The GAME - Black Sports The Magazine

BSTM 

The GAME 

[that caused integration of college 

February 2006 

basketball teams in the south] 

1966 NCAA Basketball 

Championship 

Texas Western 

vs 

Kentucky 

HBCU 2005 Football 

All-Americans 

HBCU Report 

CIAA 

SIAC 

MEAC 

SWAC 

Black History 

Bill Pickett 

The Original Black Outdoorsmen 

The Youngest Player in NFL History

BSTM 

& 

Honey Lets Travel 

Presents The First Annual 

Black Singles Windjammer Cruise 

Picture this: 

• 72 African American Singles on a 236 foot Windjammer 

• A crew of 30 

• You sail along with a fleet of yachts from the 9th Annual 

Black Boaters Summit. 

• You spend 3-5 hours a day getting from island to island, 

then its off the boat to explore and party. 

Call Debbie Kersey for more information 

707-235-4577 

or email at: dkersey28@yahoo.com 

Visit us at www.blackwindjammers.com

THE GAME 

Texas Western vs Kentucky 

14 A Season to Remember 

15 1966 Champions Quotebook 

16 1966 Flashback - The El 

Paso Times 

17 A Historic Victory - 1966 

Champions Notebook 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

COVER STORIES 

Football 

6 The 2005 SBN Sports Black College All-American Team 


10 William “Bill” Pickett - “Bull Doggin” Cowboy 

18 Charlie Powell - “Mr. Versatility” - The Youngest Player in NFL History 

21 The Original Black Outdoorsmen 

FEATURES 

High Scool Basketball 

4 Tina Charles -Christ The King High School’s Basketball Hoops Star 

Gymnastics 

11 Isadora Rhythmics - Superstars in Rythmic Gymnastics 

Motor Sports 

30 NASCAR Dreams - Bill Lester, Race Car Driver 

HISTORICAL BLACK 

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES 

HBCU Report 

22 Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] 

24 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [SIAC] 

26 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association [CIAA] 

28 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference [MEAC] 

Cover photo and photo on this page provided by UTEP. 

BSTM is published digitally, monthly by Black Sports The Magazine, LLC. Principal Office: Washington, D.C.. Melvin Bell, 

Chairman & CEO. EMAIL LIST: We make a portion of our email list available to reputable firms. If you would prefer that we not 

include your name, please write us. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: For 24 hour service, please use our website 

at www.blacksportsthemagazine.com or write us at Post Office Box 55477, Washington, D.C. 20040. 

WRITE FOR BLACK SPORTS THE MAGAZINE? Would you like to be a part of the BSTM team and write about sports that 

interest you? If you are interested in writing for us, please e-mail us with some of your ideas. E-MAIL ADDRESS: 

webmaster@blacksportsthemagazine.com. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.blacksportsthemagazine.com. 

visit us at: www.blacksportsthemagazine.com 

2004 © BSTMLLC

TINA 

CHARLES 

Tina Charles is a senior at Christ The King 

(Lady Royals) Regional High School 

located in Middle Village, New York. She is 

one of the latest in a long line of talented 

hoops stars that come out of this great 

program, which has featured basketball 

stars such as Sue Bird and Chamique 

Holdsclaw. She was a key part of the 2005 

New York City and State Catholic High 

School as well as the New York State 

Federation High School Championship 

teams and is the leader of her current team. 

The Lady Royals defeated the Lady Blazers 

of Murry Bergtraum High School (N.Y.) led 

by Rutgers University-bound Epiphanny 

Prince 66-59 to complete a perfect 27-0 

record and to claim the 2005 Class AA New 

York State (NYS) title after losing the same 

championship game the previous year. 

This past month (January 2006), Tina led 

top-ranked Christ the King (No. 1 in the 

country) past No. 2 Bergtraum 65-63. She 

rebounded her own missed shot and made 

a short jumper at the buzzer to lift her team 

past its crosstown rival, No. 2 Murry 

Bergtraum, 65-63 at Madison Square 

4 BSTM February 2006 

High School Basketball 

CHRIST THE KING HIGH SCHOOL’S 

BASKETBALL HOOPS STAR 

By Herbert Delancey 

Garden in New York City. “My coaches 

always tell me to follow my shot. I put up a 

prayer,” said Charles, who had 20 points, 

24 rebounds and two blocked shots. It was 

the second time this season Christ the King 

(CTK) beat the No. 2 team. In December, 

CTK beat then-No. 2 Collins Hill (Suwanee, 

Ga.) in overtime to win the Tournament of 

Champions Black Division in Chandler, Ariz. 

Miss Charles also has her name in the 

record books at the NYS Federation level 

with 20 rebounds in one game. She leads 

the nation’s top girls high school basketball 

team, as they have been voted that honor 

for the first time since 1990. 

She is currently the top-ranked schoolgirl 

in the country, and was the most soughtafter 

recruit in the land. She recently signed 

with the University of Connecticut and will 

undoubtedly help the Lady Huskies 

continue their prominence in the Big East 

Conference and on the national level. As 

great a player as Miss Charles is, the Lady 

Royals are by no means a one-woman 

team. They are quite a complete team with 

seniors Lorin Dixon and Kelly Barrett, as 

Photo by Herbert Delancey 

well as junior Sky Lindsay. Role players on 

the team are junior Aimee Levine, junior 

Nicole Caldera, sophomore Jael Pena, 

Natasha Morgan, and Kera Streat. The 

rematch with Murry Bergtraum in January 

(2006) at Madison Square Garden made a 

very interesting matchup. She is coached 

by Bob Mackey who has a sterling record. 

Coach Mackey has Christ The King’s girls’ 

basketball program in great shape, building 

upon the foundation established by previous 

coach Vince Cazzarino. He is ably assisted 

by Jill Cook and Maureen McHugh. 

Miss Charles has amassed many honors 

during her distinguished high school career 

which includes the following: 

2005 Preseason High School All America, 

Scout/Full Court Press; 

2005 FCP Super Six; 

2005 Street and Smith’s All-America First 

Team; 

2004 Street and Smith’s All-America Fourth 

Team; 

2004 Nike’s All-America Camp; 

2004 Oregon City End of the Trail Co-MVP; 

2004 NYSSWA Class AA All-State First

Team; 

2003 Street and Smith Preseason All- 

American, Honorable Mention; and 

2003 USA Today Sophomore All-American. 

I spoke with Tina. I asked about her current 

scholastic year and the transition she plans 

to make next year when she attends UConn 

and plays for Coach Geno Auriemma. 

BSTM: Why did you choose UConn? 

TC: I chose UConn because of Coach 

Auriemma, he keeps it real. 

BSTM: How has attending and playing for 

Christ The King prepared you for the 

collegiate level? 

TC: It prepares me by having me practice 

and do hard work. 

BSTM: How did you feel when you beat 

Murry Bergtraum in Glens Falls for the 

championship last year? 

TC: It felt great. It gave the seniors a nice 

going-away present. 

BSTM: Are you looking forward to playing 

them in Madison Square Garden in January 

(2006)? 

TC: Yes. 

BSTM: Do you see yourself as a role 

model? 

TC: Yes. 

BSTM: Who is the best player or team that 

you have faced so far? 

TC: Courtney Parris from Oakland, 

California, now attending the University 

of Oklahoma. 

BSTM: Do you have an opportunity to talk 

with your former teammates: 

Carrem Gay and Nakejia Kelly? 

TC: Yes, I talk with them all the time. 

Carrem is like a sister to me and has 

taught me a lot. 

BSTM: How much of a role has Coach 

Mackey played in your development as a 

student athlete? 

TC: He has been great. 

BSTM: Where do you see yourself 3-5 years 

from now? 

TC: Hopefully playing in the WNBA. 

BSTM: You all travel extensively and play a 

demanding schedule. How do you manage 

to balance the schoolwork and other 

responsibilities and pressures that come 

with playing at Christ The King? 

TC: My mother helps me. She is my friend, 

sometimes even like a sister. 

Bob Mackey (Tina’s coach) has put together 

a great program that could likely compete 

with some Division I colleges. He has 

continued the winning ways of Christ The 

King Girls’ Basketball after taking over for 

coach Vinnie Cazzarino. I also spoke with 

him. 

BSTM: What are you most proud of during 

your coaching career? 

BM: Seeing the seniors graduate, and 

this past year seeing nine seniors go to 

college and all but one of them play 

college ball. 

BSTM: How did it feel to have a perfect 

season and win the 2005 New York State 

Federation and National Titles? 

BM: It was a great accomplishment, but 

it is all about the kids, not about wins and 

losses. 

BSTM: Did losing last year’s title game 

serve as a catalyst for this season? 

BM: No, I take each season one at a time. 

