Benedict College’s Marcus Goode Honored in SIAC Week #9 Player of the Week Honors

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ATLANTA—Benedict College junior Marcus Goode has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week and Clark Atlanta University senior La’Quisha Lewis has been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after their strong performances this past week. Paine College freshman Kedric Taylor 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.

Goode, a native of Chapin, SC, earns his second player of the week honor this season after averaging 30 points and 13 rebounds in two games, including an impressive 38 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Miles. Defensively, the 6-foot-10, 260-pound center also averaged three blocks and 1.5 steals while also averaging one assist per game. Goode, who was SIAC Player of the Year as a sophomore, is currently leading the SIAC in both scoring and rebounding at 22.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, marks that currently rank fifth and third in the nation respectively. Goode is currently the only player that ranks in the top five of Division II in both scoring and rebounding. With a 7-3 record in the SIAC, Goode and the Tigers currently sit in a first-place tie atop the conference standings.

Lewis, a native of Atlanta, GA, averaged a double-double with 10.3 points and 10.6 rebounds in three games. The 6-foot-1 center was a force on defense, averaging five blocks, including totaling seven blocks against Tuskegee, and one steal per game. She helped lead Clark Atlanta to a 66-58 win over Claflin. In conference games, Lewis is second in the SIAC with 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per games.

Taylor is named SIAC’s top newcomer for the second time this season after nearly averaging a triple-double with 13.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in three games this past week. The 6-foot guard, who attended Evans High School in Orlando, FL, also averaged three steals while helping lead the Lions to a 2-1 record with victories over Morehouse and Miles. Taylor currently leads all SIAC freshmen in scoring (12.5 ppg, 15th in the SIAC), rebounding (6.5 rpg, 12th in the SIAC), assists (4.9 apg, 2nd in the SIAC), field goal percentage (.542, 6th in the SIAC), free throw percentage (.753, 12th in the SIAC), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.1, 6th in the SIAC). He is also one of only two players in Division II to record a triple-double this season.

English is named the SIAC’s top newcomer for the second consecutive week after averaging a double-double with 13 points and 10.6 rebounds in three games. The 6-foot junior from Atmore, AL also averaged 2.6 steals and two assists while helping lead the Lady Bears to a 2-1 record with wins over Benedict and Paine.

Kappa Alpha Psi Faces Hazing Accusations at Jarvis Christian College

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MARSHALL, Texas (CN) – A student at Jarvis Christian College claims fraternity members damaged his kidneys and opened wounds on his butt by beating him with heavy wooden paddles, then welcomed him to the fraternity’s “‘Century Club’ … reserved for those who could withstand at least 100 blows during this initiation process.”

Xavier Foster sued Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and four of its members – Sadallie “CJ” Cole, Waymon Humphrey, Bruce Nance and Omar McElroy – in Federal Court. Foster says when he enrolled in the Christian college in Hawkins, Texas in August 2009, friends and coaches encouraged him to pledge membership with Kappa Alpha Psi.

He says at the on-campus “intake meeting,” fraternity members and school representatives went over the pledge process and told him “the sole requirements for membership in Kappa Alpha Psi were a minimum grade point average, approval by current members and successful completion of a written examination on the history, rituals and traditions of the fraternity.”

At that meeting, Foster says, frat members and school officials said they did not tolerate “physical or psychological hazing of pledges.”

Foster says he fulfilled all requirements to join the fraternity by paying membership fees, and passing its written exam on April 24, 2010. But his new brothers had other plans for him, Foster says, and on April 30, 2010 a frat member told him to report to CJ Cole’s apartment in Hawkins for further initiation into the national fraternity and its local chapter. “There, defendants CJ Cole, Keith Humphrey and Bruce ‘BJ’ Nance physically and psychologically assaulted Foster,” the complaint states.

“These defendants stood at attention and peppered him with questions regarding the history, traditions and rituals of the fraternity, punctuating each incorrect answer with blows from heavy wooden paddles and rods.” CJ Cole, Keith Humphrey and Bruce ‘BJ’ Nance further represented to Foster that membership in the fraternity’s ‘Century Club’ was reserved for those who could withstand at least 100 blows during this initiation process.”

Later that evening, Foster says, the defendants ordered him to report to a second apartment in Hawkins for more initiation. There Cole, Humphrey and Nance were joined by the frat’s “dean of pledges” Omar McElroy, and they all set to “striking Foster about his legs and buttocks with paddles, rods and boards for approximately two more hours,” according to the complaint.

