How Accurate Will HBCU Football Predictions be in 2014?

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If you look at preseason media predictions during various football conference media days, it is easy to see who many believe will be in the mix for either a postseason birth or a conference championship in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA and SIAC.

The road to a conference or division championship, however, won’t be an easy one.

SWAC

Voters say: Southern will win SWAC West.

Why will they: Even though Southern is replacing Dray Joseph who led them to a SWAC championship in 2013 with freshman Deonte Shorts, the offensive returns four starters from last year’s offensive line and are deep at running back with the likes of leading rusher Lenard Tillery, Pittsburgh transfer Malcolm Crockett and junior Jamarus Thomas. On defense, the secondary is young but returns all starters from a unit that has looked strong during fall camp to go along with a linebacker corps that returns senior linebackers Daniel Brown and Javon Allen.

Why they won’t: Starting quarterback Deonte Shorts hasn’t taken a snap under center at Southern. Although he was tabbed the guy by head coach Dawson Odums, Shorts didn’t win the job outright until nearly a week before the season. Additionally, Odums said he will go with a two-quarterback system against Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday. This might signal there still is some uncertainty at the position.

Read more at HBCU Sports.

Religion News: It Seems Difficult to Wait on Wings

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Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NIV).

It seems difficult to wait on wings as a believer, especially a young believer. Some people spend their whole lives waiting on wings. (In other words, some people spend their whole lives waiting on God to take them to a comfortable place in their lives where they can thrive and flourish.)

Isaiah 40: 30-31:

 

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

But sometimes it seems to be tough to wait on God’s restoration in our lives. Many times, our only available transportation is a leap of faith. It seems difficult to wait on wings…

Private companies are building prisons based on low reading skills: it seems difficult to wait on wings. More education is needed to survive in our economy but the cost of education keeps on rising: it seems difficult to wait on wings. Young people are increasingly having sex more than ever and the church refuses to talk about sex: it seems difficult to wait on wings. When older people can’t understand the struggle of our young people, it seems difficult to wait in wings.

It’s ever rewarding to fit in instead of standing out like God has called us to do. It seems difficult to wait on wings.

This could be why Isaiah 40:30 says, “Even the youths will faint or grow weary; and the young will fall and be exhausted.”

Chapters 40-66, in Isaiah, talk about God’s restoration of Israel. Judah and Jerusalem were taken over by the Babylonians. Therefore, God’s ability to save was in question. They knew that God could save them but didn’t know if God would save them. They didn’t doubt God’s power but doubted God’s intervention. They heard 40:8, “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” but they didn’t see God’s word.

It seems this portion of scripture was written to remind Israel that compared with the gods, the nations, the princes and rulers, and even the central gods of the Babylonian religion; God was the only true and living God. God has shown God’s power in creation and in control during crisis. God has shown and proven that God is worth waiting on. The difficult task of waiting on wings cannot be compared to God’s power.

So what is the purpose of wings?

Wings are needed for us to go somewhere in life. We need wings to explore what it is that God has for us, because if we stay where we are God really hasn’t done anything for us, and we haven’t done anything for ourselves. Thus, wings are the vehicle in which God uses to take us to our destiny. And therefore, if you can peak into the future of your life and you see yourself somewhere beyond where you are now; you’re going somewhere.

However, if you don’t see yourself beyond where you are right now either you need to see about your wings or you turned in your wings too soon. For when we don’t live to go somewhere, we don’t live at all.

Rev. Dr. Myles Munroe says in his must-read book, Maximizing Your Potential: The Keys to Dying Empty, “Every individual is a living treasure….true success is what you have done compared to what you could have done.” In other words, we all have something to offer that glorifies God but the true test to if we are offering that very thing is comparing what we have done to what we could have done.

It’s answering the question: what have I done and could it have been better?

Stillman College gets $2 Million Gift from Anonymous Donor

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bildeAn anonymous donor has committed to giving Stillman College $2 million, the largest single gift in the private school’s history.

