Harry Carson, Steve McNair Among 11 Inducted in Black College Hall of Fame

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11 players and coaches were inducted into the Black College Hall of Fame this past Saturday. The list of inductess include 9 time Pro Bowler Harry Carson of South Carolina State University and former NFL MVP Steve McNair of Alcorn State University.

The entire list of the 2012 class is listed below:

Cleve Abbott, Head Coach, Tennessee State University
Willie Brown, DB, Grambling State University
Harry Carson, DE, South Carolina State University
Eldridge Dickey, QB, Tennessee State University
Jackie Graves, NFL Scout, Director
James Harris, QB, Grambling State University
Claude Humphrey, DE, Tennessee State University
Steve McNair, QB, Alcorn State University
Willie Richardson, WR, Jackson State University
Johnny Sample, DB/RB, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Rayfield Wright, OL, Fort Valley State University

SIAC Basketball: Week #13 Player of the Week Honors Announced

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Morehouse College junior Andrae Nelson has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week and Miles College senior Sammeika Thomas has been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after their impressive performances this past week. Stillman College sophomore Jeffrey Wherry has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week while Miles College junior Courtney English has been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week.

Nelson, a native of Valley Stream, NY, had a big week for Morehouse, averaging 23 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games, including a career-high 31 points in an upset win over Tuskegee. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound center also averaged 2.5 assists, one block, and one steal for the Maroon Tigers while helping them to a 2-0 record for the week which also included a win over LeMoyne-Owen. Nelson currently ranks fifth in the SIAC in both scoring and rebounding at 15.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while also tied for the lead at 2.4 blocks per game and ranking third with a .559 field goal percentage.

Thomas, a native of Birmingham, AL, earns her fourth player of the week honor this season after averaging 20.7 points and 17 rebounds in three games, including 28 points and 22 rebounds against Lane. The 6-foot-2 forward also averaged three steals and two blocks on defense along with 2.3 assists, helping lead the Lady Bears to a 1-2 record for the week with a win against LeMoyne-Owen. With a week left in the regular season, Thomas is currently the only women’s player averaging a double-double at 13.6 points (7th in the SIAC) and 10.7 rebounds (2nd in the SIAC) per game.

Wherry, a guard from Huntsville, AL, averaged 18 points and 6.3 assists in three games to earn his second weekly honor this season. The 6-foot-2 transfer from Prairie View A&M also averaged 2.3 rebounds and one steal while helping lead the Tigers to a 3-0 record for the week with wins against conference-foes Claflin, Kentucky State, and Lane. Wherry currently leads the SIAC with 70 three-point field goals made, averaging nearly three a game.

English, a forward from Atmore, AL, averaged 13 points and 11.3 rebounds in three games, earning her fourth weekly honor this season. The 6-foot forward also averaged 1.7 steals and one assist while helping lead the Lady Bears to a win over LeMoyne-Owen.

Police Still Searching for Tennessee State Shooting Suspect

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Authorities are still looking for a suspect who robbed and shot an 18-year-old student at Tennessee State University student in the leg early Sunday morning inside Watson Residence Hall.

The student, a freshman from Memphis, was inside the campus residence hall when, at 4:30 a.m., he was forced into his dorm room by a man who tried to rob him, said TSU spokesman Rick DelaHaya.

When the student refused to give him anything, the man shot him in the leg and left with his laptop computer and video game system, DelaHaya said.

The student was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was listed Sunday in stable condition, DelaHaya said. It’s not believed the student had life-threatening injuries.

TSU police and Metro officers are investigating. DelaHaya did not know whether the student knew his attacker or whether the suspect is also a TSU student.

TSU is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call TSU police at 615-963-5171.

Courtesy of The Tenneessean

Hampton Women Wins 2012 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championship Womens Title

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The Hampton University women’s track and field team won the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track and Field title Saturday afternoon at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md.

Hampton posted 161.50 points to win their 10th overall women’s MEAC indoor title. Maryland Eastern Shore finished in second with 121 points followed by North Carolina A&T in third with 67 points.

Lady Pirates Head Coach Maurice Pierce was named the Women’s Outstanding Coach. “We came in with the intentions thinking we could win the title.” explained Pierce. “It played out in our favor when we scored so many points in the high jump and the pentathlon.”

Shamire Rothmiller of South Carolina State and Claudia Calder of Hampton recorded 18 points a piece to earn Co-Outstanding Field Performer honors, while Maryland Eastern Shore’s Cynthia Anais, who totaled 32.50 points, was named the Outstanding Runner.

