2011 MEAC Volleyball Tournament (MEAC Public Relations)
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Lady Hawks and Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers earned the top seeds in the northern and southern divisions of the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship tournament.The Lady Hawks finished the season with an unblemished 12-0 mark in conference play en route to their fifth consecutive MEAC northern divisional title. UMES recorded over 20 victories for the fifth straight year and concluded the regular season on a 15 match win streak.
Morgan State secured the second seed in the north with an 8-4 conference record followed by Hampton (7-5). Howard won the tiebreaker over Norfolk State (5-7) to earn the fourth and final spot in the northern division.
Florida A&M also captured its fifth straight southern divisional crown with a 9-1 mark in conference play. The Lady Rattlers have won nine of the last 10 MEAC volleyball titles and 13 overall.
The defending MEAC champion South Carolina State Bulldogs (8-2) captured the second seed in the southern division. Bethune-Cookman (6-4) earned the third seed and North Carolina Central (5-5) rounded out the fourth and final seed.
Only the top four teams in each division are eligible to compete in the single match elimination tournament and vie for the championship title. Seedings are determined by overall conference records. Norfolk State (5-7), Delaware State (4-8), Coppin State (1-11), North Carolina A&T (2-7) and Savannah State (0-9) have been eliminated from tournament play based on their MEAC record.
The 2011 MEAC Volleyball Championship tournament begins on Friday, November 18 at 10 a.m. at the Physical Education Complex on the campus of Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md. For up-to-date schedule information, visit www.MEACsports.com.
The volleyball championship tournament will conclude on Sunday, November 20 beginning at noon. The championship finale will air live online for free via www.MEACSports.com.
Admission for the championship tournament is $7 and $15 for a three-day pass. Admission is free for students with a valid ID and children under the age of 12.
For more information on MEAC Volleyball or other sponsored sports, visit www.MEACSports.com.
HAMPTON, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) anticipates the largest Tournament in the history of the iconic Conference. The planning committee prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary milestone during the week-long 2012 Tournament on February 27 – March 3 in Charlotte, NC.
“The CIAA’s Board of Directors, staff, member institutions, alumni and fans are proud to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration as the CIAA turns 100 years old,” says Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner. “The rich legacy and heritage established by the CIAA has provided over 100 years of education and athletic opportunities to African-Americans who did not have the options. The lives touched by the CIAA are countless, and to experience its evolution into the third largest basketball tournament in the NCAA and its impact on millions of people is priceless. It is a remarkable feat to reach a 100 year milestone within any organization, and for the CIAA, the world will witness the celebration of this achievement in February.”
Conceived on February 4, 1912, the CIAA has grown into a cultural phenomenon and arguably one of the most influential mechanisms in all of Black America and giving birth to one of the country’s greatest, most financially successful event in all of black college sports. The first CIAA Tournament was created in 1946 on a $500 budget. Over the past 13 years alone, the CIAA Tournament has generated over $269 million in economic impact for the state of North Carolina and over $17.1 million in overall scholarship dollars for CIAA member institutions.
The CIAA is a trailblazer and often referred to as “The Conference of Firsts”. A few of those firsts include the first football game between two African-American-colleges in 1892 (Livingstone College and Johnson C. Smith University – known then as Biddle University); the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on Entertainment Sports Programming Network (ESPN); was featured in the ESPN film, Black Magic, directed by Dan Klores, which was the first documentary to set a network record on its first night averaging a 1.2 million household and 1.55 million viewers; and in 2009 became the first African-American athletic conference to vote a non-HBCU institution, Chowan University, as a full-member, which supported the CIAA’s commitment to building a diverse and competitive conference.
“Congratulations to the CIAA on 100 years of supporting educational excellence and student athletics,” said Sherman McCoy, Nationwide Insurance director of operations, North Carolina region. “We’re proud of our partnership with the CIAA and honor the great tradition that makes the CIAA one of the finest leagues in the country.”
The CIAA’s focus on education, a by-product of its annual Tournament, is an important initiative that has been a part of the fabric of the Conference from its formation. The CIAA’s partnerships with its corporate sponsors have led to hundreds of jobs and internship opportunities and millions of scholarship dollars for its students. Sponsors donate annually to the CIAA General Scholarship Fund (GSF) and actively participate in the annual CIAA Career Expo. The CIAA’s Education Day introduces Middle and High School students to the CIAA educational experience through its member institutions by providing information and on-site admissions for high school seniors. Over the past six years, the CIAA has drawn over 10,000 students to Education Day, many of which were accepted to CIAA member institutions. In an effort to continue to support the CIAA’s mission to provide educational opportunities for students to attend any CIAA school, we are asking our alumni and fans to make a donation to the CIAA GSF by visiting www.ciaatournament.org/donate.
“Food Lion is a proud sponsor of the CIAA and excited about celebrating 100 years of commitment to higher education though sports,” said Eric Watson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Delhaize America. “We are honored to serve as the official corporate sponsor of the CIAA Women’s Tournament, and provide our associates, customers, and the communities we serve the opportunity to engage in this centennial celebration. Through volunteering and contributing toward scholarships for deserving students at the CIAA schools, we feel giving back is consistent with our corporate values and our commitment to the communities we serve.”
The CIAA is home to legendary coaches and extraordinary athletes who have helped the Conference receive proper recognition and respect in the world of college sports. CIAA legends and NBA Hall of Famers include John McLendon – the Father of Black Basketball, Clarence ‘Big House’ Gaines – the first African-American coach to win a NCAA Championship, Earl ‘The Pearl’ Monroe, Earl Lloyd – the first African-American to play in the NBA and Sam Jones. Other CIAA greats include Pee Wee Kirkland, Rick Mahorn, Fred ‘Curly’ Neal of the Harlem Globetrotters, Alvin ‘Al’ Attles, Jr., Boddy Dandrige, Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace, Ronald Murray, Darrell Armstrong and Celeste Trahan.