Christ The King Girls’ Basketball program 

is in great shape as Coach Bob Mackey 

and the Tina Charles-led Lady Royals 

defend their New York State Federation and 

National titles. 

BSTM February 2006 5 

Photo by Herbert Delancey

The 2005 SBN Sports 

Black College All-American Team 

The American Urban Radio Networks announced the members of the 2005 SBN Sports Black College All-American (BCAA) Team. 

The Team will be honored during the annual BCAA Awards Weekend February 17-18, 2006 in Atlanta , Georgia .Grambling State 

University and Hampton University had four players each selected to the 2005 BCAA Team, while Albany State University, Bethune- 

Cookman College, and Delaware State University had two players each selected. 

Joe Taylor 

Hampton University 

SBN Sports Eddie 

Robinson Coach of the 

Year 

RB - Isaac Redmen 

Ht. 6’0” - Wt. 220 lbs. (So.) 

Bowie State University 

Hometown - Paulsboro, NJ 

All-American Offensive Team 

RB - Alonzo Coleman 

Ht. 5’11” - Wt. 190 lbs. (Jr.) 


Hometown - South Boston, VA 


Taylor guided the Pirates to an undefeated 

regular season, while earning back-to-back 

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 

championships and NCAA playoff 

appearances along the way. The fourth 

winningest active Coach in Division 1-AA, 

Taylor improved his overall record to 181-71-4. 

WR - Kenneth Henderson 

Ht. 5’9” - Wt. 185 lbs. (Sr.) 

Tuskegee University 

Hometown - Chattanooga, TN

OL - Fred Nolan 

Ht. 6’3” - Wt. 300 lbs. (Sr.) 

Bethune-Cookman College 

Hometown - Daytona Beach, FL 

TE - Jonathan Allen 

Ht. 6’5” - Wt. 235 lbs. (Jr.) 

Norfolk St. University 

Hometown - Virginia Beach, VA 

All-American Offensive Team 

OL - Clyde Reed 

Ht. 6’6” - Wt. 275 lbs. (Jr.) 

South Carolina St. University 

Hometown - Plantersville, SC 

Not Shown 

Bruce Eugene 

Grambling State University 

SBN Sports Doug Williams 

Offensive Player of the Year 

Ht. 6’1” - Wt. 260 lbs. (Sr.) 

Hometown - New Orleans, LA 

OL - Ronald Simmons 

Ht. 6’3” - Wt. 275 lbs. (Sr.) 

Albany St. University 

Hometown - Cresent City, FL 

WR - Henry Tolbert 

Ht. 6’0” - Wt. 205 lbs. (Jr.) 

Grambling St. University 

Hometown - Birmingham, AL 

OL - Jonathan Banks 

Ht. 6’8” - Wt. 360 lbs. (Sr.) 


Hometown - Baton Rouge, LA 

OL - Gerrell Golightly 

Ht. 6’3” - Wt. 300 lbs. (Sr.) 


Lancaster, TX 

BSTM Poll Results 

As a General 

Manager, which 

Quarterback 

would you take 

for your team? 

Donovan McNabb 36.4% 

Steve McNair 9.1% 

Michael Vick 27.3% 

Aaron Brooks 3.0% 

Byron Leftwich 12.1% 

Daunte Culpepper 9.1%

Justin Durant 


SBN Sports Mel Blount 

Defensive Player of the 

Year 

Ht. 6’2” - Wt. 235 lbs. (Jr.) 

Hometown - Florence, SC 

DB - Antoine Bethea 

Ht. 5’10” - Wt. 175 lbs. (Sr.) 

Howard University 

Hometown - Newport News, VA 

All-American Defensive Team 

2005 

DB - Marcus Wright 

Ht. 5’11” - Wt. 175 lbs. (Sr.) 

Kentucky St. University 

Hometown - Eminence, KY 


Durant was the captain of a Pirates 

defense that was second in the 

country in scoring defense, third in 

pass defense and sixth in total 

defense. The junior from Florence, 

South Carolina, recorded an MEAC 

season high with 124 tackles 

including 61 solo stops, 15 tackles 

for loss, five sacks, an interception 

and two fumble recoveries. Durant 

was also a repeat finalist for the 

Buch Buchanan Award presented 

annually to the top defensive player 

in 1-AA football. 

DB - Bobbie Williams 

Ht. 6’0” - Wt. 190 lbs. (So) 

Bethune-Cookman College 

Hometown - Miami, FL

DL - Martin Jackson 

Ht. 6’4” - Wt. 250 lbs. (Jr.) 

Alcorn St. University 

Hometown - New Orleans, LA 

LB - Tyler Knight 

Ht. 6’0” - Wt. 210 lbs. (Jr.) 

Miss. Valley St. University 

Hometown - N. Little Rock, AR 

All-American Defensive Team 

DB - Jamar Landrom 

Ht. 6’3” - Wt. 215 lbs. (Sr.) 

Tennessee St. University 

Hometown - Pontiac, MI 

DL - Joe Sykes 

Ht. 6’5” - Wt. 270 lbs. (Sr.) 

Southern University 

Hometown - Grenada, MS 

P - Eric Contos 

Ht. 5’10” - Wt. 175 lbs. (Sr.) 

Delaware St. University 

Hometown - Red Mountain, AZ 

Not Shown 

DL - Jason Hatcher 

Ht. 6’6” - Wt. 285 lbs. (Sr.) 


Hometown - Jena, LA 

DL - Alton Pettway 

Ht. 6’3” - Wt. 255 lbs. (Jr.) 

Albany St. University 

Hometown - Bay Minette, AL 

LB - Sam Smith 

Ht. 6’1” - Wt. 200 lbs. (Sr.) 

Delaware St. University 

Hometown - St. Petersburg, FL 

PK - Andrew Paterini 

Ht. 6’0” - Wt. 205 lbs. (Jr.) 


Hometown - Gladstoe, MO 

Want to 

Advertise in 

BSTM? 

For Ad Rates 

Call 

202-882-9444.

By Leslie Heaphy 

Bill Pickett is a household name in the 

world of Rodeo but outside those circles 

few know his name. Not too many people 

know what bull dogging is or who invented 

it. Bill Pickett is the originator of this 

unusual sport within rodeo circles. After 

watching how dogs took down cattle, 

Pickett decided to give it a try. With his 

horse Spradley, Pickett would ride up 

alongside a longhorn steer, get to the 

steer’s head and twist it to the sky while 

biting its lip as he brought it to the ground 

to gain full control. Bulldogs had been 

seen doing this same thing, and that is 

where the name came from. Today the lip 

biting is gone from the sport because of 

the danger but steer wrestling is still one 

of the most exciting and dangerous events 

at the rodeo. 

Bill Pickett grew up in a family of 13 

children, he was the second oldest. He 

was born December 5, 1870. His parents, 

Thomas Jefferson and Mary Elizabeth 

Virginia Pickett, were former slaves. They 

worked on farms, and Pickett went to work 

to help out after only completing the fifth 

grade. He gave riding and roping 

exhibitions and passed a hat for donations 

in the beginning of his career. What most 

people came to see was his bull-dogging 

technique because it was dangerous and 

unusual to see a man biting a steer. Some 

came just to see if he could escape injury. 

When the family moved to Taylor, Texas, in 

1888, Pickett performed in the town’s 

annual fair. He and his brothers also started 

a horse-breaking business to earn some 

extra cash. Pickett got involved in the 

community as a deacon at the local Baptist 

church, and he joined the national guard. 

In 1890, he married a local lady named 

Maggie Turner and they had nine children. 

With a family this size, Pickett always took 

this into consideration when he took a job. 

He had to think about the pay and how long 

he would be gone. 

Pickett’s skills with a rope and a horse 

became well-known, and he started to travel 

all over to perform in exhibitions. In 1904, 

he took part in the Cheyenne Frontier Days, 

considered America’s most famous rodeo 

at the time. His roping and riding were one 

of the highlights of the event. He did shows 

in the Dakotas, Mexico City, Canada, 

William “Bill” Pickett 

“Bull Doggin” Cowboy 

William “Bill” Pickitt 

Argentina and other places. He was usually 

listed on the posters as “The Dusky Demon” 

or the “Wonderful Colored Cowboy”. In 

1905, he got hired to work for the 101 Ranch 

Show. He worked alongside more wellknown 

cowboys such as Will Rogers and 

Buffalo Bill. After they exhausted all the 

local competitions, the show went on the 

road as a touring rodeo and became 

extremely popular with fans all over the west 

and mid-west. 

In 1907, Pickett became a full-time cowboy 

on the ranch, working for the Miller brothers. 

With the full-time work, he moved his wife 

and family to Oklahoma to join him. Even 

though he had work as a cowboy, he did 

not stop his touring and exhibitions. In 1908, 

Pickett found himself in Mexico City trying 

to take down the fighting bull Frijoli Chiquita. 