“Stillman has been very fortunate to secure the commitment of this $2 million contribution from a supporter who has a storied history of giving to the college,” Dennis Driver, chairman of Stillman’s board of trustees, said in a statement released Tuesday.

The gift was announced Tuesday by Stillman. The gift will be used for the long-term stability of the college, according to the release. The college will receive the $2 million during the fall semester. It will help pay certain financial obligations, Driver said.

Driver also challenged his fellow trustees and Stillman’s alumni to find opportunities to support the college.

“This gift will allow us to make a significant impact on our financial responsibilities and provide increased opportunities for our students. Our ability to do this supports the Stillman mission of providing an enriching educational environment for our current and future students. We hope that this donation will serve as an incentive for our alumni and the community to support Stillman at an unprecedented level,” Stillman President Peter Millet said in the release. Referenced from Tuscaloosa

Howard University Hospital Receives $11M Grant to Research Ebola and HIV

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Story by – In the Capital 

Things are looking up for Howard University Hospital now that it will be receiving nearly $11 million in federal grants to research a new Ebola drug and HIV resistance related to sickle cell disease.

According to Howard officials, at least $2 million from the National Institutes of Health will go toward developing new therapeutics to target a particular protein of the Ebola virus, VP30. Another $2 million will go toward researching HIV resistance in people with sickle cell disease. The final $7 million will be dedicated to train minority students and fellows for the new Center for Hemoglobin Research in Minorities.

This news proves promising for the university hospital that furloughed its staff last summer and received a grim review from Moody’s Investor Service earlier this year. Moody’s reported that the university hospital’s usage had dropped with expenses accumulating over time. After Moody’s downgraded Howard’s credit rating twice in less than a year, Moody’s explained that it was the school’s teaching hospital that led to the university’s continued downgrade.

According to Moody, there was an estimated $37 million operating loss for the hospital in the fiscal year that closed on June 30. The loss was a result of declining patient admissions, among other factors. It’s worth noting that patient service, Moody’s said, accounted for approximately 30 percent of annual revenue that totals $840 million a year. Continue Reading

TSPN Sports Changes Name to HBCU Sports

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TSPN Sports is announcing the change of its name to HBCU Sports.

A media organization, launched by Rashad Interactive, LLC in 1997 for the sole purpose of providing sports coverage on the member schools of the SWAC, has since evolved and is taking on the challenge of becoming a leader in covering the entire HBCU sports landscape.

“Having a name that clearly identifies what our organization is about will help us to expand our audience in so many ways,” said founding editor and publisher Kenn Rashad. “It’s something we constantly struggled with using the old name.”

Rashad Interactive acquired the HBCUSports.com domain from the Onnidan Group, the firm that manages Onnidan’s HBCUSports Online (Onnidan.com) led by Eric Moore. According to an agreement signed by both parties in July, the Onnidan Group will own a minority interest in HBCU Sports going forward.

“This move would not have been possible if it wasn’t for Eric’s ability to share my vision on the future of HBCU digital content,” Rashad said. “Eric and his operations at the Onnidan Group serve as the foundation that has enabled many of the HBCU digital properties we have online today stay in existence. I can only hope to continue to the legacy he has created going forward.”  Continue reading “TSPN Sports Changes Name to HBCU Sports”

Marauders Hosts Scrimmage for ‘Fan Appreciation Day’

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“C-H-A…R-G-E… Marauders charging up for victory!”

On a blazing hot Saturday in Wilberforce, Ohio the Central State University Marauders held a ‘Fan Appreciation Day’ scrimmage for students, faculty, staff and friends and supporters of the football team at McPherson Stadium on campus.

Hoping this year will be better than the last, students came out on Aug. 23 to support the CSU Marauders football program in the masses. At one point in time, Central State students, alumni and friends did the wave.

The Marauders posted a 2-9 record during the 2013 football year. This year, the Marauders face off against the Texas Southern Tigers in Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The first football game of the year will be a home game against the Clark Atlanta Panthers on Sept. 6.