Fans can enjoy a multitude of prizes and free trips in honor of the centennial celebration. The CIAA 100th Anniversary Sweepstakes has a grand prize trip for up to six people to any Wyndham Resort in the word; airfare not included. Fans can enter the sweepstakes through the CIAA Tournament’s Facebook page. Smaller prizes will be given away weekly by randomly selecting fans from our sweepstakes database. Prizes include official event and game tickets, gift cards and tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame courtesy of Food Lion, a Toyota prize pack and official CIAA 100th anniversary premium items.
The CIAA is slated to launch its first-ever mobile application in November, which is available on iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android phones and tablets. Fans can simply visit Apple’s App Store, the Android Market or Blackberry App World and search for ‘CIAA’ to download the mobile application to their mobile device or tablet. Fans that download the application are eligible to enter for a free trip for two people to Saint Lucia, which includes airfare and a free breakfast at the Garden Bay Hotel/Beach Resort. The CIAA mobile application was created to conveniently provide fans with instant access to key CIAA event information, updates and news directly to their mobile device or tablet.
“The CIAA is excited with the momentum we have generated leading into the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2012. We have the support of our loyal fans, member institutions and sponsors. As a team, we’re constantly enhancing the Tournament and affiliated activities to ensure the ‘CIAA Experience’ is as strong as ever,” stated Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner.
Tournament attendees can anticipate an exciting week of events, activities and star-studded appearances during the 100th anniversary celebration. Returning event favorites include the Toyota Fan Experience at the Charlotte Convention Center and McDonald’s Super Saturday at the Time Warner Cable Arena; both FREE of charge.
At the Toyota Fan Experience, fans will have an opportunity to check out the special CIAA 100th anniversary display that will showcase historical memorabilia and offer interactive activities for fans to participate. The CIAA is also developing two customized signature banners for Tournament attendees to sign throughout the week. One signature banner will be located at the Time Warner Cable Arena and the other will be located at the Toyota Fan Experience. Following the Tournament, the CIAA will donate one of the banners to the Harvey B. Gantt Center as a reminder of the great partnership between the city of Charlotte and the CIAA, as well as, to signal the historical mark this partnership has played in the growth and recognition of the CIAA. The second banner will be permanently displayed at the CIAA office in Hampton, Va.
Other returning official CIAA events that require purchasing a ticket includes the McDonald’s Step Show Throwdown at the Grady Cole Center, the CIAA Coaches’ Social featuring The Manhattans and the 100th Anniversary Celebration After Party featuring The O’Jays, which will both take place in the new Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center.
New additions to the CIAA official event line-up includes the CIAA & V101.9 Greek Day Party at Coyote Joe’s, the CIAA Adult Skate Party at Starlight Skating Rink, the CIAA High School Step Show Step-Off at the Grady Cole Center, the CIAA Champions Day on Sunday, March 4 at the Toyota Fan Experience in the Charlotte Convention Center and much more to come.
For more information about how to purchase tickets and a complete list of official events, fans can visit www.ciaatournament.org.
Chowan's Men basketball team at the 9/11 Memorial Site (www.gocuhawks.com)
MURFREESBORO, NC – Play with a purpose.
Those words are echoed by coaches across the country on a daily basis, in attempts to get the most out of a student-athlete’s performance.
On a recent road trip, the Chowan University Men’s Basketball team received a powerful message on what those four words really mean.
The team competed in the University of Pitt-Johnstown Tournament this past weekend in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. On Friday, November 11th, Veteran’s Day, the University unveiled a memorial in the heart of its campus. The “Heroes Memorial” pays tribute to those who died on September 11th, 2001, as well as the members of the United States Armed Forces who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Before their game against Wheeling Jesuit University on Saturday the 12th, Chowan Head Coach Dan DeRose took the team to the memorial to share exactly what playing with a purpose means. “I wanted them to get a sense of history and the impact of what’s going on in the world. I think at times we forget what happened on 9/11 and what is still going on in the world today,” he said.
“What they (team members) don’t realize is a lot of the time is that all these people died to continue your opportunity to live and play basketball,” added DeRose. “You need to always keep them in the back of your mind. When you play, play for something.”
Play with a purpose. That message goes beyond basketball, beyond all sports. Said DeRose, “You should have a purpose every day in life, because you just don’t know what is going to happen. We have what we have today because brave men and women are over there fighting for us.”
Dedication for the monument was held on Veteran’s Day, and was attended by more than 200 community members, the school’s president, and several members of the military.
Currently, the Heroes Memorial contains 9,208 names. 1,729 names represent the men and women killed in Afghanistan in the years following the 9/11 attacks, and 4,456 names are those who have been killed in Iraq, through August 22nd, 2011. Over 3,000 names represent those killed on 9/11, at the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93.
The centerpiece of the entire memorial is a 3,500 pound steel beam recovered from of one of the World Trade Center towers. “One of the things I told the guys to try to give them a sense of the devastation on that day was to look at this steel beam and how strong it is,” said DeRose. “But on that day, it crumbled and was bent just like that. That’s the type of destruction that thousands of people had to deal with.”
“It was very emotional for me,” said sophomore Antonio Reddic. “These men and women are why we are able to have the future we hope to have. I respect them and all of their families that they left behind. If it wasn’t for them, who knows where we would be today. I am really happy we went.”
Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the small town where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed, is only about 25 miles away from the Pitt-Johnstown campus. “Being nearby the place where the plane crashed brought back memories of how those heroes sacrificed their own lives for their country, and that made me feel very blessed,” added Reddic.
For senior Lee Branscome, the trip helped put playing basketball into perspective. “Coach D just wanted us to see that there are people fighting to give us the opportunity to do what we love to do, play college basketball. We play because they are out there protecting our freedom. That’s the lesson Coach D shared with us.”
That was the lesson. To put basketball into perspective. To play with a purpose.
Girls Got Issues: A Woman’s Guide to Self-discovery and Healing is available now. Girls Got Issues: A Woman’s Guide to Self-Discovery and Healing addresses the various problems that women carry with them from childhood in to adulthood. Serving as a “self-awareness” book, Girls Got Issues assists women in defining the issues they face, why the issues exist, and how to move beyond them. Such goals are accomplished through self-assessment quizzes and other assignments that allow women to begin to take a true inventory of where they are in their lives and how they can become more fulfilled.
Why do you know about women having issues
“I have conducted workshops geared towards women in both mental health settings as well as community-based programs. In these trainings, I began to notice that we, as women, were often “stuck” dealing with life experiences from girlhood. I became keenly aware of the need to shed light on these problems and begin to assist women in moving beyond our “issues” towards emotional health.”
Why/When/How did you start writing?
“I started writing when I found that women would come up to me after lectures or casual conversations and tell me that they wish their sister/friend/female cousin/co-worker was a part of the discussion so they could pass on my thoughts. I decided that, the best way to reach women was to provide them with an actual tool to aid in examining our problems.”
“Regarding my start in writing, I have always been a writer. I started out writing poems and plays that dealt with women’s issues. I continue to enjoy both of those but have also expanded in to the self-help genre.”
What is your typical day like?
“I am rearing two future “women” with my husband, so my day usually begins with them. I work full-time as a psychologist and mental health consultant. At the end of the day and with the assistance of Starbucks coffee, I write.”
How many books have you written and where do you get your ideas?
“This is my first solo project and I am grateful for the chance to complete it. I have co-authored an autobiography entitled My Journey to Damascus by Rev. Bruce Monford as well as co-authoring a book chapter on mental health and immigrant families. I have also contributed articles to newspapers and magazines geared towards the African-American community and the Black Church.”
How do you research your books?
“Between my experience in working in the mental health field, being on the board of NAMI-Greater Cleveland, and my advocacy work, I have found that I am privy to an abundance of information.”
How long did it take you to write this book?
“The idea brewed for over two years. When I finally sat down and decided to write, it took approximately 8 months.”
Dr. Tyffani Monford Dent is a licensed psychologist who, in her work with girls and young women, came to recognize the multitude of “issues” experienced by them. In Girls Got Issues, she delves into topics such as sexual abuse, toxic relationships, and stress, with the goal of helping women begin to heal. Dr. Dent is a graduate of Wilberforce University and Wright State University. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Girls Got Issues: A Woman’s Guide to Self-discovery and Healing is her first book.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus and Grammy award-winning rapper Common will be a guest lecturer on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium as part of the 2011-2012 Lyceum Series.
Tickets will be available through the FAMU Ticket Office location in the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium and ticketmaster.com for $20, $10 and $5, depending on the location of the seats. Tickets that were purchased previously for Common’s lecture will be valid for this event. The lecture was originally planned for September 28.
Known as the King of Conscious Hip Hop, Common will discuss his book titled One Day It’ll All Make Sense, which explores his upbringing and family relationships.
Common is considered one of music’s most poetic and respected lyricists. His introspective lyrics have pushed boundaries with their biting social commentary.
In 2007, he launched the Common Ground Foundation, which is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States. Common also offers a younger generation a better understanding of self-respect and love, utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop in the children’s books he has written. The first children’s book, titled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit and human nature. His follow-up book, I Like You But I Love Me, was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions), was released in 2008.
In January 2007, the rapper crossed over into movies and made his acting debut in the movie Smokin’ Aces. Subsequently, he starred opposite Queen Latifah in Just Wright, and co-starred in movies, American Gangster, Street Kings, Wanted and others.
Whether inspiring audiences through his music, his books, or his foundation, Common continues to break new ground, and remains one of hip hop’s most innovative and positive voices.
The next Lyceum performances include the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble scheduled for January 27, 2012 and the Moscow Festival Ballet on March 1, 2012.
“The Lyceum Series is an essential part of Florida A&M University,” said FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Hughes Harris, who chairs the Lyceum Committee. “It is the university’s way to teach the students beyond the classroom and expose them to the arts and culture. The Lyceum committee is looking forward to sharing these experiences with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Tallahassee community.”
The FAMU Lyceum Series has been a part of the FAMU tradition since the university’s early beginnings. Throughout the history of the series, FAMU has enriched campus life and shared with the community the artists, performers and lecturers of the day.
For more information about this year’s Lyceum Series, contact the FAMU Office of Communications at (850) 599-3413.
Bennett College students march to the polls on election day.
This past Tuesday’s local elections weren’t considered major on the national media circuit, but for Bennett College students, the opportunity to vote is never taken lightly. Each election cycle, the Student Government Association sponsors the March to the Polls ACES event. This past Tuesday was no exception. The SGA rallied up the voting troops at 11 a.m. and proceeded to march from the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel to the nearest polling place, singing the alma mater and other favorite Bennett cheers throughout.