Unfortunately, the Mexicans did not take 

kindly to his show and ran his group out of 

town. He eventually retired from the touring 

scene in 1916, and bought his own ranch 

in Oklahoma. 

He often had trouble during his career 

getting the chance to compete in official 

rodeo events because he was black. He 

would sign up as a Cherokee Indian to be 

able to compete. His background included 

Cherokee, white and black ancestry. Given 

this difficulty, it is hard to say what records 

he might have set if he had been able to 

compete regularly. 



His contributions to the sport of rodeo were 

officially recognized in 1971 with his 

selection to the National Rodeo Hall of 

Fame. In 1989, he was inducted into the 

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum. In 

1994, Pickett got further recognition with 

his picture on a postage stamp as part of 

a series called “Legends of the West”. 

Unfortunately, the first run of the stamps 

had to be recalled because the picture they 

used was not of Bill but one of his brothers. 

In 2005, Pickett was immortalized in a wax 

sculpture for the Great Blacks in Wax 

Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Pickett also gained some notoriety as the 

first black cowboy movie star. He starred 

in two movies put on by Richard E. 

Norman. The main film was called “The 

Bull-dogger” and was produced in 1923. 

As it was described in reviews of the time, 

the movie was one of the first to have an 

all-black cast and to show blacks in a 

positive manner. The second movie was 

called “The Crimson Skull”. Unfortunately, 

neither of the films exists any longer. There 

is about a 25 second clip of Pickett 

performing some rope tricks and a few 

billboards and reviews to indicate the 

movies were ever done. 

Today, there is a rodeo named after Bill 

Pickett called the Bill Pickett Invitational 

Rodeo, which has been around since its 

inception in 1984. It now attracts over 

100,000 spectators and competitors each 

year. Under the direction of Lu Vason, the 

rodeo gives black cowboys and cowgirls an 

opportunity to compete but also honors 

legends such as Bill Pickett and others who 

paved the way. There is also an 

international Bill Pickett Rodeo and a riding 

school in Oakland, California, named in his 

honor. 

In 1932, he returned to the 101 Ranch to 

help them out since they had run into some 

tough financial times. While he was 

working there, had an accident (getting 

kicked in the head by a horse) that resulted 

in his death. He is buried in Oklahoma on 

what some people call “Bill Pickett Hill,” with 

a headstone purchased by the Cherokee 

Strip Cow Punchers Association so he 

would not be forgotten.

Isadora 

Rhythmics 

Featuring Shayna Javornicky, former US Senior National Team 

member and current coach, Tracy Agyeman and Bianca La Rosa, 

both current US Junior National Team members (Level 10). 

Ms. Javornicky is a highly decorated gymnast. She began her 

training at the Big Apple Rhythmics in Rego Park, New York, under 

the tutelage of Julie Bulatov. She continued her training under 

current Isadora Rhythmics head coach Natalia Kirienyko in 

Brooklyn, N.Y., which enabled her to become a world-class 

Shayna 

Javornicky 

Gymnastics 

Superstars in 

Rhythmic Gymnastics 

By Herbert Delancey 

gymnast. She was a part of the 2001 World Championship Team, 

the 2001 Gold Medal Pan Am Team and the 2002 Pacific Alliance 

Team. In 2004, she was the bronze medalist in clubs competition 

in Portugal, Spain and at the United States National Championships 

in Nashville, Tennessee. She also has competed at the US Olympic 

trials. One of her crowning achievements was being named 

Rhythmic Sports Person of the Year in 2002 and 2004. Shayna 

has 16 years experience in rhythmic gymnastics. She is currently 

coaching at Isadora Rhythmics and attending college full-time. 



Tracy 

Ageyman 


Isadora Rhythmics 

Bianca 

La Rosa 


I recently spoke with Ms. Javornicky and asked about her rhythmic 

gymnastics experience as well as where she sees the sport in the 

future. 

BSTM: What interested you initially about rhythmic gymnastics? 

SJ: The dance and gymnastics aspect of rhythmic gymnastics 

initially interested me. I started training at age 4. 

BSTM: How did you stay focused to become one of the best 

rhythmic gymnasts in the country if not the world? 

SJ: My love for rhythmic gymnastics has helped me to overcome 

any obstacles in the sport in addition to support from coaches, 

peers and my parents. 

BSTM: How did you make the transition from competitor to coach? 

SJ: I had previous coaching experience from age 13. I still have a 

passion for rhythmic gymnastics in addition to having a long-time 

association with the sport. 

BSTM: What advice do you have for the current rhythmic gymnasts? 

SJ: Never give up, hard work does pay off. 

BSTM: Do you see yourself as a role model? 

SJ: I never saw myself as a role model, but I do acknowledge that 

I can be looked up to. 

BSTM: How do you see the future of rhythmic gymnastics? 

SJ: In rhythmic gymnastics, the rules of the sport allows for all 

around talent for the gymnasts to show their talent. 

BSTM: What is your viewpoint on men’s and boy’s rhythmic 

gymnastics? 

SJ: Japan has a huge rhythmic gymnastics following. It does 

deserve a spotlight. 

BSTM: What are you most proud of, looking back at your career? 

SJ: Making the US National Team, competing in international 

competitions in countries such as Spain. 

BSTM: Where do you see yourself 3-5 years from now? 

SJ: I see myself still coaching, being a successful and happy 

person. I am also grateful to my parents for the sacrifices that they 

made for me. 

Shayna also stressed that perseverance, hard work and 

socialization are essential to one’s success. 

Tracy Ageyman (Level 10) (US Junior National Team member) 

Bianca La Rosa (Level 10) 

Like Shayna Javornicky, Tracy Ageyman began her rhythmic 

gymnastics training under Julie Bulatov at the Big Apple Rhythmics, 

then moving to Isadora Rhythmics where she is currently training. 

Miss Ageyman is currently attending New York City’s prestigious 

La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts (Fame). She is 

also a current member of the U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior 

National Team. She has been on the national team for 2 years. 

Her most recent competitions were at the Pacific Alliance 

Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she placed 14th allaround 

and the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, 

Indiana, where she placed 5th all-around, 4th in rope, 4th in hoop 

and 3rd in clubs. 

Bianca La Rosa began her rhythmic gymnastics training at Nova 

Athletics in Staten Island, N.Y., under Lucy Kerznerman before 

moving to Isadora Rhythmics, where she trains under head coach 

the 2005 Junior Olympics in hoops, 1st in the 2005 Pennsylvania 

State Championships and 2nd place in Region 5 Championships. 

She has achieved Level 10 status in only six years, which shows 

her natural talent as well as her great potential. 

An interesting point of note is that the Isadora Rhythmics Team 

held practices despite a recent transit strike in New York City. 

This shows true determination and dedication which is why the 

program has consistently produced a number of nationally and 

internationally renowned gymnasts. 

I spoke with Miss Ageyman and Miss La Rosa, and asked them to 

describe their respective rhythmic gymnastics experiences. 

BSTM: What first interested you in rhythmic gymnastics? 

TA: Competing in the upcoming events and having to make the 

sport look easy. 

BLR: I was at Nova Athletics and became interested. 

BSTM: When did you first start rhythmic gymnastics? 

TA: I started at age 5. I liked the combination dance and 

gymnastics. 

BLR: Age 8. 

BSTM: How do you stay focused in rhythmic gymnastics? 

TA: Never give up, better things are coming. 

BL: Work hard. 

BSTM: Do you see yourself as a role model? 

TA: Yes, people have told me that I am a role model. 

BL: Yes. 

BSTM: How do you see the state of rhythmic gymnastics? 

TA: Rhythmic gymnastics will start to become more popular. 

BLR: I like it. I would like to make the Olympic Team. 

BSTM: What is your viewpoint on men’s and boy’s rhythmic 

gymnastics? 

TA: Japan has a big rhythmic gymnastics men’s and boy’s 

program. Although they use the same equipment as the women 

they are more acrobatic. 

BLR: I find it interesting. 

BSTM: Looking back at your career so far, what would you be 

most proud of? 

TA: Moving up to the U.S. National Team and getting support from 

Shayna. 

BLR: Getting first place at the Junior Olympics in hoops. 

BSTM: Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? 

TA: I see myself steadily improving and still planning to coach. 

Also, traveling to the training centers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 

as well as Lake Placid, N.Y. 

BLR: Hopefully on the National Team and competing in other 

countries. 

BSTM: How long do you practice? 

TA: I practice 5 hours a day to prepare for competition and 4 hours 

a day regularly. 

BLR: I practice 5 days a week and 4 hours a day. 

BSTM: Is time management important in rhythmic gymnastics? 

TA: Yes it is. I balance school and practice, because my mother 

says that if I don’t keep my grades up that she won’t let me 

participate. 

