton was appointed to the position by Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr. on Thursday and began Friday. He’ll serve as interim athletic director until Davis finds a permanent replacement for Skip Perkins, after which Fulton will be allowed to return to his previous post as associate athletic director for business.

Perkins took over earlier this month as athletic director at Howard, a position he accepted in October before staying at UAPB through the remainder ofthe fall semester.

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TODAY: 2010 Russell Athletic HBCU All-Star Bowl



The HBCU All-Star Bowl kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. It is a radio only affair and you can listen in at: www.classicsportsradio.com, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Visit: http://www.hbcubowl.com or click title.

Choctaw grad Cragin to play in HBCU Bowl

Josh Cragin isn’t approaching his appearance in the Historically Black College and University’s Bowl as the ultimate opportunity to get noticed by NFL scouts. For him, it’s just a perk. “It’s definitely an honor,” Cragin said. “They say it’s the best of the best in the HBCU, so it’s definitely a privilege.”

The Alcorn State University star and Choctawhatchee graduate is just thankful for the chance to play in today’s game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It’s a showcase for the top 100 draft-eligible seniors — including 10 alternates — from all HBCU football conferences (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

Lamar's McFadden, Lake City's Harrison to play in HBCU bowl

Seven South Carolina State players, including Pee Dee natives Marshall McFadden and Josh Harrison, will be playing in the HBCU Bowl on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

The HBCU Bowl teams are made up of the top senior football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The East team is made up of players from the MEAC and CIAA and coached by Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor, while the West team is made up of players from the SWAC and the SIAC and coached by Tuskegee coach Willie Slater.

McFadden, who played at Lamar, had 47 tackles, two sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown this season for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the FCS playoffs ...

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Lincoln women's coach steps down; Kisha Middleton named interim head coach

With just seven victories in 59 tries dating back to the start of the basketball season in 2008, Lincoln University announced on Wednesday that head women's coach Andy Haman has resigned and that assistant coach Kisha Middleton has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2010-11 season.

Lincoln stated in a press release that the move was Haman's decision, but he was reluctant to confirm that version of the story when contacted Wednesday evening.

"I am still confused about some things that still need to be worked out," Haman said when asked if he resigned or was forced out. He declined to comment further.

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Thursday, December 16, 2010

No Surprise, Henry Frazier III Named North Carolina Central's Head Football Coach

Frazier will begin his five-year term on January 1, 2011 and will be paid an annual salary of $225,000.

DURHAM, N.C. – With 12 years of collegiate head coaching experience and a reputation for rebuilding football programs, Henry Frazier III was announced as North Carolina Central University’s 21st football head coach in school history on Thursday (Dec. 16, 2010) during a press conference in the William Jones Building on the campus of NCCU.

Frazier comes to NCCU after seven seasons as the head mentor at Prairie View A&M University. Prior to his arrival in Texas, the Panthers experienced the nation’s longest losing streak from 1989-98, dropping 80 contests in a row, and struggled through back-to-back 1-10 seasons in 2002 and 2003. Frazier closed his tenure with four straight winning seasons and delivered consecutive 9-1 records in 2008 and 2009, including a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title in 2009, the program’s first conference championship since 1964.

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Videographer: NCCU Eagles

North Carolina Central University hires a new football coach

DURHAM -- N.C. Central has been looking to recharge a football program that’s endured a rocky transition to the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision. Thursday, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school announced it had hired the coach credited with turning around one of the most beleaguered college programs in recent history.

N.C. Central has hired former Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III, who compiled a 43-30 record there in seven years. Before his arrival at Prairie View, the Panthers program endured an 80-game losing streak – the nation’s longest from 1989 to 1998 – and struggled through back-to-back 1-10 seasons in 2002 and 2003.

Photo Gallery      


Videographer: NCCU Eagles

Frazier tabbed as new NCCU football coach

Durham, NC (Sports Network) - North Carolina Central University has named Henry Frazier III as the school's new head football coach.

Frazier replaces interim head coach Darryl Bullock, who took over after Mose Rison was fired following a 2-4 start to the 2010 season. The Eagles finished the campaign at 3-8.

