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All-Star Lawson Gives Back, Works to Inspire Others

05/16/2013 18:50:00

NEW YORK – Kara Lawson of the Connecticut Sun is the recipient of the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding work in the community in 2012, the league announced Thursday.

The award recognizes the player whose outreach inspires the community and reflects Staley’s leadership, spirit, charitable efforts, and love for the game.

Lawson was previously recognized for her achievements on and off the court with the 2012 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award.

“Kara Lawson has represented the WNBA admirably and has done a phenomenal job in elevating its name over the course of her career,” said WNBA President Laurel J. Richie. “As evidenced by her efforts on behalf of the Pat Summitt Foundation, Kara is an ambassador and leader for all levels of basketball as well as a role model to girls and women everywhere.”

During the 2012 season, Lawson donated $50 for each three-pointer made to the Pat Summitt Foundation in honor of her collegiate coach. Summitt was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

Lawson, however, inspired by her former coach wanted to do more than donate money; she immersed herself in a cause with the goal of inspiring others. Summitt, the legendary coaching figure who guided the Tennessee women’s basketball program to 1,098 wins and eight national championships, announced she was stepping down from the Lady Vols in April of 2012.

The Pat Summitt Foundation seeks to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, its causes and help work towards a cure. For 2012, Lawson finished the season with a team-record 74 3-pointers, and her donation was matched by the Connecticut Sun Foundation, the Mohegan Tribe as well as others and fan donations.

In total, the three-point campaign raised 32,000. In January of 2013, Lawson was named an honorary co-chair of the Pat Summitt Foundation Advisory Board. "It’s an honor to pay tribute to Kara Lawson with the Dawn Staley Community Leadership award,” said WNBA Legend and University of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.

“Her work with the Pat Summitt Foundation shows her commitment to making a lasting difference around the nation about Alzheimer's. Her spirit of compassion has inspired others to get involved in finding a cure for Alzheimer's and honor an icon in sports."

The Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is presented annually. Each WNBA team nominated one player and a designated committee selected Lawson as the winner. The WNBA will make a $10,000 donation to the Pat Summitt Foundation on behalf of Lawson.

"I'm thrilled to receive the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. My relationship with Dawn goes back over 20 years,” said Kara Lawson. “She was the first female basketball player I looked up to and tried to model myself after. She left an indelible impression on the women's game."

"I've always felt that being mentioned in the same breath as Dawn meant you were doing things the right way. My goal has always been to have a positive impact in my community. In my role with the Pat Summitt Foundation, I have the opportunity to work with a passionate group dedicated to end Alzheimer's."

"Thank you to Dawn and the WNBA for this prestigious award."

Former Tennessee Star to Lead Alabama A&M Women's Hoops

05/16/2013 18:34:00

NORMAL, Ala. -- Alabama A&M Director of Athletics, Bryan Hicks, has announced the hiring of Semeka Randall as the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Alabama A&M University.

She is slated to begin her new duties effective immediately.

Ms. Randall is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2000 with a degree in Speech Communication.

While at UTK, Randall was a stand-out defensive player for the powerhouse Lady Vol women’s basketball program from 1998-2001. She was a key member on the 1998 NCAA Championship team that went 39-0.

In addition, Randall received Kodak and AP All American honors in 1999 and 2000.

After her college career, she played professionally with the Seattle Storm, Utah Starzz, and the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA, in addition to playing internationally during the WNBA off season.

Randall began her coaching career in 2002 as an assistant with Cleveland State University.

By 2004, she was an assistant coach at Michigan State University, and helped the Spartans to the 2004 NCAA Championship game. She also served as an assistant at West Virginia University from 2007-2008.

Most recently, Randall was the Head Coach at Ohio University.

“I am very happy Semeka Randall is a Bulldog!” said Hicks. “We expect her to set the tone for our women’s basketball program and take us to the next level. President Hugine, Dr. Rolle, and the Board of Trustees have been very supportive in our pursuit of excellence in athletics."

"This hire is further proof of that support.”

The Washington Football Club and The Law

05/15/2013 20:38:00

OAKLAND -- Sometimes it takes months, sometimes it take years, and sometimes it takes forever, for change to occur but in time change will transpire.