BLR: It is important because we have very busy schedules. 

BSTM February 2006 13

A Season to Remember 

By Ray Sanchez 

To say coach Don Haskins’ Miners were the 

underdogs at the NCAA Final Four in 1966 

would be putting it mildly. Kentucky had won 

four national championships and Utah one 

while Duke had been a runner-up. All had 

made several trips to the NCAA playoffs. 

The Miners, on the other hand, had been in 

the NCAA playoffs only twice and had never 

advanced past the first round. 

Every sportswriter at the scene picked 

Kentucky to win the championship. The 

tournament is a gathering place for college 

coaches throughout the nation. They, too, 

overwhelmingly picked Kentucky, although 

a few leaned toward Duke. The first game 

matched Kentucky against Duke and the 

general consensus was that it would really 

be the championship contest. 

Kentucky defeated Duke 83-79 and gained 

even more supporters. The Miners beat 

Utah, 85-78, in the other game but it made 

little impact on people’s views. Even Henry 

Iba, who had coached Haskins at 

Oklahoma A&M and thought highly of his 

former pupil, picked Kentucky to win. 

“Coach (Adolph) Rupp has a great shooting 

team,” he explained. 

A capacity crowd of 14,253 crammed into 

Cole Fieldhouse on the University of 

Maryland campus on the night of Saturday, 

March 19, to watch the expected coronation 

of the mighty Wildcats. Not only had 

Kentucky lost only one game all year but 

the Wildcats were coached by a man who 

was then considered the greatest 

basketball mind in the history of the game, 

Adolph Rupp. Few had heard of Haskins. 

But Haskins made a last-minute move that 

was to make a big difference in the game. 

Although Kentucky was a great shooting 

team, it didn’t have much height. In fact, 

the Wildcats were nicknamed “Rupp’s 

Runts.” Haskins decided to start a small 

lineup of his own, replacing 6-foot-8 Nevil 

Shed with 5-foot-6 Willie Worsley. He 

figured such a lineup would be quicker than 

the Wildcats. 

And he was right. From the start, it became 

a battle of speed versus shooting, and after 

5-foot-10 Bobby Joe Hill stole the ball from 

Kentucky guards and went for layups on 

Courtesy: UTEP 

The Final Four was set. It would be University of Kentucky, Duke University, University of Utah and ... who? Texas Western College? 

Who was this commoner among royalty, this pipsqueak of a school from the sticks somewhere in the Southwest? Certainly it was a 

joke. 

— From the book Basketball’s Biggest Upset 


21 Armstrong, Jerry F 6-4 195 Sr. Eagleville, MO 

23 Artis, Orsten G 6-1 175 Sr. Gary, IN 

22 Baudoin, Louis F 6-7 200 Jr. Albuquerque, N.M. 

11 Cager, Willie F 6-5 170 So. New York City, N.Y. 

44 Flournoy, Harry F 6-5 190 Sr. Gary, IN 

14 Hill, Bobby Joe G 5-10 170 Jr. Detroit, MI 

42 Latttin, David C 6-6 240 So. Houston, TX 

31 Myers, Dick F 6-4 185 Jr. Peabody, KS 

15 Palacio, David G 6-2 180 So. El Paso, TX 

25 Railey, Togo G 6-0 175 Jr. El Paso, TX 

33 Shed, Nevil C 6-8 185 Jr. New York City, N.Y. 

24 Worsley, Willie G 5-6 165 So. New York City, N.Y. 


two Kentucky possessions in a row, it was obvious the Wildcats were in trouble. The 

Miners went on to pull the most startling upset in the tournament’s history, 72-65. 

The Miners’ victory was celebrated with cheers, horns and bonfires throughout El Paso 

that night. And the next day, thousands of El Pasoans turned out to greet Haskins’ heroes 

at the El Paso airport. 

The final game also had great social significance. Haskins had started an all-black team, 

the first time any school had started five blacks in the finals. 

The results showed blacks could function as a team as well as individually and opened 

doors for blacks to colleges throughout the South, which was still mostly segregated. 

Wholesale recruiting of blacks began soon thereafter. 

Photo provided by UTEP Athletic Department


1966 Champions Quotebook 

“When he came to the Lakers, Bob 

McAdoo told me how much the game 

meant, how it changed everything, how it 

opened up the world for black kids in the 

South. I guess I never really thought of it 

that way, that we were such a big part of 

history. The loss remains. I’ve never felt 

emptier. It was the worst night of my 

basketball life, but I’m proud to have taken 

part in something that changed so many 

other people’s lives.” — Pat Riley, who 

played for Kentucky in the 1966 title 

game 

“It was more about young guys trying to 

prove who was the better team, not to 

prove who was the better color.” — 

Sophomore guard Willie Worsley 

“I hadn’t thought of it as putting an allblack 

team on the court. I was simply 

playing the best players I had. It’s what I 

had done all year. Then we came home, 

and the hate mail started pouring in. 

Thousands of letters, from all over the 

south.” — Haskins 

Head Coach Don Haskins (right) and 

Assistant Coach Moe Iba (left) 

Photo provided by UTEP Athletic Department 



Players David Lattin #42, Willie Worsely #24, and Nevil Shed #33 

“We used to drink wine in the dorm together because we didn’t have the money to go out. 

We used to play a lot of cards. It was friendship, pure friendship. I don’t remember a 

single instance of race being an issue or a problem among us.” — Sophomore guard 

David Palacio, on the team’s chemistry 

“It was clear from the start that we were quicker than they were.” — Junior guard Bobby 

Joe Hill 

“It wasn’t even as close as the score indicates. At one point we led by 17. Our easiest 

games in that tournament were the first one, against Oklahoma City, and the last one, 

against Kentucky.” — Senior guard Orsten Artis, on the Kentucky game 

“It was one of the finest defensive games we played all season. The boys knew Kentucky 

could shoot exceptionally well and that if they didn’t play a fine defensive game, they 

would wind up second.” — Haskins, on his team’s performance in the championship 

game 

“I remember one of those practices as clear as if it was yesterday. Coach Haskins called 

us together and said we were one of the worst teams he’d ever seen. He said we’d really 

struggle to beat anybody. I kind of leaned out, looked down the line and we did look a little 

puny.” —Junior center Nevil Shed 

“If we play tomorrow like we played tonight, Kentucky will run us right off the floor.” — 

Don Haskins, after Texas Western College beat Utah in the NCAA semifinals 

“We don’t worry about that kind of talk. We played a lot of good teams before we got 

here. We played a lot of teams like ourselves...ones without a name.”— Haskins, 

responding to media who criticized the Miners’ schedule 

“It’s quite a thrill for me, a kind of young punk. It’s great just playing in a game with Mr. 

Rupp, let alone winning it.” — Haskins, after Texas Western College defeated Kentucky 

“We weren’t shooting well and our ball handling wasn’t good. When those two things 

break down, you’re in trouble.” — Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, after Texas Western’s 

72-65 win for the championship 


1966 

Flashback 


College Park, Md.—Texas Western College 

(TWC), tabbed as the underdog, used a 

scurrying defense and a champion’s poise 

to defeat No. 1 ranked University of 

Kentucky 72-65 and win the NCAA national 

collegiate basketball championship here 

Saturday night. 

With 10:18 left in the first half Texas 

Western went ahead of the Wildcats 10-9 

on a free throw by Nevil Shed and never 

trailed again in the game. Following the 

free throw Bobby Joe Hill stole the ball from 

All-American guard Louie Dampier before 

he could get the ball to mid-court and raced 

back for an easy layup. 

Again Kentucky tried to bring the ball down 

court and this time Hill robbed Tommy Kron 

as Willie Worsley worried the 6-foot-5 

senior forward. Again Hill laid the ball up 

for two points and the Miners had a fivepoint 

bulge at 14-9 with the first period 

exactly half gone. It took Kentucky almost 

two minutes to tally its next bucket but it 

took David Lattin only seconds to get loose 

under the basket for a dunker as the Miners 

were off and running from the top-ranked 

Wildcats. Kentucky’s only leads came in 

the first 10 minutes of the game when they 

were in front three times. Their largest lead 

was four points, at 7-3, four minutes deep 

in the game. 

Trophy Presentation 

The El Paso Times 

MINERS—NATIONAL CHAMPS! 

By Rodger McKown, March 20, 1966 

In the second period Kentucky was never 

able to catch the Miners. Their closest 

approach was one point at 39-38 in the first 

three minutes, and again at 50-49 with just 

over 8 minutes to play. Just after that last 

drive the Miners started another surge on a 

jump shot by Hill, a long set shot from the 

corner by Artis, another jumper by Hill and 

a tip-in by big David Lattin to pull away to a 

9-point lead. The biggest margin in the 

game for Coach Don Haskins’ Miners was 

with 3:22 remaining to play when TWC took 

an 11-point edge, 68-57. 