Anais set a meet record and won first place in the mile run with a time of 4:59.33. The previous mark of 5:00.44 was held by Merrecia James of UMES in 2009. North Carolina A&T’s Janessa Benn (5:05.98) and Hampton’s Alaine Tate (5:14.37) finished in second and third, respectively.

In the field events, Bethune-Cookman freshman Sasha Smallwood set a MEAC record in the pole vault with a 3.49m (11-05.25 ft.) leap. NSU’s Katie Wright held the previous mark of 3.36m (11-00.25 ft.) that she set a year ago. Wright finished in second with a 3.34m (10-11.50 ft.) jump during this year’s competition. Maryland Eastern Shore’s Chelsea Lowe finished in third with a 3.34m (10-11.50 ft.) mark.

-Final Team Standings and All-MEAC Teams Listed Below-

Women’s Team Results- 17 Events Scored
1. Hampton………………………………….. 161.50
2. Maryland Eastern Shore…………………… 121
3. North Carolina A&T…………………………… 67
4. Florida A&M…………………………………… 55
5. Norfolk State………………………………….. 45
6. Morgan State………………………………….. 42
7. Savannah State……………………………….. 37
8. Bethune-Cookman……………………….. 34.50
9. South Carolina State………………………… 29
10. North Carolina Central……………………… 27
11. Coppin State…………………………………. 21
12. Delaware State………………………………. 12
13. Howard………………………………………….. 7

Read Full Article at MEAC

Norfolk State Wins 2012 MEAC Men’s Track and Field Championships

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The Norfolk State University men’s track and field team won the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track and Field title Saturday afternoon at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md.

Full Results

On the men’s side, The Spartans captured their seventh consecutive and ninth overall MEAC indoor crown with a  total of 161.50 points. Maryland Eastern Shore was second with 93.50 points and North Carolina A&T was third with 69 points.

Spartans’ Head Coach Kenneth Giles was named the Outstanding Coach for the seventh straight year. “The coaching staff did an outstanding job with the team,” said Giles. “We have an experienced team and the student-athletes did what they were expected to do. Now, we have to get ready for nationals and the outdoor season.”

UMES’ Owen Cain, tallied 19 points and was named the Outstanding Field Performer, while Norfolk State’s Josef Tessema recorded 32.50 points to earn the Outstanding Runner Performer award for the second straight year.

It was a record setting day in men’s action as NSU’s Sean Holston ran a time of 47.24 to finish in first place in the 400m dash. His time set a new meet record eclipsing his previous mark of 47.44 that he earned a year ago. Holston also posted a meet record in the 200m dash with a time of 21.08. The previous record of 21.32 was also previously held by Holston in 2010.

NSU also set a record in the men’s 4x400m relay race with a time of 3:14.24. Delaware State held the previous time of 3:15.00 which was set in 2008.

For the latest on the 2012 MEAC Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships, log on to www.MEACsports.com.

Fisk University President Hazel O’Leary Says She Will Step Down

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Fisk University President Hazel O’Leary announced Feb. 17 plans to retire at the end of the year, falling short of her stated goal of reversing the financial dilemma facing the 146 year-old Black university.

Her announcement comes as the institution’s status among Historically Black Colleges and Universities has stabilized but remains far from the goal of financial security she set when she took the helm eight years ago and is enmeshed in an accreditation struggle and a legal fight over a plan to raise cash by selling high-priced assets.

“While much remains to be done, I am confident that Fisk, the institution I love and have led these past eight years, is in better shape than when I arrived,” she said. She gave no reason for the decision to retire but addressed some of hurdles she has faced in her retirement statement:

“Our drive for continuous improvement has been daunted by our failure to increase new student enrollment during the economic downturn,” she said. .. In her statement, O’Leary said that the school’s academic record of achievement by its graduates is not to be ignored.

The university, rated 135th in Forbes Magazine’s America’s Best Colleges and Universities in 2011, reported 46 percent of its students were accepted into graduate and professional programs in 2011, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

“The public record indicates that Fisk has achieved top tier performance among liberal arts institutions in academics, student retention and engagement,” she said in her statement.

O’Leary served in the cabinet of President Bill Clinton where she was the first Black and first woman to serve as energy secretary. She is a 1959 Fisk graduate.

Robert W. Norton, chairman of the school’s board of trustees, noted the daunting task she faced at the helm. “She served at Fisk during a difficult time in its history including cuts in student loans, a tightening of credit markets and a decline in new student enrollment. For eight years she has brought the needed vision, leadership and stability to enhance Fisk’s position as a highly ranked liberal arts university,” he said.