Individuals can embrace change or fight it. Some kick and scream, However it is their choice.

We now know which road Daniel Snyder has chosen by his latest statements to the American Sports Media.

So the battle begins.

The Washington Football Club and owner Mr. Daniel Snyder are currently looking at history's window and don't understand their legacies.

Just as the Civil Right defenders and critics did 50 years ago. The Washington Football Club, Daniel Snyder, The National Football League, and Commissioner Roger Goddell should be on the positive side of history and change the name.

It's not the colors, its not the logos, but the team name has to be retired forever. Actually the logo is very majestic and honors the Native American Indian community.On May 9, 2013 Mr. Snyder arrogance and male privilege got the best of him as he told the USA Today reporter that, "We'll never change the name, It's that simple NEVER -- you can use caps".

Not so fast my friend.

The NFL and its commissioner may have been complicit, dealing with the Washington Football Club's controversy.

1) It is time to take the NFL and Commissioner Goddell to task and sue for defamation of character and slander to the Native American Nation.

2) It is time for other minorities to support our Native American Brothers and Sisters in the battle for honor and respect.

3) It is time to strike at the heart of the Washington Football Club. That means boycotting any function held by the Club, anywhere in the United States. Do not buy any product produced by and for the Washington Football Club.

4) Deny entry to public access roads to the stadium because it in support of the Washington Football Club. The limited political power of Native American Indians is one of the reasons why Mr. Snyder and the Washington Football Club get away with the name.

The limited monetary access by the Native American Indian communities limits the ability to create positive public opinion. There are no political action committee to put this issue on the American agenda in Washington D.C.

As my friend Cowboy Reggie Howell from radio station WCLM 1450- Richmond, Virginia, states many times "FOLLOW THE MONEY". If you don't give this organization the money they cannot function.

Just ask the people of Montgomery, Alabama about the Bus Boycott of the late 1950's. The Bus Company thought they could survive without African American ridership and monies, the boycott worked. The Montgomery Bus Company found out the hard way.

Maybe the Washington Football Club needs another historical lesson.

The political push is on again to change the name of this historic football franchise that began in the city of Boston in 1937. A team that became the flagship franchise of the South until the mid 1970's.

The Boston Braves Football Club became the Boston Redskins because the teams 1st owner George Preston Marshall did not want his team to be confused with the Boston Braves Baseball Club.

The Washington Football Club is getting seized upon from three different legal entities.

The Washington D.C. City Council, The United States House of Representatives, and an intelligent Navajo female in the state of Arizona. Hopefully, one of these three will be victorious in their battle against the Washington Football Club.

In April 2013, The City Council of Washington D.C. and Councilman David Grosso spearheaded a city resolution to change the name of the football club to the Washington Red Tails in honor of the Tuskegee Institute Airmen.

That suggestion went over like a wet blanket for owner Daniel Snyder.

Pressure has also come from Mayor Vincent C. Gray (no-relations) to change the image of the football club since it has been on the rise in the NFC Eastern Conference. Mayor Gray has stated that if the Club moves back into the city limits of Washington the name issue must be discussed.

District residents and their elected representatives should not tolerate commercial or other use of derogatory terminology relating to any people’s racial identity, or which dishonors any person’s race, or which dishonors the name Washington.” “Washington’s name has been dishonored by association with the word ‘Redskins,’ because it is well known in America and in nations afar that American Indians have experienced utmost suffering and disrespect over the years.” Grosso told the Post "That a change to the Red Tails would be relatively seamless".

If the football club wants to also change the mascot the Red Tail Hawk would be a fine addition.

In March 2013 The United States House of Representatives got involved with abill, called the Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013, if passed, would strip the Washington football team of its trademarked name and put a stop to its exclusive profiteering from using the racist slur in its logo on sweatshirts, tee shirts, caps, coffee mugs, and dozens of other products flooding the market.

The bill would also prohibit any future trademarks that use the offensive term. It was introduced by 12 Democrats and a lone Republican Tom Cole-Oklahoma of the Congressional Native American Caucus.