Hill, with 20 points, led three Texas Western 




scorers in double figures. Lattin had 16 and 

Artis followed with 15. Worsley and Cager, 

who came off the bench to give the Miners 

added speed, bucketed eight points each. 

TWC’s rebound advantage was smaller 

than had been expected. The Miners 

collected 35 rebounds to 33 for the 

Wildcats. Lattin took individual honors for 

the Miners with nine, followed by Artis with 

eight. Dampier was top Wildcat off the 

boards, also with nine, and Larry Conley 

had eight. The Miners had been billed 

before the game as the taller of the two 

teams, but actually the Miners were almost 

an inch shorter as an average than 

Kentucky, which measured in at 6-foot-3. 

Haskins went to his smaller guards 

including 5-foot-6 Worsley for the added 

speed to start with the racehorse 

Kentuckians. 

The Miner defense held Kentucky to a 38.6 

field goal average, lowest of the season for 

the Wildcats. Previous season low had 

been 42 percent. Kentucky had an 84.5 

percentage from the free throw line. Texas 

Western scored on 44.9 percent of their 

shots from the floor—three-tenths of a point 

over their 44.6 season average they carried 

into the game—and hit 84 percent from the 

free throw line for one of their better 

performances of the season in that 

department. 

The triumph gave the Miners a final record 

of 28-1 for the season—top mark in major 

college basketball for the nation. 


A Historic 

Victory 


Even though Kentucky was an 

overwhelming favorite to win the 1966 title 

game, West Texas State head coach 

Jimmy Viramontes cautioned the 

prognosticators after witnessing the 

Miners’ 85-78 semifinal win over Utah. 

Viramontes said, “Kentucky can’t play 

Texas Western College (TWC) man for 

man. They have no player who can stay 

with Bobby Joe Hill.” Kentucky was an 

eight-point favorite heading into the 

championship game. 

Don Haskins decided to start three guards 

(Bobby Joe Hill, Orsten Artis and Willie 

Worsley), along with David Lattin and 

Harry Flournoy, to counteract Kentucky’s 

zone and speed. 

Adolph Rupp called his 1965-66 

Kentucky team his finest shooting team 

ever, but the Wildcats shot just 38.6 

percent from the floor in the title game 

compared to 49 percent the rest of the 

season. 

Kentucky’s last lead of the game was 9- 

8 with 12:24 remaining in the first half. 

After the Miners went ahead 10-9, Hill 

stole the ball from the Wildcats’ Tommy 

Kron and drove in for an uncontested 

layup. Hill stole the ball from Louis 

Dampier on the next possession and 

scored again. Hill’s two steals were 

viewed as the turning point of the game 

by Rupp. 

Texas Western’s win marked the third 

time in seven years that the team rated 

third nationally won the title. 

The Miners ranked fifth nationally in 

scoring defense in 1965-66 (62.7 ppg), 

and 10th in scoring margin (+15.2 ppg). 

Texas Western was first in the country in 

rebound percentage (.577). 

An estimated 10,000 fans greeted the 

national champions at the airport when 

they returned to El Paso. The motorcade 

caused a traffic jam, which police said 

was the worst they had seen in El Paso. 

Nine of the 12 players on the 

championship team graduated. 

1966 Champions 

Notebook 

Willie Worsley Cutting the Nets 




Charlie 

Powell 

When most people think about two sport 

athletes Deion Saunders and Bo Jackson 

come to mind. When most people think 

about professional football players who 

boxed Mark Gastineau and Ed “Too Tall” 

Jones jump out. However Ring magazine, 

the authority in the boxing world declared 

him the best boxer to ever come out of 

another sport. His name was Charlie Powell 

and they called him “Mr. Versatility.” He is 

the youngest player to play and start in the 

NFL at 19 years of age. 

It wasn’t until I interviewed Charlie the 

second or third time that he really opened 

my eyes to the realities of America during 

the forties, fifties and sixties. He talked 

about how people of color were forced to 

be self-contained. He talked to me about 

Billy Holiday, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, 

Louis Armstrong, Bill Russell and the other 

black stars of the time. During that era the 

black elite would all stay at the few black 

hotels in town and the friendships that grew 

out of that interaction. When Jackie 

Robinson broke the color barrier in major 

league baseball America was experiencing 

a new kind of growing pain. The intense 

racial pressure and segregation created an 

environment where a new breed of socially 

responsible African-American emerged. 

They led by example and risked their own 

lives to change the face of America. 

Charlie Powell was one of those unsung 

heroes who helped to knock down the 

barriers of racism. He just did what he did 

and he did it with dignity and class, at the 

very highest level. His is the story of a black 

man who maximized every opening and 

then created his own opportunities. The 

oldest boy in a family of nine, six brothers 

and three sisters he led by example. Charlie 

and his brother Art Powell are the only 

brothers inducted in San Diego’s Breitbart 

Hall of Fame. Charlie didn’t break down 

barriers; he knocked them down with his 

determination, persistency, and the pure 

desire to succeed. 

Charlie redefined high school athletics in 

America; he was recruited by the Harlem 

Globetrotters for his basketball skills, hit 

homeruns that made Hall of Famer Ted 

“Mr. Versatility” - The Youngest 

By Reginald Grant Williams jealous and was scouted by the 

Player in NFL History 

NFL during high school. Charlie 

accomplished all of this was during the era 

that saw Jackie Robinson breaking the 

color barrier in professional baseball. He 

was a change agent in a time of blatant 

racism that touched every aspect of 

American life. Although, Charlie talks about 

the time during World War II and while he 

was in high school how pockets of 

integration formed and thrived. At San 

Diego High School, whites, blacks, asians 

and hispanics were all thrown together and 

they were a state powerhouse, in all sports. 

But, racism raised its ugly head and 

segregation seeped into the equation. He 

also vividly describes how a truck pulled up 

to his neighbors’ house, Bobby Yamata, and 

the Japanese family just disappeared. They 

were taken to a Japanese interment camp 

for the duration of World War II. 

Charlie grew up in the Logan Heights area 

of San Diego and was a four sport star. In 

1950 Charlie became the only San Diego 

football player ever selected as the 

California Large-School Player of the Year, 

that was for the entire state. That’s before 

the CIF was formed in 1960. San Francisco 

49ers quarterback Frankie Albert told 

Coach Lawrence “Buck” Shaw that he 

thought Charlie was ready to play in the 

NFL, boy was he right. 

In basketball Charlie was a second-team 

all-league center. He played forward and 

center and was so athletic that he could 

dominate at both ends of the floor. The 

Harlem Globetrotters came to town and 

practically begged his parents to let him 

leave there with them. He was a world class 

athlete long before players were fairly 

compensated for their skills. Charlie was 

6-foot-3, 230 pounds, strong and fast. 

Charlie recalls. “But baseball and track 

were during the same season, so I’d go to 

the track meet, maybe throw the shotput a 

couple of times, and then change in the car 

and go to play baseball. He high jumped 6 

feet and threw the shotput 57 feet 9 -1/4 

inches. That San Diego High School record 

still stands over fifty years later. “And every 

now then and “I’d fill-in and run the relays.” 

He learned to box from some of the best in 

the world at that time. He actually started 



boxing at the age of eleven or twelve. As a 

youngster he would get up early in the 

morning before school and jog down to 

World Champion Archie Moore’s home. He 

would then run and train with the champ, 

go back home, shower, eat a bite and go to 

school. He earned extra food for his family 

during WW II by boxing at the San Diego 

Marine Corp and Naval bases. They would 

take him to the officer’s quarters and he 

would load up on steaks and other things 

to take home. Food and gas were rationed 

so he really made a difference in his family’s 

life. 

As far as baseball goes Charlie was the 

only player folks can remember consistently 

hitting balls out of Balboa Stadium. He once 

hit a home run out of San Diego’s Balboa 

stadium so far that the pros said that it was 

longer that any home run ever hit out of that 

park. This was the same baseball stadium 

that the likes of Hall of Famers Ted Williams 

and Babe Ruth often played in. He was 

drafted by the then St. Louis Browns and 

the summer after high school played for its 

minor league team in Modesto, California. 

But, baseball was too boring and they 

wouldn’t pitch to him, so he went home. 

Because of the segregation Charlie was 

able to meet, befriend and socialize with 

the elite of black society. They all stayed at 

the same black hotels, boarding houses 

and private homes. All of the blacks in 

society, athletes, entertainers and business 

people understood the importance of 

everything they did. It was as if the entire 

race was being lifted on their shoulders. His 

success as a professional athlete opened 

many other doors and allowed him to see 

the world and meet people from all walks 

of life. 

