Independence Day Fireworks at Washington, D.C.

Former Saint Augustine's Kia Davis chooses different path to Beijing Olympics

Excerpt from article:

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," the 32-year-old Kia Davis said by phone Thursday afternoon. "I want to treat it like just another meet, but I know it isn't just another meet. I'm sure I'll start getting those butterflies inside very soon."
The only thing that would make the experience better is the uniform she will be wearing in China.

Davis will compete for the Republic of Liberia, the homeland of her father and paternal grandparents, not for the United States. She will be competing in the 400-meter dash, and possibly the 200. "It wasn't an easy decision," Davis said. "I agonized over it. I sat down and had a long talk with my coach, Bethune-Cookman University's Garfield Ellenwood, who also is coach of the Liberian national team, my family and my fiancée (Michael Ford, an assistant coach at Baylor).

"I know some people won't like that," said Davis, who lives in Daytona Beach, Fla., and is an assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman University. "They'll think I'm un-American or unpatriotic. I've already received some static over it. If someone can come to this country and take a spot away from an American athlete, why can't an American do the same thing elsewhere?

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McAfee coached for more than wins

The Wichita Sports Hall of Fame inducts 10 individuals and a team.

When David Norwood was asked to talk about Arthur McAfee Jr., his former coach at Morehouse College, Norwood didn't say one word about basketball. He said nothing of McAfee's knowledge of the sport, about McAfee's 518 career victories. Didn't reference McAfee's induction into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.

When Norwood talked about McAfee, he spoke solely of him as a person. "Coach Mac, he gave me a second chance. He was an individual that really gave me a chance to be the person I am today," said Norwood, a 1990 Heights High graduate. McAfee allowed Norwood to walk on in 1992, less than a year after Norwood got out of jail for selling drugs.

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Former Saint Augustine's hurdler earns Olympic berth

EUGENE, Ore. - Former Saint Augustine's College hurdler and current Falcon student Bershawn Jackson gained a berth to the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a convincing victory in the 400-meter hurdles final on Sunday (June 29) at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field. This is the first Olympic berth for Jackson, a Miami, Fla., native who lives and trains in Raleigh, NC, under George Williams, the legendary Saint Augustine's College track and field coach and 2004 U.S. Olympic team coach.

Jackson blitzed the field in the finals, crossing the finish line in 48.17 seconds to beat Kerron Clement (48.36) and Angelo Taylor (48.42), who both are going to the 2008 Olympics as well. The top three finishers advance to the Beijing Games.



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Stillman AD knows all about hard work, challenges

TUSCALOOSA - Curtis D. Campbell, athletics director at Stillman College, came to town with the experience of an administrator, having worked at colleges of various sizes. He also had the experience of jumping from an airplane with a full load of military gear, having serving as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. So he knows something about responsibility and discipline.

Campbell, 45, got the job on July 1, 2007, becoming Stillman’s fifth AD in three years. He replaced Greg Thompson, head football coach, who served two stints as athletics director.

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JCSU leader prepares to step away

Photo: Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy.

CHARLOTTE -- Nearly 50 years ago, Johnson C. Smith University’s 12th president set foot on the campus, first as a student and then years later at a leader. Now, Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy says it is time to say good bye. Yancy started at JCSU in 1960, and while at first she was homesick, the school would eventually be her home away from home. Upon graduating in 1964, she knew her time at the university was far from over.

"I left here determined to make Johnson C. Smith University proud of me,” said the first woman to ever be the school’s president. "It was different coming back as interim president. I thought I'd be here for maybe six months because … I figured by September I'd be back in the classroom at Georgia Tech and life would continue. I never expected to be here for 14 years."

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LeMoyne-Owen presidential finalists to meet public

College narrows search for new leader down to 3

Officials with LeMoyne-Owen College have narrowed their search for a new president to three people. The finalists are Dr. Charles Beady, Dr. Lester Newman and Dr. Patricia Ramsey. If one of them is chosen, he or she will succeed James Wingate, who stepped down in July 2006. Former Memphis City Schools superintendent Johnnie Watson has led the school since shortly after Wingate resigned.