Although the new bill would prohibit registering “redskins” as a trademark it would not stop business owners who are determined to use the racist term. They would be free under the First Amendment right of free speech to use the term “redskins” – unregistered – even though it is disparaging. That means the Washington football team could continue to use the racist slur, but it would no longer have the market cornered with an exclusive right to sell items using the name.

This argument in court has taken place since 1999 by the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board which is part of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This will continue with a Petition called Blackhorse vs. Pro-Football Inc. Ms. Amanda Blackhorse will litigate this issue in 2013.

Ms. Blackhorse is from the state of Arizona and will lead the fight for denying the use of the Washington Football Club's trademark team name. The Navajo female attended Navajo Nation High School called Red Mesa High School which uses the R-word as their mascot.

She strongly disagrees with her high school administration. Blackhorse sees this as the last civil rights battle in the United States. I disagree because Disabled Americans are still fighting for equality but Amanda has a point and we need to support our Native American Indian Sister.

The Blackhorse complaint:"The term 'redskin' was and is a pejorative, derogatory, denigrating, offensive, scandalous, contemptuous, disreputable, disparaging, and racist designation for a Native American person .... The registrant's use of each mark ... offends petitioners, and other Native Americans, causing them to be damaged by the continued registration of the marks."

- August 11, 2006, petition

There are still 70 high schools in this country with this despicable name.

Which is surprising with the federal monies attached to operate these schools. One explanation is the majority of these high schools are Native American and on tribal lands where the issue is not raised, at least to the mainstream press.

Just as African Americans have members in their group that are self loathing, self serving, self hating, and helping their masters, the same can be said about Native American Indians as these individuals become the spokesperson for the American public consumer.

Without political, social, and economic pressure nothing will be done. The drive for change must be continued with this kind of response by the Washington Football Club.

The partial Football Club's response:

"Native Americans ... strongly support use of the word 'Redskins' for the team name .... (the trademarks) symbolizing strength, virility, and courage, reflect positive attributes and thereby serve as a source of pride.... The record is devoid of proof supporting a conclusion that, as used in connection with registrant's football services ... the team marks disparaged Native Americans. Quite to the contrary, registrant's usage has honored Native Americans, their culture, and traditions."

- October 9, 2012, brief

The fight continues

Quotes are from:-NFL.com, Indian Country Today Media Network.com Gary Norris Gray - Writer, Author, Historian. Gibbs Magazine-Oakland, California and New England Informer- Boston Mass. THE GRAYLINE:- The Analects of A Black Disabled Man, The Gray Leopard Cove on Blogtalkradio.com Disabled Community Activist.

Email at garyngray@blackathlete.com or Norris19@Wordpress.com

©Copyrighted Gary Norris Gray @ Gray Leopard Prod

Marshals dispute account of Woods-Garcia issue

05/15/2013 17:15:00

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Two marshals say Tiger Woods never said anything to them about whether Sergio Garcia had played his shot.

Two other marshals disputed that account, one of them saying he told Woods that Garcia had already hit on the second hole at the TPC Sawgrass.

In the days since Woods won The Players Championship, the dispute has shifted from players to volunteer marshals.It started Saturday in the third round when Woods was deep in the trees, some 50 yards to the left of Garcia in the fairway.

Woods pulled a 5-wood from his bag to play a high-risk shot through a gap in the trees, and the crowd cheered his decision - right about the time Garcia was playing his shot.Woods said marshals told him Garcia had already played his shot.

Asked about the poor shot he hit that led to bogey, Garcia said that Woods should have known the Spaniard was about to hit, and he suggested that Woods might have instigated the disruptive cheer.

Woods said later Saturday that Garcia didn't have all the facts.''The marshals, they told me already hit, so I pulled a club and was getting ready to play my shot,'' Woods said

None of this had any bearing on the outcome, and there were no rules violation.

But it became testy when Sports Illustrated quoted two marshals as saying they told Woods no such thing. One of them was John North, the head marshal for that section of the golf course.

He told the magazine, ''Nothing was said to us and we certainly said nothing to him. I was disappointed to hear him make those remarks. We're there to help the players and enhance the experience of the fans.