SGA called this event “The Final Round” because it was the third time that students marched to vote this election season. Senior Lydia Blanco, a Journalism and Media Studies major serves as the SGA’s Miss Royal Blue and White. She is responsible for organizing all ACES events, so she was instrumental in organizing “The Final Round.”
“This was the most interactive ACES we had this semester in an effort to get our sisters to get out and vote and be active in the Greensboro community,” she explains. “We marched to the polls to show that Bennett Belles are voting Belles. We didn’t sleep this election season. We were wide awake and ready to vote.”
Students were as excited as SGA about casting their votes for the next public officials in Greensboro. Sabrina Noel-Edgar, a sophomore Journalism and Media Studies major, voted. She thought it was important for other Bennett students to vote as well. “If you don’t vote, your voice will not get heard. Voting is the best thing to do because that is how you can get your voices heard by the people who will be representing you.”
Bennett has prided itself on having a large voter turnout in previous elections. Rachel Pridgen, the Director of Student Activities has been working with the SGA to keep these numbers high. The SGA advisor says, “SGA always does March to the Polls because it’s important for every student to be involved in her community. From new student orientation, I’ve been registering freshwomen voters so they will know the importance of voting each election season.”
Activism is important to the Bennett College community. According to the 2010 – 2011 Bennett College Fact Book, 95 percent of the college’s population is registered to vote. This high percentage is the reason that Alma Adams, Ph.D., a North Carolina representative and Art History professor at Bennett started the phrase “Bennett Belles are Voting Belles.”
Though students have been marching to the polls for decades, Pridgen doesn’t think students should take the right to vote for granted. “A lot of people have worked hard so students can have this right to vote,” she says. “We can’t take this right for granted. Students have to get out and vote or what they think won’t matter in the long run.
Columbus, GA – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) have announced that Johnson C. Smith University and Miles College have been selected to participate in the 13th Pioneer Bowl. The game will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA at 1:00pm (EST).
The Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls, led by Head Coach Steve Aycock, finished third in the CIAA Southern Division with a 5-5 overall record, 4-3 in conference play.
The Miles College Golden Bears, led by Head Coach Reginald Ruffin, finished first in the SIAC West Division with a 5-2 record in conference play and won their first SIAC Championship by defeating Albany State University to finish with a 7-4 overall record.
Miles will be making their first appearance in the Pioneer Bowl while Johnson C. Smith will be making their second appearance with their last coming in 2006.
Started in 1997, the Pioneer Bowl is an NCAA sanctioned bowl game involving the SIAC and the CIAA. It is the only sanctioned bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences.
2010 Pioneer Bowl Results – Saint Augustine’s 20 Fort Valley State 9 (12/4/10)
About the SIAC
Founded in 1913, the SIAC is composed of thirteen historically black colleges and universities (Albany State, Benedict, Claflin, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Kentucky State, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Miles, Morehouse, Paine, Stillman, and Tuskegee) located within a five state footprint Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee). For conference information visit, www.TheSIAC.com.
About the CIAA
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), founded in 1912, is the nation’s first historically black college and university athletic conference. It is currently comprised of twelve colleges and universities located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. For conference information please visit, www.TheCIAA.com.
Disgraced former Penn State defensive coordinator and alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky, who was arrested on Nov.5 for charges of sexually harassing eight boys over a 15-year period, was freed from prison by District Judge Leslie Dutchcoton on a $100,000 unsecured bail on Nov.14.
Dutchcoton, who reportedly volunteered and donated between $500-1000 to Sandusky’s Second Mile charity, granted his bail after being charged with 40 counts of perjury and other related offenses. She released him under the circumstances that if he fails to report to court then he would have to pay $100,000.
She also ordered that he restrain himself from children. Ironically Sandusky, the 67-year-old who preformed sexually acts in the shower with young boys, lived next door to an elementary school.
According to CNN, some neighbors are furious that he is out on bail given where he lives. From Sandusky’s back porch he has a clear view of the playground of Lemont Elementary School.
The administrators at the elementary school say local police reached out to them subsequently to the arrest of Sandusky. Superintendent Robert O’Donnell quoted the school that runs through the second grade “has taken additional administrative action to ensure our children safety.”
Sandusky, the man responsible for the firing of the most winningest coach off all time, Joe Patreno and all of the Penn State chaos got a chance to speak on his behalf. He said that it was wrong for him to shower with those kids, but still maintain his innocence against all charges and denies being a pedophile.
Sandusky spoke with Bob Costas for an interview for NBC News’ Rock Center. He was asked, “Are you a pedophile?”
He responded, “No.”
“I’m innocent of these charges,” he added.
“I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.
“I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. But no, I’m not sexually attracted to young boys.”
When confronted about his wrong doings, he answered, “I shouldn’t have showered with those kids.”
On Nov.15 Penn State alumnus and former linebacker, LaVar Arrington, who played under Sandusky spoke on the sex scandal that tarnished the reputation of his alma mater.
He was utterly upset because he felt that Sandusky should’ve apologize to the victims, although he feels he’s innocent.
“You’re pissed off because he has something to say, you’re pissed off because he sounds like he’s on something,” Arrington told CBSWashingtonDC.com. “You know what I’m pissed off about? He didn’t say he was sorry to those kids. He didn’t say he was sorry to the kids at Penn State. He didn’t say he was sorry to the players, he didn’t say he was sorry to me, [to] us.”
Sandusky’s hearing that had been scheduled for Nov.16 has been postponed to Dec 7. While Sandusky proclaims his innocence then is when we will know the final verdict.