“Finally, after more than five hours of non-stop beatings, verbal and psychological abuse,” the four frat members welcomed him into Kappa Alpha Psi, and “pronounced him a member of exclusive the ‘Century Club.'”

The complaint continues: “Within days of the beatings, Foster began to succumb to his injuries. His legs and buttocks were predictably inflamed and swollen. More unexpectedly, he began to suffer nausea, cramping in his hands and feet and loss of appetite. He began to vomit and could not eat.”

On May 3, 2010, Foster’s family doctor diagnosed Foster with acute renal failure and admitted him to the hospital where doctors confirmed the admitting diagnosis through a kidney biopsy and began an immediate course of dialysis. In the meantime, the wounds on Foster’s buttocks had grown so severe that they ruptured and required complete debridement and ongoing treatment of a wound care specialist.”

He was released from the hospital 8 days later, but needed “continued medication and monitoring of his kidney function and a wound vacuum for the still-healing wounds on his buttocks.” “Since his release, Foster has undergone surgery to place skin grafts over the wounds on his buttocks.

“The damage to Foster’s kidneys was so severe that he now suffers from a permanent loss of 10 percent of his renal function. As a result, doctors have placed him on three separate medications to control his blood pressure to prevent further damage to his kidneys. “Foster continues to be under the care of physicians because of the injuries inflicted on him. He is at increased risk of future kidney damage. He has pain with sitting for long periods of time. His legs and buttocks are scarred and disfigured.”

He seeks damages and punitive damages for negligence, gross negligence, assault and battery, and pain and suffering.

He is represented by James Holmes of Henderson, Texas.

The Funding of Maryland HBCUs vs. PWIs Heads to Court

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Attorneys arguing that Maryland’s history of racially-segregated higher education is ongoing used decades-old state reports to try to make their point as a federal trial began.

The Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education alleges that practices carried over from the days of segregation at the state’s higher education commission put historically black schools at a competitive disadvantage. The coalition said there is unnecessary duplication of specialized programs offered at historically black schools, as well as funding disparities.

Maryland has appointed blue ribbon commission after blue ribbon commission to get its historically black colleges and universities “out of the hole Maryland’s policies have put them in,” attorney Michael Jones said in his opening statements.

Jones presented a series of state reports dating to the 1930s, detailing inferior funding and in many cases calling for improved funding. The reports also detail remedies including expanding offerings and creating programs that are not offered at other schools to help attract more students of all races, steps similar to those sought by the plaintiffs.

“Maryland really has no defenses in this case,” Jones said.

Attorney Craig Thompson, representing the state of Maryland, told U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake that “it is students, not institutions, that have rights under the Constitution.” He repeatedly said past practices and policies that led to a segregated education system are no longer in place.

The attorney said while the state tries to avoid duplication in higher education, prior court rulings allow duplication where there is sound educational justification.

Thompson said the case was about context, change and choice, noting that the state’s higher education system has changed since the days of segregated education and students can now choose which school they wish to attend. The attorney ticked off enrollment figures at the state’s traditionally white universities, showing the number of minority students at each had increased since the 1980s.

The evidence will show “no state actions are limiting student choice,” Thompson said.

The plaintiffs called two witnesses Jan. 3, a doctoral student at Morgan State University, one of the state’s four historically black institutions, and the school’s president, David Wilson. The university president told Blake that Morgan State has a dual mission to not only conduct research and educate graduate students, but provide access to higher education for lower-income students. Wilson said 25 percent of tuition collected by the school goes to financial aid and 90 percent of its 8,100 students receive financial aid.

Wilson said 3 percent of the school’s students are white, many of whom attend Morgan State’s architecture school, which he said provides a degree in demand by students statewide. However, he said the university’s maintenance budget is “woefully inadequate” and millions of dollars in equipment are needed campus-wide.

Blake ruled last year that the coalition failed to show inequity in the state’s capital funding formula and discrimination against a particular school.

The historically black institutions are seeking expanded and unique missions so they will “be attractive to students of all races,” plaintiffs attorney Jon Greenbaum said before arguments began.

“Right now, HBI programming is largely duplicated” at traditionally white institutions, Greenbaum said. “Historically black colleges are now more segregated than they were in the 1970s. All the trends are going in the wrong direction.”

The trial is expected to last six weeks.

Courtesy of DelmarvaNow.com

A Message to the 2012 Graduating Seniors

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Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do.- Orison Swett Marden

HBCU Graduates at Hampton University after hearing President Obama speak at their 2010 commencement. (Urban Christian News)

To the class of 2012, your time to walk across the stage is approaching. How does it feel?