He was saying what was good for him. It lacked character

''The Florida Times-Union, however, quoted two marshals as saying there was communication between Woods and volunteers.''It is not true and definitely unfair to Tiger,'' said Brian Nedrich, a marshal at the second hole.

''That's because I was the one Tiger heard say that Sergio hit.''

Nedrich said he was about 10 yards from Woods, and while he could barely see Garcia, he said he got a glimpse of him swinging and saw the ball in the air. He said when the crowd began to stir around Woods, another marshal, Lance Paczkowski, tried to quiet them by saying, ''The other player hasn't hit yet.'

'''That's when I yelled back at Lance, 'No ... he's already hit,'' Nedrich told the newspaper.

''Tiger had already taken his club, but we did tell him that Sergio had hit.''It became a particularly sensitive issue to the Woods camp because several websites had the word ''lied'' in its headlines.

Sports Illustrated posted an update on its website Wednesday that it had a follow-up interview with North, who said with an earpiece in one ear, it was possible that other officials had an exchange with Woods that he didn't hear.

North said his statement about ''lacking character'' was based on his understanding that no marshal had said anything to Woods.

Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said in a statement that the comments from the marshals in the Florida Times-Union story ''definitively show that Tiger was telling the truth about being told Sergio had hit. I hope this demonstrates to some reporters the importance of accuracy and not jumping to misplaced conclusions.''

Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Major Division Baseball Poll (5/14/13)

05/15/2013 17:08:00

HOUSTON -- The Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Major Division Baseball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, c = Conference record, O = Overall record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, and next opponent.

Name C-/-O-Records–1PV-Pts-PWR–Last Gme-Next Gme-(05-12-13/05-19-13)

1. Savannah State (29-22, 17-7)–(3)—96—-2—(Won Game,(1-0), over N. C. A & T State,(G1:7-5;G2:N/A,G3:N/A), Next Weekend Series at-MEAC Tournament)

2. Bethune-Cookman (30-23, 17-7)–(3)—95—-1—(Did Not Play,(0-0), ,(G1:N/A;G2:N/A;G3:N/A), Next Weekend Series at-MEAC Tournament)

3. Jackson State (30-20, 19-5)–(2)—92—-3—(Won Series,(3-0), Florida A & M,(G1:8-7;G2:11-1:G3:6-1), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

4. Alabama State (30-23, 18-6)——–86—-4—(Did Not Play,(0-0), ,(G1:6-5;G2:9-4;G3:2-1), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

5. Delaware State (32-14, 21-3)——–54—-5—(Won Series,(2-1), over Maryland-E. S.,(G1:7-3;G2:7-4;G3:11-0), Next Weekend Series at-MEAC Tournament)

6. Southern (20-21,14-10)——–38—-6—(Did Not Play,(0-0), ,(G1:N/A;G2:N/A;G3:N/A), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

7. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (21-30,13-11)——–29—-8—(Won Series,(2-0), over Prairie View A & M,(G1:0-6;G2:5-3;G3:2-3;G4:5-8), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

8. Prairie View A & M (23-25,12-12)——–23—-7—(Lost Series,(2-0), to Arkansas-Pine Bluff,(G1:6-0;G2:3-5;G3:3-2;G4:8-5), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

9. Texas Southern (20-27,12-12)——–16—-9—(Lost Series,(2-0), to Texas,(G1:4-0;G2:12-0;G3:N/A), Next Weekend Series at-SWAC Tournament)

10. Norfolk State (19-29,13-13)——–13—-10–(Split Series,(1-1), to Old Dominion,(G1:8-3;G2:4-2;G3:N/A), Next Weekend Series at-MEAC Tournament)

Dropped Out: N/A

Receiving Votes: N. C. Central (26-26,12-12)-8

PWR = Previous Week Ranking

1PV = 1st Place Votes

Chuck Muncie, NFL Pro Bowl Back for Saints, Chargers, Dies at 60

05/14/2013 15:26:00

NEW YORK -- Chuck Muncie, a three-time Pro Bowl running back who once held the National Football League record for rushing touchdowns in a season before his career was cut short by cocaine use, has died.

He was 60.