Olubowale Vitor Akintimehin better known as Wale has dropped his newest critically acclaimed album, “Ambition.” Often talked about and ridiculed, he proved his ability to successfully create a name for himself with successful mixtapes and a strong following out of the DMV area.
Two years have passed since 2009’s “Attention Deficit” and after signing with Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group, it seems as though Wale is now a house hold name. Wale is a diverse artist, but many complained he has changed his style only to conform to his new family at MMG. Wale once stated, “I make my own music I can be signed to anywhere….my topics are different from others on the label.” Many perceive Wale’s “new” sound as selling out, but whatever the opinion of the public they are buying into it. “Ambition” came in at #2 on the Billboard 200 music charts, selling over 100,000 units in the first week. “Ambition” is comprised of 15 tracks of pure talent, hard hitting beats, and substance.
Wale makes his ambition known early in the album’s opening, with the presumptuous statement on the opening track “Don’t Hold Your Applause”: “Tired of making money….on to making history.” Many can agree that in this day and age, many rappers tend to focus on the same subjects of money, women, drugs, sex and on many occasions, violence. These topics have been deemed the only things “important” in this generation, which is sad to say, depressingly true. Wale conveys the many different problems that are affecting black communities without having to stand on a soapbox. The track ‘DC or Nothin’ is a prime example:
“Making love to the streets/They be lustin’ for bread/They ain’t sleeping until they know every customer fed/When the city was chocolate there was death in their ears/all I’m hearing is AIDS, I ain’t deaf in my ears.”
Many argue Wale took the safe way out with this album by not digging deeper as he is sometimes known for, but there are few rappers who even skim the surface, probably scared it will negatively affect their record sells. There are many rappers who say absolutely nothing, but you can catch plenty of people repeating each line verbatim. Wale doesn’t talk about just sex; he talks about relationships. “Sabotage” is such a vulnerable track, about a past relationship and how he regrets its ending, is a record that you won’t see a lot of rappers do.
You can’t deny the fact that Wale is enjoying his “stardom”, and why shouldn’t he? Even on the more mainstream tracks like “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “White Linen”, you can’t deny his versatility. Wale is striving not to be famous or make money; he wants to be a legend.
“Ambition over everything…and I never plan on settling.”
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of how they may feel about Wale, but one thing you can not deny is the truth in his music…just listen.
Brittini Palmer is a reporter for the Richmond Voice and an analyst for Capital One. She graduated Magna Cum Lade from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and Journalism.She was initiated into the Beta Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and served as Miss Virginia Union University 2010-2011.
On Thursday, November 10, 2011, history was made in Norfolk.
A sea of green and gold cheered on their Spartans as they watched their beloved Norfolk State University defeat Hampton University in the 1st ever Battle of the Bay poetry slam between the two HBCUs in the New Student Center at Norfolk State University. This event marked the first time any HBCUs came together and put on a showcase of talent and skills in lyrics and verses before a packed crowd mixed with NSU green and gold and Hampton blue and white. Thursday night was an incredible example of HBCU Unity.
Of course, as much as we love our HBCU family, there will always be friendly competition between us. The poetry slam was highlighted by a Prop Rivalry, the segment where each team dissed the opponent’s university.
The Hampton University poetry slam team went first, and they went hard, but the Norfolk State team defended their turf and pulled out a win. The team was led by Jare’l Barnes, and included Kalvin Adekarim, Ebone, Jared Frazier, Joie Mone’t and Static Mike. The Hampton University team member are The Architect, MISKEENAH, Native Son, Clarissa Smith and Storm.
Daniel Pearlman, Professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, announced Norfolk State University as the winner and the crowd erupted. With the big turnout that the 1st annual Battle of the Bay poetry slam had, the next one promises to be an even bigger event.
The atmosphere of the event was electric, as the band THEM (The Highly Educated Musicians) provided the music. Held on the campus of Norfolk State University, the Battle of the Bay poetry slam was hosted by Godchild the Omen, a recording artist and a Norfolk native. Norfolk State University president Tony Atwater was in attendance as he was the special guest poet, and received a warm reception after his piece. Guest poets included Breeze from Norfolk State and Khemist from Hampton University.
Norfolk State University and Hampton University are to be applauded for their hard work into making this event a success. The Battle of the Bay poetry slam was competitive, exciting, intense, and entertaining. Most importantly, it united two HBCUs in displaying the talented students that attend HBCUs everywhere.
Make room for Miles at the top of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Golden Bears stunned Albany State for a 20-17 victory on Patton Chambers’ 29-yard field goal with nine seconds left for a 20-17 victory at Clark Atlanta’s Panther Stadium. Miles (7-4) earned its first SIAC championship and knocked Albany State (8-3) out of contention for its seventh consecutive bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
It’s the first time since 2000 that either Albany State or Tuskegee didn’t win the SIAC. With only four winning seasons since 1963 and a 3-8 record in 2010, Miles seemed like an unlikely candidate to break through.
But first-year coach Reginald Ruffin led Miles to the West division championship and won the league’s first championship game. “When I interviewed for the job, we didn’t talk about just competing,” Ruffin said. “We talked about winning, and winning right now.”
Albany State won four consecutive games to win the East division and was looking for its 15th SIAC title. But the Golden Rams had two turnovers when driving for scores and missed a go-ahead field-goal try before Miles’ winning drive
Albany State lost to Miles for the first time since 2002.
“If you would have asked me at the beginning of the year if we could make it to this point, I don’t know if I would have said yes,” coach Mike White said. “I thought we could win one [more] game, but to have an opportunity to win the championship, I will take that.” Albany State’s Brandon Hamilton missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt with 3:20 remaining. During Miles’ final drive, quarterback David Thomas passed for 26 yards to Vondragu Hudson on third-and-12 and scrambled 12 yards to the Albany State 12.