Each of the candidates will meet with the community, beginning today through Wednesday, said Robert Lipscomb, chairman of the college's board directors. "They're coming in for community and constituent meetings. Let them feel the college out and vice versa," Lipscomb said Sunday.

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Tavon Waters transferring to FSU

Every athlete dreams of taking their game to the next level. Former Wayne County prep standout Tavon Waters is getting that chance. Waters recently announced that he will be leaving Brunswick Community College, and enrolling at perennial Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association power Fayetteville State University. The move is the culmination of hard work, prowess and perseverance.

"I know that Fayetteville State is a place where I can be successful," said Waters, who played at Goldsboro High and Wayne Country Day. "It's a place where I can help keep the spotlight on basketball. "I have a really close family, and I wanted to go to a place where they could come and watch me play ... a place that would allow me to be close to home."

After completing a successful high school career at Wayne Country Day, the combo-guard weighed all of his collegiate options. Eventually he found a home within coach Walter Shaw's highly-successful program at Brunswick.

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Iverson's ability opens door for playing at Stillman College

TUSCALOOSA Sitting through team meetings and overhearing countless recruiting calls, Iverson Williams couldn’t escape football, no matter how much his father, Ivey, tried to deter him.

Iverson Williams, a junior wide receiver at Stillman College, learned the subtleties of football shadowing his dad, a football coach for 33 years.

Now an assistant head coach at Northwest Oklahoma State University, Ivey Williams is known to Alabama Crimson Tide fans as the running backs coach for Gene Stallings and Mike DuBose from 1994-2000. He coached the same position for the Detroit Lions in the late ’80s.

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Sixth Annual ASU Golden Rams Golf Outing

ALBANY - The college football season will be here before you know it, and regarding Albany State University, Coach Mike White is hoping to contend for an SIAC Championship. But Saturday afternoon, instead of barking out play calls, he hosted the sixth Annual Golden Rams Golf Outing.

The event is put on to help raise money for the ASU football program. Even though temperatures were high, many still showed, which White appreciated. "It is extremely important to our program. Our sponsors have been great to us. A lot of guys have come to play this year and we're really pleased. And again, we look forward to this each year."

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A 6-foot-7-inch seaman plays on all-Navy basketball team

Tolbert said he would like to apply to attend Virginia State University on a Navy scholarship, where he could play and finish his education.

NORFOLK, Va. - Seaman Sam Tolbert needed to get to another, quieter compartment in his ship. There was one obvious way: through the bulkhead, a manhole-size cutout about 3 feet off the deck. Tolbert tucked his head, coiled up his 6-foot-7-inch frame and aimed for the hole. Swish.

A train of visitors bumped and rattled through behind him. He explained his deft moves: "I'm used to it." The Navy is not perfectly designed for the big and tall sailor. But for Tolbert, it is a path to further his basketball education.

At 21, he is a two-time member of the all-Navy basketball team. He's a force at military gyms and aboard the amphibious ship Bataan.

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This seaman should be a great acquisition for VSU Trojans Basketball.

Obama Claims Historic Presidential Nomination

Becomes First Black Candidate To Head Major-Party Ticket

With a split decision in the final two primaries and a flurry of superdelegate endorsements, Sen. Barack Obama sealed the Democratic presidential nomination last night after a grueling and history-making campaign against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that will make him the first African American to head a major-party ticket.

Before a chanting and cheering audience in St. Paul, Minn., the first-term senator from Illinois savored what once seemed an unlikely outcome to the Democratic race with a nod to the marathon that was ending and to what will be another hard-fought battle, against Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

"Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another -- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America," he said, as the emotion of the moment showed on his face. "Because of you, tonight I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America."

Senator Barack Obama Victory Speech on June 3, 2008, St. Paul, MN



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Bulldog defenders teaming up again at Lane College

PALM COAST, FL -- Ralph Jeanty and Brandon Hubbert took different paths to the same destination while playing football at Flagler Palm Coast, and now the pair are teaming up again at the collegiate level.