Did it go by fast? Are you stressed? Was this journey easy? Are you overwhelmed? Will you have a job after you graduate? Will you make it in the “real world?”

Many who are on their last stretch in their collegiate career ask themselves these questions repeatedly and don’t know the answer. It seems as though many unplanned situations present themselves in an orderly fashion.

Many of our HBCU seniors are wondering how will they finish their last semester, find a job after graduation, pay off student loans, etc. Those who are motivated look at it differently. There are always times when situations aren’t what we want them to be, but motivation enables you to endure those difficult times.

If there is anything in life that motivates you- your family, siblings, friends, children, or your failures- think about that whenever you feel like giving up. Don’t be scared of the “real world.” All of the experiences and lessons learned in college have to be applied to life as an adult. Early morning meetings, deadlines, networking- college was supposed to prepare you for the real world. Are you ready?

A degree with NO AMBITION will get you nowhere. A degree means nothing if you don’t put effort into making it worthwhile. A degree won’t keep you warm at night, says the very smart brothers.

Get excited to use all the tools you have learned during your undergrad years. What you will soon have is power. It is now time to put your skills to the test. Be excited to teach something new to help others to do more. The tools instilled in you have prepared you to compete with others. Take advantage of every opportunity which could take you far in the future. Excuses are not an option. You must keep pushing towards the finish line; besides, who can stop you?

So get excited to reach your goals, and pull someone up with you along the way. You are prepared to make it, and the best part is you go to a HBCU. Graduation may be kind of scary, but like the great Muhammad Ali said, it’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.

SWAC Preview: 1/21/2012

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Today kicks off an exciting day of hoops in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with five games scheduled.

Starting At 4 P.M. the two schools in Alabama will leave their homes and take part in tough road conference games. The Alabama A&M Bulldogs (1-4, 3-11 SWAC) travel to the Clark Center in Baton Rouge to take on the Southern University Jaguars (8-11, 4-2 SWAC).  On January 14 the Bulldogs blew a 26-19 halftime lead and fell short to the Alabama State Hornets (7-10, 4-1 SWAC) with a final score of 50-53. The conference leaders, Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (6-11, 5-0) dismantled the Jaguars on January 16 in a 77-56 one-sided victory. G/F Casey Cantey, who averages 14.5 ppg for the Bulldogs, is looking to put his 5 point outing against the Hornets behind him. Guard Derrick Beltran scores 11.8 ppg for the Jaguars, but in the last three games has been averaging 15 a game and shooting 51 percent from the floor.

Also at 4:30 P.M., the Alabama State Hornets will visit the Alcorn State Braves (4-12, 1-3 SWAC) in the David L. Whitney Gymnasium in Lorman, MS. On January 7th the Braves had hopes of turning things around in the SWAC, but rising star Quincy Roberts scored 26 points for Grambling St. as they edged out the Braves 72-71. The Alcorn State Braves are on a three game losing streak and at the bottom of the conference.  Alabama State did fall short 67-60 to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils after leading 34-31 at the half.  Since then they’ve won two straight and are looking to keep the streak going.

The stars for each team to watch in this game: G/F Kenderek Washington, who is averaging 14.1 ppg for the Hornets, and G Twann Okaley for the Braves who has averaged 15 points a contest in the three game slip.

At 4:30 p.m, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions(2-16, 1-4 SWAC) Arkansas-Pine Bluff heads to Texas to battle the Texas Southern University Tigers (5-12, 4-1 SWAC) in the Health & PE Center, where they are currently undefeated this season.  On January 16th, Jackson State ruined Texas Southern’s aspirations of sweeping the conference in a 54-51 victory. Prior to the loss to Jackson State the Tigers were 4-0 in conference play, winning their first three games by a margin of 34 points. The game against the Golden- Lions will be a chance to see how the Tigers will respond after their first conference loss.

While TSU is trying to erase last games memories, UAPB is looking to replicate the results of their last outing. UAPB defeated Alcron State 75-68 on January 16 for their second win of the season and first conference win.  The win against the Braves ended Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 14 game losing streak.

Keys to victory for the Golden Lions will be to limit the turnovers.  Look for UAPB’ Savalace Townsend to finish with big numbers. He’s their leading scorer averaging 17.8 ppg.

TSU thrive off fast break points. The Tigers like to run the break for transition 3-pointers and easy baskets. Texas Southern G No.5 Omar Strong and G No.11 Lawrence Johnson- Danner are liable to strike fire from behind the arch at anytime.