Howard and Morehouse to Meet for Final Time in AT&T Nations Football Classic

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First Appeared on Onnidan
When Morehouse College and Howard University meet in the 2014 AT&T Nation’s Football Classic® on Saturday, Sept. 13 at RFK Stadium, it will mark the end of a four-year run for both institutions. The inaugural Classic reignited the football rivalry between the schools in 2011, and launched a new sports tradition in the nation’s capital.Nations Football Classic

“Building the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic has been a labor of love, and we’ve been honored to have great partners like Howard and Morehouse help us develop and showcase the event as a four-day experience,” said Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC’s Sports and Entertainment Division.

“We’ve made a concerted effort to offer a variety of events throughout the weekend because from the onset, our goal was to compliment the game with activities that highlighted education, networking and entertainment,” added Moses. “We’re excited for the Classic’s future, and the competition to come. Stay tuned for updates in early 2015 on the next matchup.” READ FULL

Morgan State Freshman Football Player Marquese Meadow Dies

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bal-bs-sp-marquese-meadow-20140824Originally appeared on the Baltimore Sun 

Marquese Meadow, an 18-year-old freshman at Morgan State University and defensive lineman on the Bears football team, died early Sunday morning at Johns Hopkins Hospital two weeks after becoming disoriented at practice, school officials said.

Meadow, a Washington native, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, and then to Hopkins, following practice on Aug. 10, according to Clinton Coleman, director of public relations and communications at Morgan. Coleman said Meadow was hospitalized since then, and was showing signs of improvement before his condition began to deteriorate Saturday.

“Our prayers go out to the family for comfort at this time,” Coleman said. “He was a well-liked young man on the team.”

His death is the second college football practice-related death in Maryland this year, following the March death of Navy freshman Will McKamey, who collapsed following a non-contact drill. The running back from Knoxville, Tenn. died three days later at Maryland Shock Trauma. READ FULL 

Janelle Monae Emulates Black Greeks in New Music Video

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We just love Janelle Monae. Watching her new, dope music video for ‘Electric Lady’ from the studio album titled with the same name—“The Electric Lady,” might have you wanting to go Greek.

In the video Janelle imitates Zeta Phi Beta sorority. But she calls her sorors the ‘Electro Phi Betas.’ (And Q.U.E.E.N.S. T-Boz, Estelle, Esperanza Spalding, Monica and Kimbra appear as Electro Phi Beta sorority sisters!) How cool is that?

Watch the video and let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

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The 10 Most Essential Attributes of an HBCU Trustee

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Originally appeared on the Huffington Post by Charlie Nelms, Ed.D

Throughout my career in higher education, I had the privilege of serving as a trustee or director of numerous national, regional and local boards. These included higher education associations, banks, foundations, think tanks, economic development entities, youth-serving organizations and school boards, among others. Even in retirement, I have the opportunity of contributing to the commonweal by serving as a trustee on more than a half-dozen, national or local non-profit boards. As a lifelong activist and advocate for social justice, I cannot think of a better way to serve the needs of the community than as a board member of a non-profit organization. I am just as enthusiastic about being a trustee today as I was when I was appointed to the Pine Bluff Arkansas Bi-racial Commission as a 19-year-old college student at the height of the Civil Rights movement.

Like many of my friends and colleagues, I have been struck by recently alleged behavior attributed to some HBCU trustees. Unfortunately, the alleged behavior of a few has a way of imputing the character of all HBCU trustees more so than appears to be the case at PWIs. Having held leadership positions at multiple PWIs and two HBCUs, I know from first-hand experience that HBCUs do not hold a monopoly on trustees whose motives are suspicious or whose actions are inconsistent with the values of the university on whose board they serve.

In reflecting on my own service as a trustee, and in the context of the governance challenges faced by a growing number of HBCUs, I thought it might be useful to identify the essential attributes of an effective university trustee whether the person is affiliated with an HBCU or PWI, a profit or non-profit organization. I am convinced that an effective trustee is an effective trustee no matter where the person happens to serve. So, what are the prerequisites for effective trusteeship? What follows are ten essential attributes.