His professional football career began in 

1952 when San Francisco 49er Coach 

Buck Shaw showed up at his home in San 

Diego, contract in hand. His parents had to 

sign the contract and he made a whopping 

$ 10,000.00 that first year. He credited his 

success as a football player and boxer to 

his superior conditioning. As a nineteen 

year old, that first year, right out of high 

school he tore up the league. His chance 

to play came during training camp when 

the starter was injured.

Drawing by Reginald Grant 


In his first game as a professional football player he 

played in Detroit against the then world champion 

Lions. It was a team loaded with several all-pros and 

future Hall of Famer players. Quarterback Bobby 

Layne was sacked ten times for sixty-seven yards in 

losses by a rookie defensive end, Charlie Powell. All 

this before the NFL kept official stats on things like 

sacks. Charlie quickly became a star in the NFL and 

his younger brother Art eventually also played in the 

AFL for the New York Jets. Charlie played seven full 

seasons in the NFL with the 49ers and the Raiders. 

He could have played much longer but he alternated 

his football career with boxing taking a year off here 

and there. 

He played a total of five seasons for the 49ers (1952- 

53 and 1955-57) and two for the Oakland Raiders 

(1960-61). In between those years he boxed and boxed 

well. 

Charlie never fought an amateur fight but fought 56 

professional fights. He started off his boxing career 

with a draw in his first fight. In his next fight he hit his 

opponent so hard that he sent him over the ropes, but 

Charlie broke his right hand. He then reeled off 10 

straight knock-outs. But, as often happens in boxing, 

his managers and promoters got greedy. They moved 

him up in the ranks too fast and he suffered. His fights 

included the likes of the then young Cassus Clay 

before he was Muhammad Ali, and Floyd Patterson. 

Charlie was young and the sleazy elements were all 

around him. 


The highlight of his boxing career happened when he knocked 

out the number 2 ranked boxer in the world Nino Valds of Cuba. 

The fight was nationally televised and Charlie vaulted to a top 4 

world ranking. There was truly a unified world champion in every 

weight class. A rematch was scheduled in Valdes home of Cuba, 

to be promoted by movie star George Raff and Heavy Weight 

Champion Joe Lewis. The fight never came to fruition because 

Castro led the Cuban revolution and Americans were no longer 

allowed to move freely between the two countries. 

If you are ever in San Diego, take a stroll into the San Diego 

Breitbart Hall of Champions in Balboa Park, south of the zoo. 

Look for the Powell brothers, Art and Charlie. They are the only 

inductees who are brothers. Art was a four-time AFL All-Star for 

the New York Jets. Charlie Powell was a true gladiator who 

helped pave the way for blacks and other people of color in the 

world of sports. San Diego has produced some world class 

athletes, Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, Super Bowl 

MVP Terrell Davis, Heisman winners Ricky Williams, Rashaan 

Salaam and others, but Charlie Powell is the best prep athlete 

to ever come out of San Diego. As former world renowned sports 

writer Jack Murphy stated, Charlie Powell was “Mr. Versatility” 

and one of the best athletes he had the pleasure to watch. 

Charlie and his wife Irma reside in the Pasadena suburb of 

Altadena, California. 

Story by Reggie Grant , Author, Teacher, and Sports Consultant. 

He played briefly in the NFL for the NY Jets. 

He can be reached at www.rgrant.com. 

AD

February is Black History month and not so surprisingly there 

is very little that is said about the contributions of African 

Americans in the outdoors or the black experiences of settling 

the west. 

People of color have always been a part of building this great 

country. We had many frontiersmen and women, cowboys, 

mountain men, trappers, traders, scouts and soldiers who 

were trailblazers in the beginning of this nation. For instance, 

many of the free blacks or escaped slaves became premiere 

fur trappers in Canada and the Northwest Territory. Many of 

these facts are documented but never publicized for mass 

consumption or taught in school as part of American History. 

One of the first multicultural expeditions that recently 

celebrated its 200 years was that of Lewis and Clark, with 

York and Sacagawea. York was a good hunter, cook, worker 

and team player and Sacagawea would lead, gathered fruits, 

vegetables, and herbs. She would trade and keep the peace 

with the many Indians they encountered along the way. These 

two people were essential to the survival of the group, but 

unlike the others, they were the only two who didn’t get paid 

money or land for their loyal service on this historical 

expedition. 

One of the most famous black mountain men, fur trappers, 

and adventurer extraordinaire was James P. Beckwourth. 

He was born in Virginia and grew up in St. Louis, where his 

father taught him to hunt; he later picked up the blacksmith 

trade. He soon joined The Rocky Mountain Fur Company, 

which was the beginning of his great adventures. 

In his lifetime, he was a mountain man, fur trapper, War 

Chief for the Crow Indians, and gold prospector. He 

discovered a passage along the Sierra Nevada Range which 

was later named after him, Beckwourth Pass. Pueblo 

Colorado was said to be started by him as a trading post. 

Deadwood Dick was one of the best known cowboys of his 

time. His given name was Nate Love and his striking picture 

is always shown in books of the black cowboys. One out of 

three cowboys was black but you would never know that 

from watching Hollywood westerns. Some of the black 

cowboys, who are documented and photographed, were 

Jesse Stahl, Bulldoggin’ Bill Picket, Charley Willis and Bose 

Ikard. 

Tom Bass became a Kansas City legend who was born in 

Mexico, Mo. Mexico was the hub for the best horses in the 

country and Tom Bass was known for being one of the best 

horse trainers and riders of his time. He started a Kansas 

City Horse show in 1892 which later branched into the World 

Famous American Royal. 

There were women also, for instance Mary Fields also known 

The Original 

Black Outdoorsmen 

by Urban American Outdoors 

Deadwood 

Dick 


as Stage Coach Mary. Mary ran the stage coaches and mail 

routes in Cascade, Tennessee for the U S Mail Service. They 

liked Mary because she was a driven and determined woman 

who would deliver her mail in sleet, snow, or whatever hard 

elements nature had to throw at her. Neither man nor beast 

could stop Mary. She was six feet tall, smoked cigars, carried 

firearms and could hold her own with any man. 

Urban American Outdoors is thankful to these men and 

women, and other unsung pioneers who had a love for the 

outdoors and who quietly contributed to the progress of our 

great nation. Today, we must continue to be involved in the 

forward movement of our country. Our children must be 

taught correctly the past achievements of their ancestors 

and use that knowledge to inspire their future. 

Outdoors has always been a part of American History and 

particular Black History. Outdoors means freedom in a lot of 

instances, and urban youth could benefit from all the great 

free programs available to learn about conservation and the 

world around them. 


Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] 

Alabama A&M University, AL-Alabama-State University, AL-Alcorn State University, MS-Arkansas-Pine Bluff College, AR- 

Grambling State University, LA-Jackson State University, MS-Mississippi Valley State University, MS-Prairie View A&M 

University, TX-Southern University, LA-Texas Southern University, TX 

SWAC Alumni Association Honored Three 

Former Prairie View women’s track coach 

Barbara Jacket, former SWAC president Dr. 

Norris Edney, and USA TODAY reporter 

Roscoe Nance received the SWAC Alumni 

Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award 

during the 6th annual Legends’ Reception 

at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham, Ala. 

Jacket’s teams won eight NAIA outdoor 

championships and two indoor 

championships, eight SWAC cross country 

titles, nine SWAC indoor titles and five 

SWAC outdoor titles during her 26-year 

career from 1965-1991. Her teams also 

won titles in the Association of 

Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) 

and the U.S. Track and Field Federation. 

Jacket was SWAC Coach of the Year 23 

times and NAIA Coach of the Year five 

times. She is a member of the NAIA, Texas 

Women’s and Tuskegee Institute Athletic 

Halls of Fame. 

In 1992, she became the second black 

woman to coach the U.S. Women’s 

Olympic team. She guided Team USA, 

which included Gail Devers, Gwen Torrence 

and Evelyn Ashford, to four gold medals, 

three silver medals and three bronze 

medals at the Barcelona Olympics. It was 

the most medals for any team since the 

1956 Olympics, and the team’s 

performance included a record-setting effort 

in the 400 meters. 

Jacket also served as Athletic Director at 

Prairie View and is currently a member of 

Six Southwestern Athletic Conference 

football players were named to The Sports 

Network 2005 I-AA All-American Teams. 

Grambling State, the 2005 SWAC 

champions, had four players receive postseason 

honors while Mississippi Valley 

State and Alcorn State each had one player 

chosen. First-team honors went to 

Jonathan Banks (Grambling State). 

Grambling State stars Henry Tolbert and 

Jason Hatcher along with Mississippi Valley 

State’s Tyler Knight garnered second-team 

accolades. Bruce Eugene (Grambling 

State) and Martin Jackson (Alcorn State) 

were named to the third team. All six players 

were chosen all-conference earlier this 

season. 