Chambers’ kick knuckled low and just cleared the crossbar. “I was hoping we got closer because I don’t like taking those 40-yard kicks under pressure,” Chambers said. “After David made that run, I knew that was destiny.”
Albany State’s path to the playoffs opened when North Alabama completed its 30-23 victory over North Alabama earlier Saturday. With Albany State’s loss, Morehouse has an outside shot to be selected for a playoffs spot when they are announced Sunday.
“I was definitely looking forward to the playoffs but unfortunately it didn’t happen,” said Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings, the former Marietta High standout. “I wish it would have because we have a strong team and I think we could have made a run.”
Miles stymied the SIAC’s No. 2 passing offense. Jennings, the league’s two-time offensive player of the year, completed 11 of 23 passes for 126 yards with an interception.
Jennings’ 21-yard touchdown pass to Jessie Atkins staked Albany State to a 9-7 lead late in the first half. Miles answered in the third quarter with Thomas’ 5-yard touchdown run for a 14-9 advantage and added a field goal late in the period.
Albany State quickly answered with Nathan Hoyte’s 2-yard touchdown run, which was set up by Jennings’ 38-yard pass to Hoyte. Hoyte added a two-point conversion run to tie the score at 17-17.
Albany State faced a fourth-and-4 when Hamilton missed the 38-yard field-goal attempt. Jennings said he wanted to go for the first down, but White said that wasn’t an option after Hoyte loss 2 yards on third down.
Albany State blew a good chance to score first. After Albany State forced a three-and-out, four consecutive runs by Hoyte set up a second down at the Miles 4-yard line. But a third-down penalty pushed Albany State back to the 9, and Jennings threw an interception into double coverage in the end zone while scrambling.
“I was trying to throw it to the back of the end zone, but my foot got caught in the turf,” Jennings said.
The Golden Bears took over at their 20 and marched on a 12-play touchdown drive. Thomas converted a fourth-and-4 run, carrying defenders for the final yard, and on the next play passed to Antonio Pitts for a 29-yard touchdown.
Albany State Game MVP: Nathan Hoyte
Miles Game MVP: David Thomas
Outstanding Coach: Reginald Ruffin, Miles College
Courtesy of Michael Cunningham, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA—The 2011 NCAA Division II football playoff pairings were announced today with one Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team, Albany State University, earning a berth in the postseason.
The Golden Rams moved to No. 6 in NCAA Super Region Two and will travel to play the No. 3 North Greenville on Saturday, November 19th at 12 noon.
The winner will travel to play the No. 2 Mars Hill, who has a bye in the opening round, on Saturday, November 26th at 12 noon.
Albany State finished the regular season with an 8-3 overall record, 6-1 in the SIAC, and won the SIAC east division but came up short in their bid for a second straight SIAC title, losing to Miles in Saturday’s SIAC Championship game.
This will be the 13th playoff appearance in the program’s history including their eighth consecutive appearance, all of which have come under Head Coach Mike White.
Other playoff teams in the region include Delta State, West Alabama, and North Alabama. The winner of Super Region Two will advance to the semifinals on December 10th with a berth to the national championship game on the line. The NCAA Division II National Championship game will take place December 17th at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama at 11 a.m. (EST) and will be televised live on ESPNU.
"Super" Mario breaks away from Texas Southern defenders. (Ciley Carrington)
Grambling, LA–
On Grambling State’s senior night, Cliff Exama’s 18 tackles led the G-Men to a 29-25 victory over the Texas Southern Tigers on Nov 12.
“It felt great,” said Exama. “Last year I got hurt in the third quarter, so it felt good to come out with a victory that we really needed.”
Exama finished with 18 tackles, 13 that came in the first half.
Last year’s battle between the two Tigers resulted in TSU rallying to overcome a 17-point third quarter deficit to beat Tigers 41-34 in an overtime thriller. The G-Men then went on and to defeat Southern University and finished with a record of (9-2, 8,1 SWAC). With a record of that caliber, the Tigers still weren’t able compete for the SWAC championship.
Instead of the Tigers putting last year’s heart breaking loss behind them, they played with the revenge on their minds. Just as last year, the game between the two Tigers was another heated match up. The G-Men ‘s sluggish start resulted in them trailing in the first quarter 7-0,their first quarter time of possession was 1:12. In the second quarter they came alive by responding with 14 unanswered.
Dawrence Roberts capped an 11 play 95- yard drive as he trotted in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown at the 4:35 mark and at the 1:09 mark D.J. Williams connected with “Super” Mario for a 5-yard touchdown reception.
Williams was 14 of 19 for 253 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The G-Men were seemingly on their way to a 14-7 halftime lead until Texas Southern responded with points of their own. As time expired Riko Smalls threw a 34- yard pass to Richard Samuel to knot the score 14 at half.
In the third quarter TSU scored 11 unanswered points and the G-Men were facing a 25-14 deficit going into the fourth, but the Tigers resilience prevailed once again.
In the last period the G-Men scored 15 unanswered points to erase TSU’s lead. At the 14:56 mark D.J. found an open Van Phillips for an 8-yard touchdown pass and rather an extra point field goal, the Tigers converted on a two-point conversion with a rush from Jeremy Hernandez. On the Tigers last drive “Super” Mario secured the win by sealing an eight play 89 – yard drive with a 34-yard touchdown reception from D.J. and a successful PAT by Zoltan Riazzo finalized the score 29-25.