At 5:30 Prairie View A&M Panthers (7-11, 3-2 SWAC) will host the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (6-11- 5-0) at the William Nicks Center in Prairie View, Tx. The PVAMU Panthers are currently riding a two-game winning streak, while the Delta Devils have won five in a row.  The defense of the Delta Devils has been exceptional, as they haven’t allowed any team in the conference to score 70 or more points. MVSU has the best guard/center duo in the league. G Terrence Joyner (13.9 points) and C Paul Crosby (13.4 points) are both in the SWAC’s top ten for scoring. G Louis Munks for the Panthers has been on a scoring tear. He only averages 7.9 ppg, but in the last three games he’s totaled 60 points.

At 7 P.M., hoop action in the SWAC is concluded with arguably the best two scores in the conference going head to head.  G No.1 Jenirro Bush will lead the way for the Jackson State Tigers (4-14, 2-4 SWAC) as they take on Quincy Roberts and the Grambling State University (2-14, 2-4).

Bush and his 23 points aided JSU’s upset over Texas Southern, which gave them their first conference lost. For Grambling, Roberts has been on a scoring tear since arriving from the Big East and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Last game in an 81-64 loss, Roberts totaled a career high of 34 points.  These two Tiger teams have been inconsistent in conference play, but no matter the outcome of this game expect to see nice offensive play from Roberts and Bush.

Quincy Roberts Shines at Grambling State University

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Quincy Roberts (Johnny Jungle)

Quincy Roberts has come over to the SWAC from the Big East and brought his game to the big stage at Grambling State University.

In his first three games of conference play, Roberts leads the SWAC in scoring with a 27.67 points per game average while shooting 50% from the field and pulling down 6.7 rebounds.

Despite the Alabama St. Hornets spoiling the Tigers’ conference opener, Roberts let loose for 33 points, shot 12 of 18 from the floor and made all seven free throws in a 73-62 home loss.

That loss was followed by the Tigers’ first win of the season in a match up against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in which Roberts lifted the Tigers by scoring 21 points, including making 10 of 11 free throws in a tightly contested 60-55 victory.

Grambling grimly concluded their week by being out played 72-59 by their in-state archrivals, Southern Jaguars. Roberts again gave his everything for his team, scoring 29 points and pulling down 7 rebounds.

Roberts is a versatile guard with 6-foot-5-inch frame. He’s agile and to say he handles and shoot the ball well is an understatement, but those tangibles aren’t the only thing that makes stopping him from scoring problematic for opposing defenders. The experience he gained from competing in the well-respected, tough and competitive Big East conference is what he feels gives him an advantage in the SWAC conference.

“Don’t get me wrong the SWAC has some great players who work hard,” said Roberts. “I just think the Big East is a tougher conference in general. I played as a true freshman and I’ve learned little knick and knacks that gives me a slight edge.”

Out of Harrisburg High located in Pennsylvania, Roberts was highly recruited.

Originally he committed to play for the “U” at the University of Miami but decommitted and decided to take his talents to St. John and play for Norm Roberts, whose currently an assistant coach at Florida.

As a freshman, Roberts saw action in 33 of 34 games. He started out as a role player coming off the bench, but thanks to injuries he began to see more minutes. Seemingly, Roberts’ career began to incline and he wasn’t far from reaching his dreams of playing in the NBA.

He went from getting minimal playing time to becoming a key contributor to eventually starting. It wasn’t until St. John decided to cut its ties with former head coach Norm Roberts when Quincy’s path to the pros was skewed.

The Red Storm brought in former ESPN colleague and UCLA coach, Steve Lavin to change the direction of the program and that is when Roberts’ role diminished. Roberts told Daniel Martin of Jonny Jungle, “Once [Roberts] got fired, I wanted to stay. I was just starting to become a part of [the program]… It wasn’t working out well on the court. I feel like they were making it hard on me. Playing-wise I felt like I should have been playing more.”

After Norm Roberts departed, Quincy was medically redshirted his sophomore year, but mid-way through the season he filed papers to transfer to a school where his game would be appreciated.

Once the word was out that Roberts was looking for a new home, he was pursued by numerous schools such as Marshall, Temple, Duquesne, Delaware and Arizona State. He rejected them all because he always wanted to attend a HBCU, even after high school.

Roberts needed a place to play comfortably and Grambling was the right place for him. Not only was it a HBCU, but also the Tigers lacked an offensive threat such as Roberts.

“Grambling is the most historic school in the Black community,” said Roberts. “It’s legendary and I want to leave a legacy.”