1. There is no substitute for integrity. Either board members behave in an ethical, honest and unconfutable manner or they do not. There should be neither whispers nor audible sounds about the motives or actions of board members individually or collectively.

2. Trustees must believe passionately and unreservedly in the mission and role of the institution on whose board they are honored to serve. This doesn’t mean that one should not ask questions. Rather, it means that one’s questions should not challenge the primary mission of the institution or the premise upon which it was established. These questions should have been before agreeing to join the board.

3. An effective trustee understands the policy role of the board and respects the administrative authority of the CEO of the organization. Equally as important, he/she respects the consensus of board and abstains from leading efforts to produce a different outcome.

4. Influence, affluence and expertise are typically among the most important criterion for being appointed to a particular board. Trustees must bring something to the board other than their physical presence or personal interests. Too often, however, the relationship between the appointing officer and the person appointed trumps everything, including expertise.

Read Full at the Huffington Post 

NCAA: 5 Years Probation for Cheyney

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maxresdefaultCheyney University was placed on five years probation by the NCAA on Thursday for multiple infractions regarding the university’s lack of control over its certification processes, according to a decision rendered  the by the Division II Committee on Infractions.

Beginning in 2007 through 20011, Cheyney, the nation’s oldest African-American University, was found to have allowed 109 student-athletes to practice, compete, receive travel expenses and athletically related financial aid before receiving their amateur certification from the NCAA.

The committee also concluded that a former university compliance director failed to monitor when she did not follow proper procedures in the certification of student-athlete’s eligibility.

The probationary period is effective immediately and runs through August 20, 2019.  Other penalties include relinquished NCAA voting privileges until Aug. 20, 2019; a self-imposed postseason ban for all sports during the 2013-14 academic year; and the vacating of all wins in which ineligible student-athletes competed during the 2007-08 through 2010-11 academic years.

According to the NCAA, a member of the men’s basketball team was permitted to play while not fully enrolled in the minimum required credit hours and was not making appropriate progress toward finishing his degree work.
Read more at Philly

Bowie State’s Walk-On Becomes NFL Prospect

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AR-140829716 When redshirt senior Khari Lee enrolled as a freshman at Bowie State University, he was considered a football project: A raw and talented player that had yet to tap into his full potential.

Now, entering what could be his final year of organized football, the Western Tech High School graduate is considered the best tight ends in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (he was named first team All-CIAA in 2013 and a 2014 preseason pick) and one of the top players in all of Division II college football.

“[Bowie State coach Damon Wilson] gave me a chance,” said Lee, who added that he started playing the sport at age 7 as a running back for the Pikesville Wildcats. “All my success — I actually got cut from my high school team freshman year — all the praise goes to my coaches that stayed on top of me and pushed me to realize my potential.”

Lee, who caught 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown last fall, has improved each year in the Bulldogs offense. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Lee, a finance major that is interested a career in real estate or financial advising, said he wasn’t heavily recruited out of Baltimore County and chose to walk-on at Bowie State due to affordable tuition.

“Khari is the reason you coach college football,” said Wilson READ FULL AT Gazzette 

5 Tips to Tame Your Temper at Financial Aid Offices #HBCUFreshmanBible

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One, two, three, four, five, six people… I’m counting six people currently ahead of me in line for financial aid questions, concerns and issues that needs to be addressed for the new academic year. And I’m annoyed.

No. I’m pissed, actually.

(Insert any “wtf” gif that relates to my, and several other students attending historically black colleges and universities, situation.)

I’m pissed because my particular question, concern and issue should have been handled weeks ago. You see, this is one of many reasons why I love to hate the financial aid process at HBCUs.

At black colleges, it seems to me, the financial aid folks will respond back to your urgent needs and wants only when the “agents” are good and ready to.

But no matter how bad you want to slap everyone working the office that day—it’s important to deal with financial aid representatives in a positive way.