He died Monday of a heart attack, according to the NFL’s website, citing the San Diego Chargers, his final team in the league. No further details were provided.

Muncie was the third overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 1976 NFL draft out of the University of California, where he finished second to Archie Griffin in voting for the 1975 Heisman Trophy.

At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, Muncie teamed with fellow rookie Tony Galbreath as part of a Saints backfield known as “Thunder and Lightning.”Muncie spent his first 4 1/2 NFL seasons in New Orleans and was voted the Most Valuable Player at the 1979 Pro Bowl before joining the Chargers for 4 1/2 years.

In 1981, Muncie rushed for 1,114 yards and set a then-NFL record with 19 rushing touchdowns.For his career, Muncie rushed for 6,702 yards and 71 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards a carry.

He was suspended by the NFL for the 1984 season after testing positive for cocaine and marijuana use and wouldn’t play in the league again even though he attempted a comeback in 1985.

In 1989, Muncie was in a federal prison, serving an 18-month sentence on cocaine distribution charges.After Jail“I had too much time on my hands and went to a lot of parties,” Muncie was quoted as saying in a 1999 story in Cal-Berkeley’s alumni magazine.

“Because I was famous, everyone gave me cocaine so I would hang out with them.”Muncie had said going to jail probably saved his life.

Following his release, Muncie became active in youth programs and community service, and later founded the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation to mentor at-risk youth in Southern California.

In addition to helping youth change their lives in a positive way, according to the foundation website, it also reaches tens of thousands of kids with free medical services, childhood immunizations, tattoo removal screenings and camps for chronically ill children

“I had everything, and I ruined it all because of drugs,” Muncie was quoted as saying in a 1995 Los Angeles Times story ahead of the Chargers’ Super Bowl appearance.

“I’m angry at myself. I see guys I played with doing things I could have done. But when I feel that way I look at this club and these kids and remember there is a reason for everything. I believe in my heart I was meant to do this.”

NOTE: Erik Matuszewski can be reached via e-mail at matuszewski@bloomberg.net.

MEAC Baseball Tourney set to begin Wednesday

05/14/2013 15:17:00

NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host its 2013 Baseball Championship Wednesday, May 15 through Sunday, May 19 at the Marty L. Miller Field on the campus of Norfolk State University.

The Delaware State University Hornets and the Savannah State Tigers will enter tournament play as the number seeds.Delaware State finished atop of the standings in the northern division with a 23-3 MEAC record and 33-13 overall mark.

The Hornets have won their last four games heading into the tournament and will seek their first MEAC baseball title since 1989.

Bethune-Cookman (29-21, 17-7 MEAC) and Savannah State (29-21, 17-7 MEAC) tied at number one in the southern division with SSU receiving the top seed following conference tie-breaking procedures.

The defending conference champion Bethune-Cookman will vie for their eighth consecutive MEAC title and 15 overall.North Carolina Central clinched the third seed while North Carolina A&T is the fourth and final seed in the South.

The 2013 MEAC Baseball Championship tournament gets underway Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 9 a.m.Norfolk State (N2) will face North Carolina Central (S3) on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Games two and three will include Savannah State (S1) against Maryland Eastern Shore (N4) and Delaware State (N1) and North Carolina A&T (S4). Bethune-Cookman (S2) and Coppin State (N3) will complete the action on day one beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The championship finale is set for Sunday, May 19 beginning at 1 p.m.

A complete tournament schedule of events is available on MEACsports.com.Only the top four teams in each division can compete in the two-game elimination tournament and vie for the championship title.

Florida A&M (6-18 MEAC) was eliminated from post season play.

SWAC Announces 2013 All-Conference Baseball Teams

05/14/2013 15:13:00

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – To cap the 2013 baseball regular season, Arkansas-Pine Bluff junior shortstop Isias Alcantar headlines this year's post season honors as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Alabama State sophomore pitcher, T.J. Renda, was tabbed Pitcher of the Year while Grambling State senior outfield specialist, Darren Farmer, received Hitter of the Year.