“Coach Washington didn’t know about me until I called him and told him I wanted to come play for him. I hadn’t even visited the school yet, but once he heard my history about me playing in the Big East I was welcomed.”

Dec. 22,2012 in when Roberts returned to the hardwood. The Tigers traveled to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum to take on the TCU Horned Frogs and although Grambling dropped it’s ninth straight game in an 83-53 losing effort, Roberts was impressive. In his debut, he totaled a double double scoring 28 points and pulling down 10 boards.

“It felt lovely,” said Roberts “It was a long time coming, but I really put the work in during my absence.  I used the time to observe and become a better student of the game.”

After about a year hiatus, his numbers verify that he hadn’t missed a beat on the court since being activated. He’s led the Tigers in scoring in every game and has always scored at least 19. He had two games where he scored 30+ points and most importantly, he has led the Tigers to two conference wins that has given the Tigers’ basketball program hope and excitement.

“After seeing Roberts play I feel like he brings much leadership to the team as well as being a dominant scorer,” said Dalfred Jones, a senior English and communication major.

The SWAC Sends Five HBCUs to the 2012 Urban Invitational

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Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros & the 2012 Urban Invitational (Style Magazine)

The Urban Invitational, the annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to give Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs national exposure, is relocating to Houston, Texas and will feature five HBCUs – the most-ever in the tournament’s five-year history.

The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be the primary site of the tournament on Friday, February 17th and Sunday, February 19th, while the games on Saturday, February 18th will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Two of those contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas) and Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) will all participate in the Urban Invitational along with NCAA Division-I school University of California, Irvine.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year’s Urban Invitational,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball.

“Through this event, Major League Baseball strives to bring much needed exposure to these individual institutions and attention to collegiate baseball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Additionally, we are very pleased to give local high school students the opportunity to learn more about higher education directly from the more than 20 colleges and universities at the college fair. This will be a great experience for all involved, especially these young men playing in a beautiful ballpark such as Minute Maid Park.”

Article referenced from MLB.com

Pride of the Spartans: Norfolk State Rides a Wave of Success in the MEAC

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The 2011-2012 Norfolk State Spartans are undefeated (6-0) in the MEAC. (NSU Spartans)

The Norfolk State University Men’s Basketball Team is running away with the MEAC.

The Spartans are led by their 6-10 center Senior Kyle O’Quinn, who has been averaging a double double for almost 2 straight seasons.This year, O’Quinn is fourth in the MEAC in scoring (15.5) and first in rebounding (10.4) and third in field goal percentage (57%). He set a new single-season school record with 110 blocked shots and now has a school record 186 in his career. He also established a new school Division I-era single-season record with 355 total rebounds and 11.1-rebound average.  O’Quinn has started his Senior year right where he left off…on top of the division.

The Spartans head coach Anthony Evans is entering in his fifth year, and he has directed NSU to the best four-year stretch in the school’s Division I history. In 2010-11, the Spartans advanced to the MEAC Tournament semifinals for the third time in four seasons while keeping the school’s streak of 13 consecutive seasons with a MEAC record of .500 or better alive.
This season, Evans has his team with a record of 14-5. More impressively, they are 6-0 in the MEAC conference and 7-1 at home. He has coached his team to a seven game win streak, the Spartans’ longest since the ’94-95 season when the Spartans won 14 straight. For right now, they are halfway there to making Spartan again.
The Spartans also have gotten exceptional guard play from Senior Chris McEachin and Sophomore Pendarvis Williams. They are both averaging almost 13 points per game. McEachin is a transfer from Radford University and he helped the Highlanders win the Big South Conference championship and reach the NCAA Tournament for the 2008-2009 season. Williams, a MEAC All-Rookie Team selection was also named the team’s Most Outstanding Freshman. For a guard to shooting 50% from the field means good things are going to happen for this offense.
In the Spartans’ last victory against Coppin State, O’Quinn and Williams had career nights. Williams scored a career high in points with 25, going 6 for 8 behind the 3 point line. O’Quinn registered his twelfth double double of the year finishing the game with 24 points and 19 rebounds.
Can the NSU Spartans continue their reign in the MEAC? They continue play on January 21st by finishing their three-game MEAC road swing with a 6 p.m. matchup at rival Hampton.

Robert Jennings Named New Lincoln University President

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Robert Jennings (Chris Barber)

On Jan. 2, Robert Jennings took the reins at Lincoln University in what he called a very smooth transition from his predecessor, Ivory Nelson. With his appointment, Jennings becomes the 13th president of the historically black university just outside of Oxford.