The school noted that during her tenure, Fisk increased research grant funding from approximately $3.7 million in FY 2007 to a total of $63.6 million in the 2008-2012 fiscal year period. Fisk also ranks in the 77th percentile of all institutions in the United States receiving federal science and engineering research funds. Read Full Article at Afro

Howard University Lady Bison Defeats Coppin

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enior guard Tamoria Holmes hit a three-pointer in the last six seconds of regulation to secure a 50-49 victory for Howard in an exciting Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup against Coppin State University (15-11 overall, 10-3 MEAC). This marks the first 20-win season for the Lady Bison since the 2000-01 campaign when the team went 21-10 under head coach Cathy Parson.

The win also marks the seventh consecutive victory for the Lady Bison (20-7 overall, 12-2 MEAC) and puts HU ahead of Coppin State University (CSU) in the MEAC standings, just below Hampton and Florida A&M for third place in the conference rankings.

Holmes tallied a game-high 23 points while collecting four steals and grabbing five boards on the night. Redshirt junior forward Saadia Doyle put together a solid effort with 12 points, six rebounds, and five steals.

The Lady Eagles began regulation with five unanswered points. Doyle ended the run at 16:05 with a basket. Holmes then scored a lay-up to put the team to within one at the 15:41 mark.

The score remained tight as both teams battled to take the lead. By halftime the score was knotted, 21-21.

The second half tipped off with a quick jumper by Holmes at the 19:40 mark for a 23-21 margin. Coppin Senior forward Crystal Whittington tied the score again on the following play.

Sophomore forward Larrissa Carter made a three-point play to give CSU a 46-43 advantage at the 2:13 mark. With 51 seconds left, Holmes then dropped a bucket inside the paint to decrease the margin to 46-45. CSU responded with a lay-up by junior forward Leola Spotwood with 41 seconds left in the ball game. Seconds later, a foul placed Spotwood on the free throw line. Spotwood converted just on one.

Holmes answered with an immediate shot off the glass at 18 seconds. With the score set at 49-47, Holmes ended the game with a deep three-ball to win the game 50-49 over Coppin State.

Carter led CSU with 11 points and nine boards. Leola Spotwood pitched in with nine points. Whittington and junior guard Shawntae Payne both grabbed nine off the glass. Read Full article at Afro

Alabama A&M fundraising on track to reach goal of $2 million

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Alabama — Fundraising is on the rise at Alabama A&M University, and the school has already exceeded its financial goal for a gala set for April.

In a presentation to the research, development and technology committee of the school’s board of trustees last week, Vice President Wendy Kobler said the school has raised more than $804,000 since Oct. 1.

That puts Alabama A&M on track to reach the goal set by President Andrew Hugine to raise $2 million by the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30.

“Those individuals who support Alabama A&M University have translated their love into dollars,” Hugine said.

For the school’s annual Black Tie Gala, set for April 12 at the Von Braun Center’s South Hall ballroom, Kobler – who oversees marketing, communications and advancement – said $164,100 has already been raised. That tops the goal of $160,000.

Maj. Gen. James Rogers, commander of the Army Aviation and Missile Command and Redstone Arsenal, will be guest speaker at the gala.

Hugine said about $1 million is “about what we’ve (raised) in the past (each year).” But on raising $2 million in donor gifts, Hugine said, “I have no doubt in my mind that goal will be reached.”

Kobler said the school has just completed a new call center to reach out to potential donors, which will enhance fundraising.

The school is promoting the Alabama A&M license plates that directed $240,000 to the school in 2011. Alabama A&M was fourth in the state in plates sold, trailing the University of Alabama, Auburn University and Alabama State University. Referenced from AL.com

Jury returns $1M verdict in Alabama State University harassment suit

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A federal jury has returned a verdict awarding more than $1 million to three women who say they were racially and sexually harassed by a female administrator at Alabama State University.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports (http://on.mgmadv.com/zl8e8z ) the jury’s verdict late Friday found the school had allowed a hostile work environment. The women claimed the administrator regularly used racial slurs and made inappropriate comments about the body of 1 plaintiff.

The administrator and 2 of the plaintiffs are black. The other woman is biracial.

Cynthia Williams, 1 of the employees who sued, left the courthouse saying, “Justice is served.”

Alabama State attorney Kenneth Thomas says the defense team is disappointed with the jury’s verdict. Spokesman Kenneth Mullinax says the university will consider an appeal.

 

Information from: Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com

FAMU, FSU students march to protest racist political ‘attitudes’

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Students at Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College will be marching in protest today against political “attitudes” that they consider racist.