Jeanty and Hubbert, who graduated Saturday from FPC, each earned scholarships and signed National Letters of Intent last week to attend Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., next fall. The two were stalwarts on a defense that led all big school teams in the area for its stingy play and plan to continue that at Lane.

Jeanty played defensive tackle for the Bulldogs this past season, his second on the varsity. He racked up 10 solo tackles and six assists, along with two sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass break up.

Hubbert, a four-year member of the Bulldog program, played at linebacker and had 48 solo and assisted tackles this past season. He led the team with four fumble recoveries and also had 2 1/2 sacks, six hurries and five tackles for losses and a team-leading four fumble recoveries.

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Bill Cosby: A State Of Emergency

VIDEO: http://cbs3.com/video/?id=58087@kyw.dayport.com

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― A new rap album will hit the market next month called "A State of Emergency" and entertainer and comedian Bill Cosby is behind it.

The Philadelphia native is tired, like so many others, of the violence that has not only taken lives, but destroyed the lives of those left behind. Ukee Washington sat down with Dr. Cosby to talk about this soon-to-be-released project and he told Ukee first things first.

"I'm not rapping," said Cosby. But these young men are! It's the brainchild of Dr. William H. Cosby and friends: friends who came to him and said we want to do "clean lyrics." "I don't like the word clean, what I like is what you're not going to do.

The day he graduated Morehouse College in Atlanta was a day Cosby will never forget.

VIDEO: http://cbs3.com/video/?id=58087@kyw.dayport.com

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South Fork's McIntyre chooses Clark Atlanta

South Fork's Mike McIntyre has signed to play at linebacker at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.

McIntyre spent much of last season playing offensive lineman to cover for injured players as well as playing backup fullback.

"I have a cousin that plays for the Falcons, and I thought it would be cool to see a couple of his football games. So, basically, it was my cousin and the surroundings in Atlanta," said McIntrye, referring to his cousin, Atlanta Falcons fullback Corey McIntyre.

Mike McIntyre, who is 5-foot-9 and 236 pounds, grew up in Indiantown.

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Paine College played with ineligible golfer

Office of Public Relations
1235 Fifteenth Street
Augusta, GA 30901

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paine College President Responds To Golf Team Tournament Withdrawal

(AUGUSTA) - Due to the massive amount of attention surrounding the absence of the Paine College Golf Team at the National Minority Golf Competition in Florida officials have prepared the attached statement. The following statement from President George C. Bradley is a response to the situation in detail. Officials of the institution feel that it is critical to be upfront with our media constituents about the situation involving the Paine College Golf Team. Please forward all media inquires to the Paine College Office of Public Relations.

President’s Statement

The recent misunderstanding regarding Paine College’s golf program is unfortunate. I feel as bad as anyone about the situation at this time. I say that knowing that a lot of individuals are disappointed that Paine College did not avail itself of a golfing opportunity that appeared to be there – especially when it seemed as though money was the only obstacle to their participation at the National Minority Golf Competition in Florida.

The fact of the matter is that money was only a part of the problem. The other part, a much more significant one, had to do with the ineligibility of a Paine golfer who played in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship Tournament held in Albany, Georgia.

In that competition Paine beat out four other schools for the Championship.

Unfortunately, we achieved this feat with a player who was not eligible. The fact that the team won with an ineligible player was reported by officials at Paine College (self-reported) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The reason that it has taken a considerable amount of time responding to inquiries has more to do with the nascent status of golf and golf championship participation requirements in the SIAC as well as an institution’s responsibility to the NCAA regarding non-sanctioned events. The tournament that Paine College won recently was sponsored by the SIAC, but not sanctioned by the NCAA.

The lack of the NCAA’s sanction, notwithstanding, our decision to not send our team to the National Minority Golf Competition in Florida, something that we could have done with some financial strain, had mostly to do with our determination to follow the rules required by the NCAA – regardless of the competition. After it was determined that we had an ineligible player who had participated in the tournament in Albany, our decision was to draw back.