Banks (6-8, 360, Sr., OT, Baton Rouge, LA) 

the school’s faculty. 

Edney was SWAC president from 1975-84 

and has been credited with saving the 

conference from financial ruin. The SWAC 

was facing three lawsuits and was 

$130,000 in the red when he took office. 

He settled all three suits amicably, and the 

conference was $1 million in the black 

when he left office. During Edney’s tenure, 

the SWAC changed its affiliation, moving 

from NAIA and NCAA Division II to NCAA 

Division IAA in football and Division I in all 

other sports. 

Under his leadership, SWAC schools 

regularly played teams from the fledgling 

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 

basketball, a move that enabled member 

institutions from both conferences to meet 

Division I scheduling requirements. 

Edney also served as athletic faculty 

representative at Alcorn State from 1971- 

2000. He received the NAIA Distinguished 

Service Award in 1980 and the Award of 

Merit for serving as chairman of the eligibility 

committee from 1974-78. He retired from 

Alcorn State, where he was Director of the 

Division of Graduate Studies and Arts and 

Sciences and professor of biology. 

Edney and his wife, the former Lillian Clark, 

reside in Natchez, Miss., where he is 

president of the School Board. He is also 

president of the Capital City Classic football 

game, which is played in Jackson, Miss., 

annually and features Jackson State vs. 

Alcorn State. 

Nance has reported on black college 

athletics throughout his 30-year career 

which began at The Enquirer in Columbus, 

Ga. He covered the SWAC for seven years 

for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., 

from 1978-85, a period when its member 

institutions were largely ignored by the 

mainstream media. 

Nance is known for impartial reporting when 

he covered the SWAC. At times, he was 

highly critical of the conference as he 

exposed its shortcomings and miscues. But 

at the same time, he served as a voice for 

SWAC schools and their athletes, who for 

the most part had been voiceless, as he 

told the stories of their accomplishments. 

Nance is credited with coming up with the 

nicknames “The Godfather” for former 

Alcorn State and Southern University 

football coach Marino H. Casem and “The 

Gunslinger” for former Mississippi Valley 

State football coach Archie Cooley. 

@Copyright 2004 swac.org 

For HBCU Conference 

Standings, 

All-Conference Teams, 

& Sports Champions, 

go to 

www.bstmllc.com 

Six SWAC Student-Athletes Garner Football 

All-American Honors 

anchored the line for one of the more potent 

offenses in the country. The Grambling 

State offense was first in the conference in 

scoring offense (44.1 ppg), passing offense 

(371.3 ypg) and total offense (500.7 ypg). 

He was a Sports Network preseason first 

team Division I-AA All-America selection 

and was ranked as the number two Division 

I-AA offensive tackle prospect in the country 

by The Sports Network. 

Knight, the 2005 SWAC Defensive Player 

of the Year, (6-0, 210, Jr., LB from North 

Little Rock, AR), finished the year with 125 

total tackles (43 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss 

and 9.0 sacks. Against Southeastern 

Louisiana he tallied 19 tackles, a forced 

fumble and three quarterback hurries and 

against Alabama State he recorded 16 


stops (five solo), one sack, with two pass 

breakups. 

Tolbert (6-0, 205, Jr., WR, Birmingham, AL) 

concluded his junior campaign with seasonbest 

performance in the 2005 SWAC 

Championship game. He caught 11 passes 

for 184 yards and four touchdowns. The 

final touchdown gave him the school singleseason 

record for TD catches in a season. 

He finished the year with 74 catches for 

1,391 yards and 19 touchdowns while also 

rushing for another touchdown. He 

averaged 18.8 yards per catch and 116.8 

all-purpose yards per game in 2005. 

Hatcher (6-6, 285, Sr., DL, Jena, LA) was a 

key component on the Grambling State 

defensive line. He finished with 71 total 

tackles (49 solo) with 21.5 tackles for loss

and 11.0 sacks. He had one forced fumble, 

16 QB hurries, a pass breakup and a 

blocked kick. He had eight tackles against 

both Jackson State and Southern while 

registering three sacks in the season 

opener against Alabama A&M. 

Eugene (6-1, 260, Sr., QB, New Orleans, 

LA), the 2005 SWAC Offensive Player of 

the Year and named MVP of the 2005 

SWAC Championship Game, completed 

his collegiate career with a run on the NCAA 

The name Walter Payton is one that needs 

no introduction. Walter’s Chicago Bear 

records from 1975 through 1987 are long 

and impressive. While primarily a running 

back, Walter could also surprise defenses 

by throwing the ball as well. 

Born July 25, 1954 in Columbia, 

Mississippi, Walter Payton was the first 

round draft choice by the Chicago Bears in 

1975 out of Jackson State. He ran for 679 

yards his rookie year and at least 1200 

yards in ten out of the next eleven seasons. 

In 1977 he had a career high of 1852 yards 

with his average yards per carry at 5.5. He 

was called Sweetness, but to defenders 

Walter Payton was anything but. He was 

an unstoppable force running with the ball, 

he had great hands as a receiver out of the 

backfield, and he could throw a devastating 

block that would knock defenders out of 

their socks. 

He also seemed to have a sixth sense for 

picking up the blitz. Walter Payton was the 

type of blocker that could lay out a defender 

coming through a hole in the line just like a 

linebacker mowing down a running back. 

Walter’s biggest assets on the field were 

his leg strength and incredible balance. He 

could run over a would-be tackler with the 

force of a freight train. Or he might simply 

hit a defender hard enough to bounce off, 

and around him. He also had a straight arm 

that could take a defender off his feet and 

send him sliding across the turf on his 

facemask. 

Walter always played the game with the 

attitude that if he was going to get hit at the 

end of the play, he was going to dish out a 

little punishment of his own; something to 

make the defender remember him the next 

time they met. Seldom did Walter finish a 

play by running out of bounds. He was 

always looking for that extra yard, and that 

ever-so-slight advantage over his opponent. 

He was the NFL Player of the year and Most 

Valuable Player in both 1977 and 1985. His 

list of accomplishments includes catching 

SWAC 

and conference record books. His 140 

passing touchdowns broke the conference 

and NCAA Division I-AA marks set by 

former MVSU standout Willie Totten (1982- 

85). His 56 TD passes this season tied 

Totten’s 1984 single-season mark. He 

finished the season with a pass efficiency 

rating of 175.24 completing 256-of-456 

passes for 4,408 yards while rushing for 157 

yards and three touchdowns. He passed 

for 618 yards and seven touchdowns 

against Prairie View A&M, while throwing 

for 507 yards and seven touchdowns 

against Texas Southern. 

Jackson (6-4, 250, Jr., DL, New Orleans, 

LA) was the conference leader in sacks with 

11.5 sacks along with 15.0 tackles for loss. 

He forced four fumbles while adding a pass 

breakup. He registered double-digit tackles 

against Langston and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 

He had multiple sacks three times, with two 

against Mississippi Valley State and 

Alabama A&M. @Copyright 2004 swac.org 

SWAC Legend - Walter Payton 

Jackson State University - SWAC and NFL Superstar Running Back - (Born 1954 - 1999) 

492 pass receptions for 4,538 yards and 

15 touchdowns, and passing 34 times for 

331 yards and 8 touchdowns. 

Walter’s historical career as a running back 

helped to establish him as the All-Time 

leader in running and combined net yards. 

Walter contributed 16,726 rushing yards 

with 100 touchdowns during his tenure with 

the bears. He played in nine Pro Bowls, held 

the single game rushing record of 275 yards 

against central division rival — the 

Minnesota Vikings, and ran for over 100 

yards in 77 games. 

While always being the number one target 

of defensive opponents, Walter missed only 

one game in his career — a game in his 

rookie season due to a bruised thigh, and 

he went on to play 186 consecutive games. 

Walter Payton’s physical style of play made 

his durability an incredible 

accomplishment. He missed just one game 

his entire thirteen-year NFL career, which 

can be credited to his fantastic physical 

conditioning and work ethic. He didn’t work 

out with his teammates in the off-season, 

but he always came into training camp in 

better shape than anyone else. He had a 

very disciplined training regiment that 

included running steep hills located near 

his home. No doubt this type of training 

helped develop the leg strength and quick 

burst that helped him break away from 

defenders. 

He finished his career as the all-time 

leading NFL rusher with 16,726 yards on 

3,838 attempts. He had 492 receptions for 

4,538 yards, giving him him a total of 21,803 

combined net yards. He also scored 125 

touchdowns, 110 of which were rushing. He 

was voted MVP in 1977 and again in 1985 

when the Bears won the Super Bowl. He 

was named All-Pro seven times and played 

in the Pro Bowl nine times. He held the 

single-game rushing record of 275 yards 

(Corey Dillon rushed for 278 in 2001) and 

has rushed for 100 yards in a game 77 

times. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in a 

season ten times. He was also named to 

the NFL’s Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Team... 

and the list of accomplishments goes on 

and on. 