Here’s 5 tips to tame your temper when visiting financial aid offices at a black college:

1. Think twice before you speak

Trust me. The best way to go about dealing with the agents at the financial aid office is to think before you speak. The last thing you want is to say something that you would regret at a later date. Financial aid reps may be petty at times. But don’t you stoop so low.

2. Be polite

Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be a little extra if you must. A smile and a good approach will take you far during your matriculation at a black college.

3. Document EVERYTHING

OMG. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to document the whole shebang when interacting with financial aid agents. From the time you enter up to the time you graduate, documentation will be your savior at an HBCU.

Write down names and numbers. Save letter statements and emails. And use such as empirical evidence when an agent act as if he or she don’t know what’s going on. Okay?

4. Resolve the issue

Resolve the issue at hand rather than to focus on who or what made you mad. Your temper can make things a lot worse. Woosah, homie.

5. Plan ahead

Take a timeout from your studies and social life on the yard before handling your business at the financial aid office. Proper planning is key. Know what you’re seeking, and state your questions and concerns directly without offending the good ol’ folks at financial aid.

Ready for college but not sure what to expect, or even bring? Before you say goodbye to your parents and friends, check out this ultimate guide to surviving your first year in college, and in particular at the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We created the #HBCUFreshmanBible to help build a bridge for students to make a successful transition from high school to black colleges, you can read more here.

Stay Consistent

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USA Today reports:

10 a.m. Saturday – Michael Brown, 18, was unarmed, St. Louis County Police Chief Joe Belmar says in a news conference. Belmar says Brown physically assaulted the officer, and during a struggle between the two, Brown reached for the officer’s gun. One shot was fired in the car followed by other gunshots outside of the car.

In light of this tragedy, generations of people of all races have come together to stand up for the rights of black people. In the 21st century: Protests, rallies, and social media have connected thousands of passionate people, but there are some familiar trends in our protests and social media tactics should not be repeated this time around.

Be a consistent advocate.

It’s easy to “repost”, “retweet”, or “reblog”, but do you really know what you are posting? Does it just look acceptable because that’s what everyone else is doing? Did you do your research? Social media can be compared to a game of telephone, stories can become unclear and the real message is lost; we must commit to our message and be strategic in the way we transfer information amongst each other and to the world, so that our true agenda is being heard and our message stays consistent. Make sure that when the message finally gets to you, you are aware of the topic without and biases and can stand firm on your beliefs. Know what you stand for and always do your own research before following the crowd.

Be consistent in your message and beliefs.

Our thoughts, fights, and hashtags never seem to last very long. What will it be next? A revealing outfit worn by a celebrity or the latest reality shows drama? Once the constant media coverage of one topic is through, we jump to the next big trend in Hollywood. Yes, it is okay to discuss other topics happening in our society, but don’t stray too far away the important issues that plague our communities. Let’s stay consistent in our message for change in America, a change that offers all people regardless of skin color or class the equality and justice they were granted as American citizens under the constitution. Let’s look beyond what is “trending” or “popular” and show the world that we take our fight seriously.

 Be consistent in your image.

#IfIWereGunnedDown has become one of the popular trending hash tags on social media. This hash tag was created to show how the media portrays African Americans when violence and death are reported. Although there is importance in this new photo trend, there is a need for black people to change the way we present ourselves on social media entirely.

The sad truth is that we do not have the luxury of being educated, well off, and frivolous on social media without it being used against us one day.

In the words of Carson Byrd, “ I applaud those wanting to take a stand to media role in skewing the perception of African Americans BUT please understand the complexity and root of the issue. If we as people consciously know that the media is not on our side, why give them fuel to use. If we are fully aware that the media will use the negative images then we must only portray ourselves in a positive manner. We cannot expect the media to depict us in an educated manner if we continually give them material that presents us in an uneducated light.”