To close out the SWAC baseball superlatives, Alabama State outfielder, Dillon Cooper, earned Freshman of the Year with Jackson State junior outfielder, Charles Tillery, capturing Newcomer of the Year. UAPB head coach, Carlos James, was named the league's Coach of the Year.

The awards, along with first and second-team All-SWAC honors, are voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors.

In all, eastern division champions Jackson State had the most selections with six. JSU's count also includes a league best on the first team with three.

Western division champions, Southern, followed with five selections with two named to the first team. Alabama State had four selections while Grambling State, Texas Southern, and Alabama A&M finished the voting with two apiece. Prairie View A&M, Mississippi Valley State, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff rounded out the count with each posting a player on the first team.

Alcantar played in 51 games leading UAPB with a .346 batting average while finishing fourth in the SWAC. He ranked first in the SWAC in hits (68), total bases (96), at bats (198), and batting average facing two outs (.459).

He also led the Golden Lions in slugging percentage (.485) and RBI (38).

Renda finished out the season with the best record on the mound in the league going 8-1. He suffered his only loss to last year's NCAA national champions, Arizona. He was named SWAC Pitcher of the Week on two occasions and posted the best earned run average (2.28 ERA) in 12 appearances.

Renda also led the league in strikeouts (83), sitting down 26 batters looking.

After finishing last season as the Newcomer of the Year, Farmer adds the hitting title to his collegiate career. He sits atop of SWAC leaders in batting average with at .361. He also led the SWAC in sacrifice flies (9) while finishing third in RBI (36).

Farmer was also named SWAC Player of the Week during the season.

In his first season on the collegiate level, Cooper played started more than 50 games. He recorded an on-base percentage of .363 while batting .298. He finished third on the team in home runs (3), runs scored (31), hits (54) and doubles (9).

Tillery closed out his first season in the SWAC with a .353 batting average which ranked third in the conference. He also led the league in on-base-percentage (.479). Along with his batting average, Tillery led JSU in runs scored (47), hits (61), walks (33), stolen bases (24), at bats (185) and home runs (4).

Coach James was tagged Coach of the Year after leading UAPB to 21-30 record including a 13-11 mark in conference play. The Golden Lions finished home play at the Torri Hunter Baseball Complex with a 12-9 record.

The Golden Lions pitching staff combined for an earned run average of 4.20 which ranks first in the conference. Three were named to a conference leading SWAC Pitchers of the Week this year.

UAPB also led the SWAC in assists (575) and combined batting average with two outs (.237).

To spotlight the season, UAPB defeated TCU, 6-4, before closing out the year with a two-game sweep over Prairie View A&M. With the wins, the Golden Lions jumped to second place in the final western division standings. The Golden Lions were selected to finish fifth in the preseason poll after ending its 2012 campaign 8-38 (6-18 SWAC).

Joining Alcantar, Renda, and Farmer on the first team include: Prairie View A&M's Dominiq Harris (1B), SWAC leader in stolen bases, Mississippi Valley State's Edmund Cheatham (2B), Alabama A&M freshman Austin Husley (SS), Texas Southern's Ellis Stephney (OF), Southern's Tyler Kirksey (OF) and Jose DeLeon (P), along with Jackson State trio of Andre Rodriguez (RP), Jose Cruz (C), and Malcolm Tate (DH).

Tillery earned second team honors with Ethan Bright (1B - Jackson State), Stephen Curtis (2B - Jackson State), Juan Bueno (SS - Grambling State), Waldyvan Estrada (Alabama State - OF), Patrick Dodson (OF - Alabama A&M), Jesse Holiday (P - Southern), Marcos Lara (P - Texas Southern), Josh Powell (RP - Southern), Richard Gonzalez (C - Alabama State) and Kevin Williams (DH - Southern).