We have a lot of confidence in our athletic director and our team. Coach Ronnie Spry is a highly successful coach and athletic director who has an impeccable record with the NCAA. Our players are fine young men who possess outstanding golfing skills. There is no doubt that they could have competed well in Florida.

It is also evident that they have devoted a great deal of time and effort in honing their golfing skills. We know, too, that winning is very important; but competing must be done with honor, fairness, and respect for the rules of golf and the NCAA. Golf demands it as much as -- if not more than-- any sport that is played in either amateur or professional competition.

Pursuant to this spirit of honor and integrity, we called one on ourselves – again, a decision that is quite common to golf.

With some clarification from the SIAC and the NCAA about golf participation, we can certainly do better. We plan to do just that – better. Careful implementation of the will of the NCAA and the SIAC, and better staff knowledge of the various guidelines set, will keep us moving in the right direction.

If there is anything good that can be salvaged from this unfortunate situation, it is a confirmation of a deeply held belief that there are many people in Augusta who support Paine College’s golf team. We have received numerous calls from people who plan to lend their financial and fan support to Paine College becoming a part of the rich golf legacy that has become synonymous with Augusta. We thank you for your continued interest and support.

George C. Bradley, Ph.D.

For more information, contact: Natasha Carter, Interim Director of Public Relations at (706) 396-7591.

SIAC fires commissioner, cites financial mismanagement

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has fired William E. Lide, its commissioner for the past five years, citing mismanagement of the league's finances.

A statement released by the SIAC's Council of Presidents said Lide had been suspended since April 15 and was terminated on May 31.

Tuskegee University President Benjamin F. Payton, chairman of the council of presidents for the NCAA Division II conference, said in the release, "the council of presidents regrets very much the necessity to take this action. ... (Lide) brought new energy and imagination to the conference and we certainly wish that we could continue this statement on that note.

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Tuskegee star passes QB test

Dameyune Craig played football in the Southeastern Conference, spent four years as a backup in the NFL and is now coaching on the college level. During that time, few players have impressed him more than Tuskegee University quarterback Jacary Atkinson.

"The guy is one of the smartest players I've ever been around, bar none," said Craig, who coached Atkinson through last season as a member of the Golden Tigers' staff and is now on Joey Jones' staff at South Alabama.

"You tell Jacary something one time and he's got it. He's a once-in-a-lifetime guy."

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Anthony transfers to Tuskegee University

Former Bastrop High (La.) cornerback Rodney Anthony will play football and run track for Tuskegee (Ala.) University next year. Anthony had a fine season as a redshirt freshman at Southern Arkansas last season, recording 49 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Anthony transferred to ULM last spring, but did not play football. He signed a letter of intent last week to play for Tuskegee where he will be eligible immediately. "I'm relieved to have a place to play," said Anthony. "Not knowing where I was going to school put me under a lot of stress."

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"Tuskegee has been a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since 1913." False! TU is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Bentley transferring from St. Augustine's College to Middle Tennessee State University for track

After redshirting a year at an NCAA Division II national track and field power, former Brainerd High School speedster Adrian “Buck” Bentley is heading to a Division I career closer to home.

Bentley signed scholarship papers Monday to run for Middle Tennessee State University. He’s leaving Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C., with 24 credit hours and a grade point average above 2.6. He was majoring in engineering and mathematics, so he was taking some heavyweight courses.

“He always had the academic ability. He struggled about what is necessary to move on,” said Brainerd coach Mary Sparn, noting that Bentley got behind early in high school. “He is a very bright kid. Actually, he’s not a kid anymore — he’s an adult, and he’s proved that.”

Bentley holds Brainerd records for the 100- and 200-meter dashes and is part of the school’s record 4x100 relay. He won the 100 and 400, helped win the 4x100 and finished second in the 200 in the 2007 TSSAA Class A/AA state meet, leading the Panthers to the team championship.

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