Jennings, 61, who was born and raised in Atlanta, was chosen in November by the Board of Trustees’ search committee from among 55 applicants and three finalists.

He said he had never been to Lincoln before he applied for the position, but when the seat was advertised colleagues urged him to send in his resume because he seemed suited for the job. After he researched the school and talked to people, he was convinced it was a “great school” and he pursued the position.

Seeing Lincoln for the first time, he was struck by all the construction and renovation going on and was glad it was Nelson, not himself, who had completed all the legwork for getting the work under way.

“When this is said and done, it’s going to be a great campus. … Thank God he set the wheels in motion and got us through the drawing board,” he said.

Jennings said he fully embraces Nelson’s vision of a modern, pedestrian campus, inasmuch as it helps with student safety and the beauty of the area. He added that three or four buildings need to be renovated, and he would like to see the transformation of a campus building into a center where alumni can stay overnight.

Jennings comes to Lincoln University from his most recent position as an administrator for Gems Inc. in Union City, Ga., a learning academy serving children 6 to 12 years old and personal care for adults and seniors with special needs.

In the course of his career, he has also been president of Alabama A&M University, vice president of Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University and vice chancellor for development at North Carolina A&T State University.

He also worked for presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reporting to Congress on issues of age, sex and race discrimination.

Jennings sees Lincoln University as a school with a modern physical plant, a strong faculty and loyal support employees. His is especially fond of the department of mass communications and has plans to talk with his students and faculty about expanding the program.

More information can be found at Southern Chester Counties Weeklies.

Virginia Union Receives a Major Gift to Finance a New Campus Center

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Virginia Union University- Pickford Hall (US News)

Virginia Union University, the historically Black educational institution in Richmond, received a $2 million gift from Robert J. Brown, founder, chair, and CEO of B&C Associates, a consulting, research, and pubic relations firm based in High Point, North Carolina. Brown attended Virginia Union for one year but was forced to leave for family reasons. The $2 million gift is the largest donation, excluding bequests, from a single donor in the university’s history.

The money will be used to fund the construction of the Robert J. Brown Living and Learning Center on the VUU campus. The building will include a 240-bed residence hall and a conference center with a capacity for 450-500 people.

How the SOPA Bill Affects You

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What is SOPA? SOPA is an acronym for the Stop Online Piracy Act. It’s a proposed bill that aims to crack down on copyright infringement by restricting access to sites that host or facilitate the trading of pirated content.

SOPA’s main targets are “rogue” overseas sites like torrent hub The Pirate Bay, which are a trove for illegal downloads. Go to the The Pirate Bay, type in any current hit movie or TV show like “Glee,” and you’ll see links to download full seasons and recent episodes for free.

Content creators have battled against piracy for years — remember Napster? — but it’s hard for U.S. companies to take action against foreign sites. The Pirate Bay’s servers are physically located in Sweden. So SOPA’s goal is to cut off pirate sites’ oxygen by requiring U.S. search engines, advertising networks and other providers to withhold their services.

That means sites like Google wouldn’t show flagged sites in their search results, and payment processors like eBay’s PayPal couldn’t transmit funds to them.

Both sides say they agree that protecting content is a worthy goal. But opponents say that the way SOPA is written effectively promotes censorship and is rife with the potential for unintended consequences.

Silicon Valley woke up and took notice of the implications when SOPA was introduced in the House of Representatives in October. But its very similar counterpart, PIPA (the Protect IP Act), flew under the radar and was approved by a Senate committee in May. PIPA is now pending before the full Senate and scheduled for a vote on January 24, though some senators are pushing for a delay.

Isn’t copyright infringement already illegal? Yes. The 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act lays out enforcement measures.

Let’s say a YouTube user uploads a copyrighted song. Under the current law, that song’s copyright holders could send a “takedown notice” to YouTube. YouTube is protected against liability as long as it removes the content within a reasonable timeframe.

When it gets a DMCA warning, YouTube has to notify the user who uploaded the content. That user has the right to file a counter-motion demonstrating that the content doesn’t infringe on any copyrights. If the two sides keep disagreeing, the issue can go to court.

The problem with DMCA, critics say, is that it’s useless against overseas sites.

SOPA tackles that by moving up the chain. If you can’t force overseas sites to take down copyrighted work, you can at least stop U.S. companies from providing their services to those sites. You can also make it harder for U.S. Internet users to find and access the sites.