FIRST TEAM

SP - T.J. Renda (Alabama State)

SP - Jose DeLeon (Southern)

RP - Andre Rodriguez (Jackson State)

C - Jose Cruz (Jackson State)

1B - Dominiq Harris (Prairie View A&M)

2B - Edmund Cheatham (Mississippi Valley State)
SS - Isias Alcantar (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

3B - Austin Husley (Alabama A&M)

OF - Ellis Stephany (Texas Southern)

OF - Darren Farmer (Grambling State)

OF - Tyler Kirksey (Southern)

DH - Malcolm Tate (Jackson State)

SECOND TEAM

SP - Jesse Holiday (Southern)

SP - Marcos Lara (Texas Southern)

RP - Josh Powell (Southern)

C - Richard Gonzalez (Alabama State)

1B - Ethan Bright (Jackson State)

2B - Stephen Curtis (Jackson State)
SS - Juan Bueno (Grambling State)

3B - Leo Rojas (Alabama State)

OF - Charles Tillery (Jackson State)

OF - Waldyvan Estrada (Alabama State)

OF - Patrick Dodson (Alabama A&M)

DH - Kevin Williams (Southern)

AWARDS

Player of the Year: Isias Alcantar - Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Pitcher of the Year: T.J. Renda - Alabama State
Hitter of the Year: Darren Farmer - Grambling State
Newcomer of the Year: Charles Tillery - Jackson State
Freshman of the Year: Dillon Cooper - Alabama State
Coach of the Year: Carlos James - Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Alabama State’s Grant Wins PGA Minority Championship

05/13/2013 17:11:00

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Robert Grant eagled the 18th hole to force a playoff, and then birdied the first playoff hole to win the individual competition on the final day of the PGA Minority Championship presented by Brown Capital Management.

In team play, the Hornets finished in third place, 12 shots behind winner Bethune-Cookman and 11 shots behind second-place Texas Pan American.

“Our effort was good enough, though we didn’t play our best which we needed to do to win,” assistant coach Robert Clark said.

“I am extremely proud of our young men. They represented themselves and ASU proudly.”

Clark holed out on his second shot from 133 yards on the par 4 18th to force a three-way playoff.

Playing 18 again, he hit his approach shot two feet from the cup to tap in for the one-stroke win over Justin Watkins of Central Oklahoma and Daniel Inocencio of UNLV.

“I absolutely pured the shot from 133 yards and saw it hit the flag. Then I saw my teammates go crazy and I knew it was in,” said Grant, who shot a final round 1-over 73 and finished with a 5-over total of 221. “Then, to hit another great shot in the playoff was just incredible. This event is our National Championship, and it’s so great to win it.”

Grant won the title in his first time playing in the individual competition for the Alabama State.

In team play, the Hornets couldn’t close the gap in the final round, as ASU posted a 301 score for the second time in three days. Branson Ferrier shot his second straight 2-under par round of 70 on Sunday, and finished with a 2-under total of 214 to finish second individually among team competitors.

Francis Berthiaume shot 4-over 76 to finish with a 218 total. Chris Wilson shot his best round of the tourney on Sunday, with a three-over 75 to finish at 229. Jose Rodriguez (8-over 80; 235) and Dan Park (10-over 82; 242) completed the scoring for Alabama State.

“Robert, along with Branson’s performance, represents what elite athletes strive for – to play in the state of flow known as ‘The Zone,’” head coach Dr. Gary Grandison said. “Robert’s performance should provide significant television coverage for our University.”

The 2013 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management highlight show will air on Wednesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. on Golf Channel. Additional re-air times are Tuesday, July 9 at 1 p.m., and Tuesday, July 23 at 1 p.m.

All times are central.

The back-to-back SWAC Champions will get set to play in the NCAA Tournament regional round this Thursday-Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

HBCU Softball Roundup: NCAA Tournaments

05/13/2013 17:07:00

NEW YORK (BP) -- The Mississippi Valley State softball team gathered Sunday night in the Devil’s Den on campus to find out where and when it will play in the NCAA Tournament.

As the NCAA Softball Selection Show aired on ESPNU, the SWAC champion Devilettes were elated to learn the news that they’ll be traveling this week to play in the regional hosted by No. 13 South Alabama (45-7) in Mobile, which is scheduled for May 17-19.

Other teams competing in the regional include Mississippi State (32-22) and Florida State (41-16). The Devilettes (24-26) will begin the tournament on Friday against South Alabama at 6 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN3.