They’re upset about racist comments that they say were posted on an anonymous discussion board called fsuacb.com, and they’re upset about Gov. Rick Scott, who’s white, recently telling FAMU students, most of whom are black, that he could relate to them because he also grew up in public housing.

The protesting is set to start any minute at FAMU, where FAMU students will gather at the university’s Eternal Flame in the middle of campus. FSU students will join them after 11 a.m.

FAMU students are scheduled to hold a “peaceful demonstration” at the Eternal Flame at 10:30 a.m. against Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, who they say has been quoted as saying that Scott reminds her of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

At 11 a.m., FSU students marched from FSU’s Integration Statue to FAMU’s Eternal Flame.

Students from both schools along with students from Tallahassee Community College will then march together to the Capitol “in a showcase of unity to build close community ties for equality and peace,” according to a statement the students sent out this morning.

by Denise Bolona

Maya Angelou to Speak at Cheyney University

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On Thursday, March 22, 2012, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania will present an Evening with Dr. Maya Angelou, a charitable event in support of the Keystone Honors Academy.

The event will take place on the historic Cheyney University campus and will entail a dinner reception at 5:00 PM in the Carnegie Great Room and a lecture at 7:00 PM. The lecture by Dr. Angelou will take place in the Marian Anderson Auditorium. Dr. Angelou is not scheduled to appear on the dinner program. Due to construction on our campus, there is limited accessibility to the dinner venue; if you need assistance, please call 610-399-2386 for alternative arrangements.

Sponsorship packages are available at many levels and capacities, and all proceeds from the event will benefit students in Cheyney University’s honors program. For information about sponsorships, please contact Mandy Santiago, Director of Development at 610-399-2154.

All ticket sales are final; in the unlikely event that the program is cancelled, all activities will be rescheduled.

Tickets may be purchased online, or onsite at the Cheyney University Office of the Bursar (First Floor, Wade Wilson Building). For more information call 610-399-2121.

Southern University Receives $1 Million Dollar Donation

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The Southern University System Foundation has received more than $1 million in a gift from the James and Ruth Smith Trust.

James David Smith & Ruth Johnson Smith of Southern University

The endowment, the largest bequest in the University’s history, includes assets and property from the estate of the late James David Smith and the late Ruth Johnson Smith of Santa Barbara, California, both of whom were Southern University graduates.

“We appreciate this generous gift from the estate of James and Ruth Smith. With this memorial endowment, we inherit their legacy of commitment to education and service. Their significant contribution will assist our efforts to rebuild Southern University, Baton Rouge and ensure the future of the SU System,” said Ronald Mason Jr., president of the Southern University System.

James David Smith, a Monroe native who was reared in Bastrop, received a bachelor’s degree in art from Southern

Read more  at NBC

SIAC Baseball Championship to be held in Ozark, AL

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The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced today that the SIAC Baseball Championship will be held in Ozark, AL beginning in 2012. All games will be played at historic Eagle Stadium.

“We’re excited about the city of Ozark hosting the SIAC Baseball Championship. Steve Sherrill and Ozark Leisure Services have maintained a great facility in Eagle Stadium, which should make for a first-class championship experience for our student-athletes as well as our fans and alumni that attend the game,” said SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore.

The 2012 SIAC Baseball Championship will take place Thursday, April 26th through Sunday, April 29th. The top four teams from the SIAC East and West Divisions will advance to play in the double-elimination baseball tournament.

“We have some talented basketball, baseball and football players locally. This is a great benefit for our community to educate the institutions on who we are and where we are, and hopefully it will open up some doors and avenues for our kids,” said Ozark Leisure Services Director Steve Sherrill in reference to the SIAC Baseball Championship coming to Ozark.

The 2012 SIAC Baseball Championship will also feature a brand new championship logo, which was designed by Phoenix Design Works (www.phoenixdesignworks.com).

Tennessee State University Announces 2012 Football Schedule

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The Tennessee State Tigers will host five home games in 2012. Their slate of games includes matchups with several powerhouse HBCU football programs including  Florida A&M,  Jackson State and the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

September 1:  Florida A&M, John Merritt Classic
September 8:  Jackson State, Southern Heritage Classic
September 15:  Austin Peay State University
September 22: @ Bethune-Cookman University
September 29:  University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
October 6:  Eastern Kentucky University
October 13:  @ Southeast Missouri State University
October 20:  @ Jacksonville State University
October 27: Tennessee Tech University
November 3:  @ Murray State University
November 17: @ UT Martin

Home games in BOLD