In America the media is one of the largest outlets of socialization, knowing this we as black people must portray positive images of ourselves on media outlets to combat and hopefully one day overpower the negative images circulating America’s everyday news, television and social media outlets. If we know that there is even the slightest possibility of a photograph being used as blackmail or as a negative stereotype in the eyes of today’s society, we should not post it. Being self-aware black people should be conscious of the images they put out into cyber space for dominant culture to misconstrue and use to misrepresent our people and us. We should stay consistent in putting out positive images into the world and giving the media less ammunition to paint biased pictures of us in the media.

NSU Interim President Calls Next Six Months “Critical”

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Eddie Moore

 

By Joanne Kimberlin

Referenced form Hampton Roads

Norfolk State University is getting its act together, but the next six months are “critical to our survival and success,” said Eddie Moore Jr., NSU’s interim president.

Major progress has been made on the backlog of unfinished financial reports that landed NSU in hot water with its regional accrediting agency last year, but multiple problems persist and money is tight.

Moore gave that update during his state of the university speech, delivered Monday on the Norfolk campus. Applause erupted when he announced that NSU will submit the required financial reports by mid-October – the deadline set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SACS placed the university on “warning” status because of a checklist of shortcomings, including two years worth of incomplete financial reports.

Moore, hired in September after NSU’s most recent president was fired, said he “longs for the day” when properly executed financial statements aren’t news or cause for applause.

“After all,” he told his audience, “it’s the minimum expected from a university of this caliber.”

Moore said a switch in financial management systems caused the foul-up. The transition was so rocky, he said, administrators lost track of how much money they had available to spend. Last year, they even instituted an across-the-board hiring freeze, unaware the coffers held $2 million more than the new system showed. Read Full 

SSU Receives $1.4 Million NSF Grant to Prepare STEM Teachers

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Savannah_State_UniversitySAVANNAH–Savannah State University (SSU) is the recipient of a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. The five year grant, which begins Sept. 1, will prepare STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – teachers for high-need middle and high school classrooms.

“This initiative will enhance Savannah State’s ability to produce a well-qualified pool of teachers in the STEM subject areas, which will help alleviate workforce shortages in this area of national need,” said C. Reynold Verret, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at SSU.  “Through the Noyce grant activity and by preparing key educators, SSU will address the need to cultivate the pipeline of future STEM professionals who will drive our economy.”

In partnership with Savannah Technical College and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, SSU faculty members from both the School of Teacher Education and the College of Sciences and Technology will recruit, mentor, educate and certify students to increase the number of high-quality, technology education-certified STEM teachers.

During the five-year grant period, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is expected to prepare at least 28 undergraduate math and engineering majors and 10 STEM professionals to become certified in grades 6-12. The Noyce scholars – SSU juniors and seniors and STEM professionals – will each be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship per year.  To cultivate an interest in the teaching profession, 20 students from Savannah Technical College and SSU will be tapped each year for the Summer Educational Internship Program and will be eligible for $1,000 stipends.   Local school systems will provide the teacher candidates with clinical experiences, professional mentors and a detailed induction process, which will include ongoing monitoring to ensure a successful classroom transition and subsequent retention.  

“Channeling talented students into the STEM fields is critically important for the economic vitality of the state,” explained Keenya G. Mosley, Ph.D., principal investigator for the grant and assistant professor in SSU’s School of Teacher Education. “One way to accomplish this task is to produce teacher candidates who will remain in the STEM classrooms. Our project has a proactive recruitment plan, comprehensive training program and a rigorous mentoring plan that will yield positive results.”

According to Savannah-Chatham County Public School System statistics supplied for the grant application, the district lost 12 percent of its STEM faculty per year between 2005 and 2012. Recently, a U.S. presidential goal was announced calling for the preparation of 100,000 new STEM teachers during the next decade. Nationally, STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018 compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. STEM skills are key to many high-demand career options including those found in computer and information technology, science, healthcare and business.

Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black college or university in Georgia and the oldest institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university’s 4,800 students select degree majors from 27 undergraduate and five graduate programs in the three colleges – Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology – and the School of Teacher Education.