Mario finished with nine receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
“They have done it for the last three weeks,” said coach Williams. “It’s their character. We’ve trailed in Pine- Bluff, we’ve trailed in Jackson and we’ve trailed at home and they scratch and claw to find a way to win and that’s the bottom line.”
Conversations about Grambling State, the preseason favored in the SWAC West, diminished because of their 1-4 start, early offensive woes and growing pains, so discussions about them being a challenge for the SWAC title was unheard of. Now in the second half of the season the Tigers are making noise.
They’ve compiled five consecutive wins, including a win over the Tigers of Jackson State, at the time the best team in the SWAC. They’ve discovered two offensive stars and now The Tigers (6-4, 5-3 SWAC) sit at the top of the SWAC West with a one game lead over Prairie View (5-5, 5-3 SWAC).
Mario Louis, a former high school basketball player has preformed beyond well in his transition to football. He has 967 receiving yards, 1006 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. Coach Williams raved about on his chances to compete at the next level.
“If this kid can just go to the league and say hey all I got to do is eat, sleep and drink football for my job then he’s going to be a good football player,” said coach Williams. “If Mario doesn’t get a shot then I’d say something’s wrong. It’s going to be hard to imagine with some of the people who I’ve talked to that Mario won’t get a chance to at least walk on the field.” He added.
Midway through the season Dawrence Roberts emerged as the SWAC top rushers. Thus far, in only eight games played he as 844 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
This week as the Tigers take off, they will be cheering on Alabama A&M. A Bulldogs defeat over Prairie View and a Grambling victory over Southern would eliminate the Panthers from any championship conversation.
The Tigers next game will be on Nov.26 against the Southern Jaguars in the Bayou Classic at the Super Dome in New Orleans Kickoff begins at 1 p.m.
BALTIMORE, Md. – Quarterback Chris Walleypassed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and the Norfolk State defense held Morgan State scoreless in the second half to lead the Spartans to a 47-14 win on Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium, clinching the Spartans’ first-ever outright MEAC football title and Division I FCS playoff bid.
The 22nd-ranked Spartans (9-2, 7-1 MEAC) secured the school’s fifth conference football title of any kind, and the first since the 1984 team won the last of the program’s four CIAA titles in Division II. NSU also won its ninth game of the year Saturday, second-most in school history behind the 1984 team, which finished 10-2.
The Spartans also secured the MEAC’s automatic berth in the 20-team Division I FCS playoffs, which begin on Nov. 26. NSU has a bye week next Saturday, the final week of the regular season, before learning its playoff fate on Sunday, Nov. 20.
NSU led just 20-14 at halftime, but scored 17 points in a four-minute span early in the third quarter to pull away. Junior running back Randy Maynes gave NSU some immediate breathing room on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, bursting through the middle of the defense for a 56-yard touchdown run to give the Spartans a 27-14 lead.
Morgan State (5-5, 4-3) was held three-and-out on its next drive, and a 48-yard completion from Walley to freshman Keith Johnsonmoved the Spartans deep into Bear territory again. A 28-yard Ryan Estepfield goal extended the lead to 30-14 with 10:50 left in the third quarter.
NSU wasn’t done, as special teamer Tyrece Shepherd forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that the Spartans’ Marcell Coke recovered and returned to the MSU 1. Walley bulled in from there to make it 37-14 just 16 seconds later.
The Spartans added 10 more points in the fourth quarter, on a 23-yard Estep field goal – his fourth of the day – and a 2-yard TD run by Takeem Hedgeman to complete the scoring.
“I’m so proud of our players right now for working as hard as they have and making history like this,” NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. “The chemistry on this team is great. They’ve been a special group to coach. All they talk about is winning, not about personal goals.”
Winston-Salem State University defeats Elizabeth City State University to win the 2011 CIAA Championship (WSSU Dept. Of Athletics)
DURHAM, NC – The #4 Winston-Salem State Football team scored 28 second half points and survived a late scare from Elizabeth City State, and rode the wave of running back Nicholas Cooper’s 165 yards and three touchdowns, en route to a 38-18 win in the 2011 CIAA Football Championship Game in Durham, NC.
The 10,127 football fans in attendance were treated to a beautiful afternoon for a game and saw the WSSU Rams, who moved to 11-0 overall on the season, come away with their ninth football championship and first since 2000.
Elizabeth City State falls to 8-3 on the year.
After deferring the coin toss, Winston-Salem State would hold Elizabeth City on their first possession, and the Rams would march down the field highlighted by a Nicholas Cooper 13 yard run and end up with three points, on a Landen Thayer 27 yard field goal, to give the Rams the early 3-0 advantage.
The WSSU defense would stop the Vikings again on their next series on a three and out, and the WSSU offense would go to work once again and this time march down the field 84 yards in 11 plays, capped off by a Kameron Smith to Tehvyn Brantley nine yard pass and catch for a touchdown. The PAT gave the Rams an early 10-0 lead and it looked like it could be another blowout win for the Rams.
The Elizabeth City State Vikings were determined to make this a game, and they would march down the field, chewing up 4:27, going 49 yards in 11 plays. But the Rams would come up big on the ECSU field goal attempt, as Akeem Ward would penetrate the Viking defensive line and leap and block the ball, and Alton Keaton would fall on the loose ball for WSSU.
Winston-Salem State would go three and out on a Kameron Smith interception and the Viknings would take full advantage this time marching down the field and scoring on a Daronte McNeill two yard run. But the PAT was blocked by WSSU’s CJ Washington, making the score 10-6 with 9:01 left before halftime.
Both teams would have another possession but could do nothing with it and the Rams would take the 10-6 lead into the half.