But SOPA goes further than DMCA and potentially puts site operators — even those based in the U.S. — on the hook for content that their users upload. The proposed bill’s text says that a site could be deemed a SOPA scofflaw if it “facilitates” copyright infringement.

That very broad language has tech companies spooked.

Sites like YouTube, which publishes millions of user-uploaded videos each week, are worried that they would be forced to more closely police that content to avoid running afoul of the new rules.

“YouTube would just go dark immediately,” Google public policy director Bob Boorstin said at a conference last month. “It couldn’t function.”

For further reading, visit CNNMoney.

Shaw University Names Robert Massey Head Football Coach

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Robert Massey has been selected as the new Head Coach for the Shaw University football team. (The Herald Sun)

RALEIGH, NC – Shaw University named defensive coordinator Robert Massey its new head football coach.

“Coach Massey has proven himself as a coach and a loyal member of the Shaw family,” said Shaw president Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy.  “This promotion is well earned and a sign that our strong tradition of football at Shaw continues.”

“This is a dream job for me,” said Massey.  “I’m devoted to the Shaw program and am proud that Shaw had the faith in me to continue what we’ve started here. There is a tradition of not just winning, but of winning championships, and that’s something I’m dedicated to continuing.”

Massey has served on the Shaw coaching staff for five years, the last two as defensive coordinator.  In his first year as defensive coordinator, the Bears won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship, in large part because of  Massey’s “bend don’t break” defense.

Prior to coming to Shaw, Massey served as the interim head football coach at Livingstone College and as assistant coach, receivers coach and defensive back coach for his alma mater, North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During his collegiate career at NCCU, Massey won several honors, including Black Collegiate All American, All CIAA 1st team and All CIAA Defensive Back.

He began his coaching career with the New York Giants as an assistant defensive back coach before moving to Hillside High School in Durham, N.C. where he served as both assistant and head football coach.

Before coaching, Massey completed l ten years as a successful defensive back in the National Football League (NFL).  He was drafted in 1989 in the second round (46th pick overall) by the New Orleans Saints.   That season he was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was the Saints’ Rookie of the Year.

He then moved to the Phoenix Cardinals, where he was named to the 1992 NFC  Pro Bowl Team.  He also played for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants, where he completed his NFL career. He then assumed the position of assistant defensive back coach with the Giants.

Massey takes the helm from Darrell Asberry, who accepted the head coaching position at Division I Texas Southern.  The Bears won the 2010 CIAA Championship, but finished last season with a 3-7 record.

The Bears open play in 2012 with a trip to Charleston, W.Va., to take on the University of Charleston on August 30.

For more information on Shaw athletics, visit www.shawbears.com.

Courtesy of the CIAA

Thrift Store Treasures: Finding Quality in the Most Unlikely Places

Posted by Shy-Asia Andrews
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Thrift stores are an underrated source for the fashion community to find quality items at fair prices. (Inside Social)

“Thrifting” is the act of shopping at a thrift store or second-hand shop for great styles at rock-bottom prices. The art of “thrifting” is one that not many people possess, especially me! I find that “thrifting” takes patience and a good chunk of your day. However, if you do find that you are fond of thrifting, here are a few tips on how to become a seasoned pro.

  • Go regularly, and go on off-hours.The first helps you acquire more goodies, the second is for your sanity. If you don’t go on a regular basis, you’re just asking to miss all the good variety of clothes, shoes and accessories. You can take this a step further and inquire about “restocking” day, then mark that day on your calendar and make sure you go!
  • Make a list of what you need, and refer back to it to avoid stocking up on things you don’t need. Also, racks of $3 clothes are not an excuse to pile your closet with heaps of poor-quality items.
  • Shop off-season. You’ll find the best deals and have a better selection to pick through.
  • Approach things with an open mind. If you go shopping without with an agenda in mind- A barely worn vintage Chanel jacket that fits well and is under $10- you’re probably going to be disappointed. Remember that things can be shortened, re-sized, altered entirely by you, a crafty friend, or even a tailor. If you choose to go to a tailor and factor in the tailor’s fees, it’s still cheaper (and cooler) than buying something brand new and mass-produced.
  • Try to find shops off the beaten path. Shops in areas with a high population of stylish college students will be a) picked of all the good selections, and b) pricey, look for the ones near ritzy 55+ communities. GO WILD!

President Obama Steps In & Puts a Stop to SOPA Bill

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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The growing anti-SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) support that has swept through the gaming and Internet community found a very big ally today. With websites like Reddit and Wikipedia and gaming organizations like Major League Gaming prepared for a blackout on January 18th – the same day that the House Judiciary Committee hearing on HR 3261 was scheduled in Washington, DC – President Barack Obama has stepped in and said he would not support the bill.