The 42-year-old Frazier stepped down from the top job at Prairie View A&M on Monday night. He compiled a 43-30 mark during his seven-year tenure with the Panthers and was the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award recipient as the top FCS coach.

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Ex-Cat Woods makes his home on the road

MVSU Delta Devils Coach Sean Woods
MVSU Delta Devils' fans haven't seen them play

You'll have to forgive former Kentucky point guard Sean Woods if he feels little sympathy for his alma mater's early-season basketball schedule. More than once, UK Coach John Calipari lamented the rigors of a trip to Maui and just two home games in the first six for his freshman-oriented team.

Boo hoo, Woods might say. His Mississippi Valley State team plays its first 14 games on the road. The first home game is still more than three weeks away. This week is especially hellish for the Delta Devils with games at Mississippi on Monday, at Arkansas on Wednesday and at Kentucky on Saturday. "We have the toughest schedule in the country," Woods said in a telephone...

Razorbacks run past Devils

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — You wouldn't know it by the final score, but for a half the Arkansas Razorbacks had a devil of a time subduing the Delta Devils.

The Razorbacks — now 7-1 going into Saturday's ESPN2-televised game with No. 25 ranked Texas A&M in Dallas — only led the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils, 43-38 at half before breezing, 87-64, Wednesday night at Walton Arena.

The Delta Devils of the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) are only 1-8 but played Arkansas tough for awhile like they had played SEC member Georgia all the way before losing, 72-70 in Athens, Ga.

Former Cat Woods To Return To Rupp As Head Coach At Miss. Valley State

Going through some of the old footage from 1991 for a story on Sean Woods brought back a lot of memories of a really fun time to cover UK basketball. The road for Sean Woods has had more than it's share of twists and turns. He thought he was going to the NBA. I still think had he stuck with it, he would have been at worst, a back up in the NBA for a long time.

Sean is Sean. He doesn't look any older. The smile and big laugh are still there. "You know it's basketball, it's not work to me," says the head coach of Mississippi Valley State.

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SWAC football is getting better

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp
HUNTSVILLE, Al. - For as long as anyone can remember, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has been a three-headed monster when it comes to football.

Grambling, Southern and Jackson State have been by far the best programs in the league. Grambling has won 22 SWAC championships. Southern has won 18 and Jackson State 16. Nobody else even comes close.

Since 1960, the trio has won or shared ...

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Former JSU's Shasta Averyhardt ties for 22nd at Qualifying School to earn conditional status on LPGA Tour in 2011

Follow Averyhardt career at http://www.shastagolf.us

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Two measly strokes in 90 holes were all that kept Flint's Shasta Averyhardt from having full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour next season.

Averyhardt shot 7-over-par 77 Sunday in the final round of Qualifying School on LPGA International's Champions course to fall from a tie for eighth into a tie for 22nd. Averyhardt finished at 4-over-par 364. She would have tied for 20th with a score of 362.

The top 20 players are fully exempt next season while those in Averyhardt's category are exempt into the Monday qualifying tournaments and ...

Bramlett not the only African-American to earn Tour Card for 2011

On Sunday 24-year-old Shasta Averyhardt became the only African-American player to earn status on the LPGA Tour. Averyhardt will be just the fourth African-American woman in the 60 year history of the LPGA Tour to play as a member.

The rookie professional out of Flint, Mich., was on pace to finish inside the fully-exempt top-20 after a round of 67 on Saturday tied her for eighth. Averyhardt struggled through Sunday’s final round conditions but her 79 was good enough to keep her inside the top-30 (T22) and earn her LPGA Tour card through the Priority List Category 16.

Flint's Shasta Averyhardt trying to see bright side after making history at LPGA Tour Q-School

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Flint's Shasta Averyhardt made LPGA Tour history Sunday despite failing to earn full playing privileges for the 2011 season.

Averyhardt, 24, shot 7-over-par 79 in the fifth and final round of Qualifying School at LPGA International to fall from a tie for eighth into a tie for 22nd with a total of 4-over 364.
The top 20 finishers are fully exempt for 2011 and Averyhardt missed a playoff for the 20th and final spot by two shots.

