Tennessee State Head Football Coach Rod Reed on Sports Saturday

[In Memorian] Thelma Payton TSU Alum and Former Tuskegee University first lady dies

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (May 23, 2013) — Thelma P. Payton, the wife of Tuskegee University’s fifth president, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, died today. She served as first lady at the university from 1981-2010. Formerly Thelma Plane of Evanston, Ill., she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a master’s in social work from the Columbia University School of Social Work.

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“From The Rough” set to be featured at U.S. Open at Merion

from http://www.delcotimes.com

The film was shown at some film festivals and awards events in 2011, and, in its current version, is being prepared for theatrical release in 2014. Its Ardmore screening will be the first time it is seen in the Philadelphia area, Critelli said. Its next showing here will be in July, during the National Urban League conference, hosted by the Urban League of Philadelphia.

Critelli said the current version runs 92 minutes, trimming about 25 minutes, and focuses even more clearly on the coach’s character and “her transformation as a leader and mentor to young people.”

“The story grabbed me, and I was at a decision point in my life,” Critelli said of his motivation to make the film. “I believe very strongly in principles of inclusion,” he said, referring to one of the movie’s themes. He said he was also persuaded by conversations he had with others in creative fields, who told him that entertainment can be a great influence in social issues.

In connection with the game of golf in particular, Critelli said that one path that, for young black players like the ones Starks wanted to recruit, had been a way to learn and enter the game had narrowed, as clubs phased out caddying programs. Through her efforts, the teams she put together, until her retirement as coach in 2006, were extraordinarily diverse.

Her most famous golfer, Canadian Sean Foley, has gone on to serve as swing coach to Tiger Woods. Another team member, Sam Puryear, became the first African-American men’s head golf coach in any major college conference, at Michigan State University.

Critelli, who will be traveling internationally, will not be able to attend the Ardmore screening, but other members of the movie production team, including his wife, Joyce, and son, Michael, the screenwriter, will be on hand for a question and answer session. Also expected to attend is the film’s “everyday hero,” Coach Starks herself. The session will be moderated by Ardmore’s movie expert, Miguel Gomez of Viva Video.

Gomez, who staged an outdoor screening for last month’s First Friday Main Line, is providing the equipment to show “From the Rough.”

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TSU Tiger Lamar Mcknight delivers Inspirational Message

With nearly 30 Lincoln High School football players huddled around him, Lamar McKnight began by asking a two-pronged question. The first portion of the former star quarterback’s query was simple enough: “How many of you want to play college football?” he asked.

The team provided a silent, unanimous answer, raising their hands to the ceiling of the school’s weight room. Then came the back end of McKnight’s question.“What’s your GPA?” he asked, singling out a handful of players, one at a time. The responses were mixed. Two-point-zero answered one. One-point-eight, said another.

“I forgot to keep what was important, important,” he said. “Trust me, them grades are what’s most important.”

And so began an informal, yet impassioned talk that spanned well over an hour in the bowels of the Jersey City public school last Tuesday. McKnight, 21, who recounted his winding journey from Lincoln High School to signing a football scholarship at Tennessee State University in March, hopes his words will echo in the minds of those current players for years to come.

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[Channel 5 News] TSU Football Coach Reacts To Controversy Over Rutgers Coach

NASHVILLE, Tenn – The controversy over former Rutgers University head basketball coach has people across the country talking. It also has other college football coaches looking at their coaching styles.

Coach Rod Reed is going into his fourth season at head football coach at Tennessee State University.

Reed said motivation, or tough love is part of the game.

“Like Vince Lombardi said, any man worth his salt, appreciates the discipline he gets when he’s out here on his field,” Reed said.

The tough talk and constant reminders are meant to be more than just a nuisance for players.

“They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.,” Reed explained.

[NFL Draft] Trabis Ward visits with the Titans

Tennessee State RB Trabis Ward visits Titans

Tennessee State running back Trabis Ward was one of several local football stars to meet with the Titans Monday, prior to the 2013 NFL Draft.

Robert Covington featured in Bleacher Report’s NBA Draft Board

 

Robert Covington, Tennessee State, SF

At 6’9”, Covington’s appeal as a prospect is related to his three-point stroke and size as a stretch-forward. He’s regressed somewhat as a senior, seeing his percentages dip across the board, which is what could make him a value pick at the end of the second round in a buy-low opportunity. He’s averaged at least 17 points per game in back-to-back years.

 

[Football Revenue] TV ratings better than ticket sales?

Photo from TSU Studios

The FBS football members know that TV revenue is greater than attendance revenue. Classics are based off the assumption that more butts in seats will come to a neutral location therefore generating revenue. The big boys now recognize that the butts in seats model won’t sustain athletics. The guaranteed TV revenue is more important. How should HBCUs adjust?

TV ratings begin to mean more money for schools than ticket revenue. Should FCS schools and other HBCUs rethink their strategy to gain revenue for sports?

That may be an extreme vision of the road that big-time college athletics is traveling. But do you really need 80,000 fans in your stadium if the broadcast-rights check from ESPN, Fox or another provider has already been cashed by your conference?

“Conference realignment is really driven by the cable TV structure and everybody needing to get a part of this pie,” said Richard Southall, associate professor of sports administration at UNC-Chapel Hill and director of the College Sport Research Institute. “The constant pressure on universities to generate that revenue from the media deals has fundamentally changed college sports.”

[March Madness] TSU Tigers Headed to the CIT

The TSU Tigers Men’s Basketball have accepted a bid to the CIT according to several media outlets. The official bracket and announcement won’t be released until after the selection process on Sunday.

This is the first back to back winning season since the 94-95 season. I also glad to see our wonderful seniors Robert Covington, Kellen Thorton, Jordan Cyphers, and Tashan Fredericks will get to play again!

 

UPDATE 

The games are free online. Sign Up Below

http://www.watchcollegeinsider.com/subs/Landing.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29600

Coach Travis Williams Named a Joe B. Hall Coach of the Year Finalist

 

The ten finalists include Kevin Baggett (Rider), Jamion Christian (Mount St. Mary’s), Mike Martin (Brown), Bashir Mason (Wagner), Dan Muller (Illinois State), Kevin Ollie (Connecticut), Jack Perri (LIU-Brooklyn), Richard Pitino (FIU), Nick Robinson (Southern Utah), Travis Williams (Tennessee State).

The award is named in the honor of Joe B. Hall who was given the task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp. In his first season at the University of Kentucky, Hall finished 20-8, won the SEC and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals.

 

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