“I’m glad that this good group of players gets to keep their season going,” said MVSU head coach Lee Smith. “They worked hard all season and showed what they’re made of at the SWAC Tournament by winning five straight games. They’ve excelled both on the field and in the classroom, so this is something that they definitely deserve.”

It marks the eighth time MVSU has played in the NCAA Tournament. The Devilettes hold a 3-16 record in the tournament, with wins against Missouri and Cornell in 2004 and Chattanooga in 2009.

The Devilettes earned a spot in the tournament following five straight victories in last week’s SWAC Tournament in Decatur, Ala. MVSU defeated Alabama State 11-3 to win its eighth tournament title in the last 10 years.

MEAC

The 2013 Champion Hampton University will face the (No. 2) University of Florida in the Gainesville Regional of the 2013 NCAA Division I Softball Championship, May 17-19.

The Lady Pirates (33-24) earned the post-season berth after defeating local-rival Norfolk State, 7-3, in the title game of the MEAC’s double-elimination tournament Saturday, May 11. The Lady Pirates have won 15 of their last 18 games and clinched the tournament’s No. 1 seed in the north heading into post season play.

Hampton head coach Trena Peel, in her third season, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Coach and freshman Taylor McCoy was named Most Outstanding Performer.

Florida swept the Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season and tournament championships, beating Missouri 10-4 in the title game on Saturday. Florida is 52-7 and has won 12 of its last 14 games.

This is the second appearance for the Lady Pirates in the NCAA Division I tournament.

Hampton made its first appearance in 1996 against Nicholls State, losing both games. This will be the first meeting between Hampton and Florida.

In addition Hampton and Florida, Georgia Southern and South Florida will compete in the Gainesville Region in a double-elimination format, rounding out the field of four teams looking to advance to the Super Regional.

The Lady Pirates is one of thirty-one teams to be awarded a conference automatic qualification to the 64-field tournament. The top 16 teams were seeded nationally and will play at campus sites beginning this weekend.

Team pairings were determined by geographical proximity, with the exception that teams from the same conference were not paired during regional competition.

DIVISION II

CIAA Champion Winston-Salem State University will play host to six Atlantic Regional teams in the NCAA DII Baseball Championships. The Rams secured the #2 seed and host site following an announcement Sunday evening by the NCAA.

SIAC Champion Stillman College (30-14) is headed to Tampa to face the South Region's top seed and host the University of Tampa (39-10).

The South Region will feature several national powers as four of the last seven NCAA II national champions will be among the field. Host institution Tampa (39-10) won the 2006 and 2007 championships and will be joined by fellow Sunshine State Conference member Florida Tech (32-17).

Last season's region and national runner-up Delta State (42-9-1) will join West Florida (35-12), who won the 2011 crown as it represented South Region and Gulf South Conference, along with the 2013 GSC champion Valdosta State (33-16).

This will be the 6th time in seven years that Stillman will participate in the South Region Tournament. Last season, the Tigers and head coach Dony Crawford made history by winning their opening round game against host school Tampa 6-5 in 13 innings before continuing to turn heads defeating Nova Southeastern 6-4 and UAH 11-5.

The Tigers fell in the regional final to Delta State.

In the Atlantic Region, the Millersville University Marauders from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with bring in a 38-6 record and will be the #1 seed. They will face #6 seed Concord University, winner of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Mountain Lions will enter the Atlantic Regional with a 36-18 overall record.

The WSSU Rams will be the #2 seed and bring in a 38-11 overall record. They will face the #5 seed East Stroudsburg (33-16). The Warriors are the champions from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

The final two teams in the 2013 Atlantic Regional are the #3 seed Griffins of Seton Hill University from West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the #4 seed Raiders of Shippensburg University from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

The Griffons of Seton Hill will enter with a 39-15 overall record, and the Raiders will enter with a 28-20 overall record.

The Atlantic Region double elimination tournament will be played at Wake Forest’s Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park. South Region combatants begin play Thursday at the University of Tampa Baseball Field.

The championship provides for eight regional sites hosting six teams. All regionals are double-elimination tournaments and will be played May 16-19. Regional champions will advance to the double-elimination championship finals May 25-June 1 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

The finals will be hosted by Mount Olive and the town of Cary, N.C.