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RELATED LINK: http://www.shastagolf.us/

S.C. State football schedule close to completion

With the date confirmed of a second game next season against a Division I opponent, the 2011 football schedule for South Carolina State is close to completion.

Visit Indiana University’s athletics website and it lists the Hoosiers playing host to the Bulldogs Sept. 17. Earlier this year, it was revealed the school was finalizing talks with Central Michigan for a tentative Sept. 3 season-opening game.

TENTATIVE 2011 S.C. STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SEPT. 3 - at Central Michigan
SEPT. 10 - TBA
SEPT. 17 - at Indiana University
SEPT. 24 - TBA
OCT. 1 - FLORIDA A&M
OCT. 8 - at Norfolk State
OCT. 15 - at Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 22 - at Savannah State
Oct. 29 - DELAWARE STATE
Nov. 5 - at Howard
Nov. 12 - NORTH CAROLINA-CENTRAL
Nov. 19 - NORTH CAROLINA A&T

Report: CMU to open 2011 season against South Carolina State

The Central Michigan football team will open the 2011 season against Football Championship Subdivision opponent South Carolina State on Sept. 3, 2011, according to a report Wednesday by The (Orangeburg, S.C.) Times and Democrat.

The game marks the third consecutive time CMU will play its home opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium against an FCS team. The Chippewas beat Hampton 33-0 on Sept. 2 in their first game of the season.

South Carolina State, an all-black school in Orangeburg, S.C., plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs finished the 2010 season 9-3 and 7-1 in the MEAC, clinching an FCS playoff berth for the third consecutive season. This will be the...

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Former Plant City star continues passion as college coach

Savannah State University's men's basketball team played Indiana University, one of the country's best known college basketball programs, live on ESPNU on Dec. 4. The Tigers lost, 79-57, but it marked the first prime-time televised game for Savannah State against a big-name opponent.

The loss dropped SSU's record to 1-9 on the season, but under the leadership of head coach Horace Broadnax, a former basketball star at Plant City High, the program is reaching new heights.

Marshall Men's Basketball Travels To Savannah State‎

Following its longest layoff of the season, the Marshall University men’s basketball team will take on Savannah State Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Tiger Arena.

Marshall enters the game riding a three-game win streak following a 67-63 victory over James Madison last week in Huntington. Senior Tirrell Baines led the way for the Herd against the Dukes, scoring 17 points. He has also been a threat on the boards, hauling in 7.4 per game, top on the Herd. His average of 3.4 offensive rebounds per game puts him third in Conference USA.

Nigel Spikes had one of the top outings of his career, hauling in 13 rebounds, a career-high for the sophomore and the highest total for a Marshall player this season. Since the game against Chattanooga, Spikes has averaged 7.2 boards per game.

Marshall basketball: Presley has Herd ready for foes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Dino Presley knows all about Savannah State, Marshall's non-conference opponent tonight at 7 in the coastal Georgia city. Without pause, Presley, the Herd assistant basketball coach, can tell you about the Tigers' 1-2-2 zone defense, how leading scorer Jovanni Shuler "likes to put it on the floor," or even minutiae like the fact that third-leading scorer Joshua Montgomery is a lefty.

Presley, who is known for his recruiting acumen and lauded by Herd Coach Tom Herrion for his rapport with players, has been on scouting duties as Marshall (6-2) prepared for Savannah State (1-10).

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ECSU’s Jenkins first team All-America

Elizabeth City State defensive end Malcolm Jenkins was named to the first team Daktronics All-America team on Tuesday, becoming just the second Viking to be named to the Division II honor squad. Defensive back Howard Williams is the only other ECSU player to make the team. He was selected in 2004.

In the preseason, Jenkins was named to the Lindy’s All-America team and did not disappoint throughout the season.

Jenkins CIAA’s top defender

Just one Elizabeth City State football player made the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association first team, but it was big one. Defensive end Malcolm Jenkins not only made the first team for the second year in a row, but he was also named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

“Malcolm did a lot of things good,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said. “He’s consistent most every game out and he gave the offenses we faced a fit.”

 Jenkins led the CIAA in sacks with 13 and tackles for loss with 18.5. The senior from Florence, N.J., led the Vikings with 27 quarterback hurries and was third on the team with 42 tackles.

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