WSSU would come out clicking on all cylinders in the second half and on the first play from scrimmage, Jameze Massey would take a reverse and scamper down the left sideline and cutting back across the field en route to a 64 yard gain. With the personal foul penalty levied against the Vikings, WSSU would have a first down on the three yard line. Nicholas Cooper would cross the goal line on the next play pushing the Rams lead to 17-6.
Then on Elizabeth City’s next drive, after moving down the field and into Ram territory, CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, WSSU Alton Keaton, would make one of the biggest plays of the year. WSSU had just been flagged for a pass interference call, when on first down the Vikings quarterback would drop back for a pass, but Keaton would zoom in and sack the ball carrier, stripping the ball and then scooping it up and racing 64 yards to the ECSU 14 yard line. Two plays later Cooper would hit the endzone for the second time in the quarter giving WSSU what seemed to be an insurmountable lead.
The Rams defense would hold ECSU down once again on the next drive, forcing a three and out, and when the Rams starting driving down the field and into Viking territory, the Ram faithful could all envision the Championship.
But the drive would falter for WSSU, and after missing a 38 yard field goal, Elizabeth City would start to gain momentum.
On WSSU’s next possession, Nicholas Cooper would put the ball on the ground, and as the fourth quarter started, Elizabeth City State would convert the turnover into points, capping an eight play, 61 yard drive with a Creven Powell to Billy Wiggins score, cutting the Ram lead to 24-12.
On WSSU’s next snap, Jameze Massy would rush for eight yards, but a glancing blow would cause him to fumble, giving the ball back to the Vikings, and with their fans behind them, they would start to drive once again.
But after holding the conference’s Offensive Play of the Year in check for most of the game, McNeill would quickly quiet the Rams faithful, when on a fourth down and two, McNeill would find a crease and explode into the WSSU secondary scampering untouched for a 52 yard score. The missed PAT, cut the Rams lead to 24-18 with 12:17 remaining in the contest.
Determined to make good after his last miscue, Nic Cooper would put the Rams offense on his back, rushing for 55 yards on four carries on WSSU’s nine play 70 yard drive that took 5:07 off the clock, capping the drive with a 20 yard score around the right end, pushing the WSSU lead back to 30-18.
The WSSU Rams defense would come up big once again, and the Rams added a safety after a bad snap on a punt attempt that sailed over the punters head, and backup fullback Tyrone Goldston provided the exclamation point, a 24-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left to give the Rams final margin of victory to 20, at 38-18.
Nicholas Cooper was the game MVP for Winston-Salem State, while Daronte McNeill was named MVP for Elizabeth City State.
Offensively, the Rams were led by Nicholas Cooper’s 163 yards on 24 carries and three scores. Wide receiver Jameze Massey had two carries for 73 yards, Tyrone Gholston had four carries for 50 yards, Kameron Smith rushed six times for 31 yards and Maurice Lewis rushed six times for six yards.
Tehvyn Brantley led WSSU with five catches for 34 yards and a touchdown, while Darryl Freeney, had two 33 yards, Jamal Williams had two for 28 yards, and Tyrone Gholston two catches for nine yards. Jameze Massey had one for seven yards.
Landen Thayer punted once for 45 yards, and went one for two on field goals with a 27 yarder for three points.
Defensively, Alton Keaton (five solo) led the Rams in tackles for the eighth time this season, racking up seven tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. Akeem Ward finished with six tackles (four solo), one and half tackles for loss and one blocked kick. Brian Williams also had six tackles (three solo). Antonio Gates, Khendra Reid and Carlos Fields each had five tackles, with Gates picking up a sack and a tackle for a loss.
WSSU will find out the official NCAA DII Playoff pairings when they are announced at 5:00 pm on Sunday.
The Tau Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc. celebrated their Founder’s Day with Founder’s Week , a schedule of programs held during the week of November 7 until their Founder’s Day, November 12, 2011 at Virginia Union University.
Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sigma Gamma Rho should be commended for the founding of their organization, as it was extremely difficult for a group of black school teachers to do this in the racist, Ku Klux Klan affiliated state of Indiana. Sigma Gamma Rho is the only black sorority in the Divine 9 not founded at an HBCU, but their impact on HBCUs has been evident in their 89 year legacy of sisterhood, service and scholarship.
The 7 founders of Sigma Gamma Rho (Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Cubena McClure, Vivian Irene White Marbury, Bessie Mae Downey Rhodes Martin, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, & Dorothy Hanley Whiteside) were dedicated to scholarship, service, sisterhood and enriching the lives of African-American women everywhere.
The Tau Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho was chartered on January 29, 1929 on the campus of Virginia Union University. The chapter was chartered by Nellie Lee, Alice LaRoche, Thelma Woodfolk Wilson, Mary Smith Robinson and Mildred Lee Tynes. The Tau chapter is the mother chapter of the Northeast Region.
The Tau chapter balanced its Founder’s Week with programs of substance and service, beginning their Founder’s Week with “HERstory” on Monday November 7, followed with a Bible Study on Tuesday, November 8 hosted along with the Nu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the Women of Elegance, a female ministry organization also founded at Virginia Union University.
The week continued on Wednesday with Game Night in collaboration with the Alpha Gamma chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and KaRHOke night on Thursday, ending with a Campus Clean up of Virginia Union University on Saturday at 7:22 A.M. A true commitment to service was this street clean up, as the night before the SGRhos continued a Virginia Union tradition by ringing the bell and chanting at midnight to celebrate 89 years of Sigma.
To keep in touch with Tau, you can visit their webpage at Tenacious Tau and follow their Twitter.