SOPA has been delayed, for now. The House has agreed to revisit the issue next month, but they now know the White House will veto any bill that’s not more narrowly focused.

President Barack Obama has announced that he opposes the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) bill. (Danny Krikorian)

Much to the chagrin of Hollywood, the Entertainment Software Association (which has been a backer of the bill from early on), and Internet domain company GoDaddy.com (which lost many accounts as a result of its support for the bill); SOPA has been shelved. The Motion Picture Association of America, one of the bill’s largest sponsors, is expected to regroup.

California congressman Darrell Issa, who has been opposed to the bill from the beginning, praised the Internet action that has swept like a virus across the Web the past week.

Both SOPA and Protect IP attempt to combat online piracy by preventing American search engines like Google and Yahoo from directing users to sites distributing stolen content. Both bills also would enable people and companies to sue if their copyright was infringed. Obama has come out against both bills, which killed SOPA and puts pressure on senators come January 24th. The full White House response can be read here.

Article referenced from Forbes.com

Hampton Alum & Former NAACP President Ed Tomlin Dies at 63

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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Former NAACP President and Hampton University alum Ed Tomlin dies at 63.

Ed Tomlin, a longtime civil rights activist and former president of the Marion County NAACP, died suddenly on Monday. He was 63.

Tomlin, a native of Ocala, suffered an apparent heart attack after he returned home from a day of fishing, according to his family. He was the father of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin took the reins of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2003 and helped shepherd the organization back to stability after several years of leadership changes and a dwindling membership.

“He added a lot to the NAACP. He was a leader and had the ability to draw people to him. He worked well with a broad category of people across race lines. He was a very thoughtful person and had a great knowledge of the community history and civil rights history,” said Whitfield Jenkins, another local NAACP past president, who worked with Tomlin.

Tomlin played football at the former Howard High School in Ocala, where he graduated in 1964. He attended Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in Hampton, Va., and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1968. That year, he played eight games with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

For more information on Ed Tomlin, visit Ocala.com.

Tuskegee’s Eichelberger & Stillman’s McKinnis Among Those Honored in SIAC Basketball Honors

Posted by Michael Livingston II
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ATLANTA—Tuskegee University senior Joshua Eichelberger has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week while Miles College senior Sammeika Thomas and Stillman College senior Jamila McKinnis have been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week. Clark Atlanta University sophomore Jermille Fluker 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.

Eichelberger, a native of Detroit, MI, averaged 20.5 points and 12 rebounds in two games to earn his second consecutive player of the week honor in as many weeks. Defensively, the 6-5, 195-pound forward averaged 1.5 steals and one block for the week along with one assist per game, helping the Golden Tigers defeat in-state conference rival Miles, 82-74, with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance. Averaging 16.8 points and 9.6 rebounds on the season, Eichelberger is currently the fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder in the SIAC, including a conference-leading 3.7 offensive rebounds per game.

Thomas, a native of Birmingham, AL, earns her third player of the week this season after averaging 12 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two games. The 6-1 forward, who was named SIAC Player of the Year after last season, also averaged three steals and two blocks while helping lead the Lady Bears to a 2-0 record for the week, including wins over Clark Atlanta and Tuskegee in conference play. Through Sunday, Thomas is the only women’s player in the SIAC averaging a double-double with 13.5 points and a conference-leading 10.1 rebounds per contest.

McKinnis, a native of Mobile, AL, followed up last week’s player of the week performance with another big week, averaging 16.5 points and 11 rebounds in two games. The 5-10 senior also averaged an impressive 4.5 blocks for the week along with 1.5 assists and one steal per game, helping the Lady Tigers to a 2-0 record for the week with victories over Tuskegee and LeMoyne-Owen. McKinnis is currently averaging 3.4 blocks per game this season which currently ranks second in Division II.

Fluker, a guard from Gulfport, MS, averaged 11 points and 3.6 rebounds in three games. The 6-1 transfer from Dillard University also averaged 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals for the Panthers, who finished with a 2-1 record for the week with wins over Lane and Kentucky State.

English, a forward from Atmore, AL, nearly averaged a double-double for the week, averaging 12 points and nine rebounds in two games including a 15-point and 10-rebound performance against Clark Atlanta. English also averaged 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks for the Lady Bears, who finished with a 2-0 record for the week.

 

Ben Baxter
Assistant Commissioner for Communications & New Media
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)