In 1998, Walter continued his many 

philanthropic works through his Walter 

Payton Foundation. Through his personal 

involvement and devotion to children’s 

causes he eased the suffering of many of 

our nation’s neediest children. 

The drive and determination Walter 

exhibited in his on-field performances with 

the Chicago Bears continued to serve him 

well in his business career, including his 

Payton Power Equipment Company, the 

premier provider of heavy equipment to 

industrial and construction businesses in 

the Chicago land area and nationally. 

You could make an argument for Walter 

Payton as the greatest player to play the 

game of football, but he was also a great 

person. He played for the love of the game 

and he gave it everything he had every 

Sunday. His premature death left a gaping 

hole on the Bear’s sideline and in the 

broadcast booth, but the great memories 

he has given to all football fans will live 

forever. @Copyright 2004 swac.org 


Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [SIAC] 

Albany State University, GA-Benedict College, SC-Clark Atlanta University, GA-Fort Valley State College, GA-Kentucky State 

University, KY-Lane College, TN-Lemoyne Owen College, TN-Miles College, AL-Morehouse College, GA-Paine College, GA- 

Tuskegee University, AL 

Tuskegee Chooses Slater as New Football Coach 

After careful consideration of the search committee’s top recommendations, the University’s president, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, named 

five-time Division II National Championship coach and former Temple University Offensive Coordinator Willie J. Slater as the new head 

football coach of Tuskegee University. 

“Coach Slater is a proven winner who believes in recruiting hard to find the best players available and coaching them well. He knows 

the importance of teaching players to be the best they can be athletically and in life,” Dr. Payton said. “That, coupled with his winning 

record and spirit, makes him the top selection to lead our Golden Tigers football team.” 

Though the new coach spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia with the Temple Owls under his former University of North Alabama 

coach, he is no stranger to making winners out of Alabama teams. Slater, 49, holds five Division II National Championship rings from 

his work at the University of North Alabama and Troy University. He is also a five-time NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year recipient, and 

has led the Jacksonville State Gamecocks to win the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference title with a 7-1 (8-4 overall) record. In 1993, North 

Alabama had the country’s top rushing offense, gaining 317.5 yards per contest, under his leadership. 

The Coffeeville, Ala., native has coached at Temple University, 2004-2005; Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Ala., 2000-2003; 

the University of North Alabama, Florence, Ala., 1992-1999; the University of West Alabama, Livingston, Ala., 1991-1992; and Troy 

University, Troy, Ala., 1983-1990. 

During a stellar 26-year career of working with programs in Divisions I-A, I-AA and II, Slater has had the pleasure of coaching numerous 

players who have taken those skills to the NFL, playing for teams such as the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Washington 

Redskins and several other teams. 

The new coach and his wife, Patricia, have three children and one grandson. 

Mr. Slater brings a track record of powerful experience as a competent coach and is a man of sterling character. “He and his family are 

welcomed additions to the Tuskegee University family,” Dr. Payton said. @Copyright 2004 thesiac.com 

Danzy Reassigns 

at Stillman 

Theophilus Danzy, the head football coach 

at Stillman College, will be reassigned 

within the Athletic Department for the 

duration of his contract period. He was 

named head football coach at Stillman 

during the fall of 1998. During his sevenyear 

tenure at Stillman he has recorded a 

40-27 record. Danzy finished the 2005 

season with a 6-4 record and has posted 

six consecutive non-losing seasons. 

Danzy’s Tigers posted a better than 

expected 4-5 record in the inaugural 

season. He followed the 1999 season with 

6-3 records in 2000 and 2001. In 2002 

Danzy led Stillman to an 8-2 record. Stillman 

finished the 2002 and 2003 season with 5- 

5 records. 

“He did a tremendous job for Stillman 

working to reinstate football as a major sport 

and recruiting the first team in 1999,” said 

Dr. Curtis Williams, Stillman’s Director of 

Athletics. “Danzy’s commitment to the 

rebuilding process was a major influence 

in bringing some top football talent to the 

program during the first couple of years,” 

Williams continued. 

“I did the job that I was asked to do as the 


head football coach at Stillman. Time engulfs us all and I guess my time is at its end at 

Stillman College,” stated Danzy. “I certainly feel good about the work that I did and I’ll let 

that speak for me as I look to the future.” 

In his new position Danzy will serve as a consultant to the Athletics Director and will work 

on developing the components needed to bring golf to the college as an intercollegiate 

sport. 

All football operational activities will be handled through the Athletics Director until an 

appointment is made. @Copyright 2004 thesiac.com 

SIAC moves to East/West Format for 

Football 

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and its member institutions will move to 

an East/West Division format for football beginning the 2006 football season. With the 

addition of Claflin University, Langston University, and Lincoln University to the conference 

the SIAC will now move to a six (6) team East/West format for football (Claflin University 

currently does not sponsor football). 

EAST WEST 

Albany State University Kentucky State University 

Benedict College Lane College 

Clark Atlanta University Langston University 

Fort Valley State University Lincoln University (MO) 

Morehouse College Miles College 

Tuskegee University Stillman College 

The Format for the East/West Division included considerations to keep the eleven game 

format for scheduling, maximum of two protective dates to account for traditional rivalries 

and Classics, and a consideration for a long term format of at least four (4) years. Under 

the new East/West format each team’s conference schedule will be reduced to eight 

games which includes five (5) interdivisional games and three (3) crossover Conference

SIAC 

SIAC announces 2006 Spring Sports Preseason 

All-Conference and Predicted Order of Finish 

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces the 2006 Spring Sports Preseason All Conference Teams and Predicted 

Order of Finish. 

2006 Preseason SIAC All Conference Tennis Team 

Darrell Foote 

MEN 

Fort Valley St SO 

Rafeael Smith Fort Valley St SR 

Eric Palmer Tuskegee SR 

Andrew Felton Fort Valley St SO 

Abdoul Yessoufou LeMoyne-Owen SR 

Stan Goss Morehouse SR 

Lisa Lacroix 

WOMEN 

Benedict JR 

Tracy Lacroix Benedict SR 

Jill Person Tuskegee JR 

Sherell Carey Tuskegee JR 

Breanna Taylor Fort Valley State JR 

Ayana Heard Tuskegee SO 

divisional games (East plays West); this allows each team three 

optional open dates for non Conference games versus opponents 

outside the Conference, or others within the Conference to make 

up the eleven game schedule. A round robin format was used to 

configure the Crossover game format with a home and home 

rotation occurring before the crossover schedules change. Under 

this plan Eastern Division schools will have only minimal travel 

contact with Lincoln and Langston in the West meaning no team 

from the East will have to travel to both Lincoln and Langston 

during the same season. 

Currently, the SIAC has not added a Conference Championship 

game. However, the Champion of the Conference will be 

determined by the highest winning percentage of conference 

games, head to head competition, record against common 

conference opponents with full Division II membership, scoring 

margin in games played among the teams locked in a tie and 

overall record. The Conference Champion will represent the SIAC 

in the annual Pioneer Bowl unless that team is selected for the 

NCAA Division II Playoffs, in which the conference runner-up 

will be chosen to participate. 

Dr. William E. Lide, SIAC Commissioner stated “this is a big 

step that the Conference is making. The East/West Format will 

allow for our member institutions to play within a region and also 

allows for our two new football members Lincoln and Langston 

University to have a smooth transition into the conference while 

allowing key match ups, traditional rivalries and classics to still 

take place. This East/West Format will also generate new rivalries 

and intense competition between the two sides thus generating 

exciting SIAC football action across the country on a week to 

week basis.” 

The East/West Format will also be considered for adoption for 

the 2006-2007 basketball season and is already in action in many 

of the Spring Sports of the SIAC. Schedules reflecting the SIAC 

football East/West Format are under finalization and will be 

updated on the SIAC website upon completion. @Copyright 2004 

thesiac.com 

2006 Preseason SIAC All Conference Baseball Team 

Catcher Robert Lowe Benedict SO 

First Base Troy Nunnaly Tuskegee JR 

Second Base Gregory Davis Morehouse SO 

Short Stop Curtis Wragg Benedict SR 

Third Base Cleveland Brownly Clark Atlanta JR 

Outfielders Dawan Browning Benedict SO 

Dunte Artis Morehouse SO 

Tyrone Mingle Albany State JR 

Designated Hitter Dawan Browning Benedict SO 

Pitcher Kenneth McGaughy Miles SR 

2006 Preseason SIAC All Conference Softball Team 

Catcher Melissa Seward Kentucky State JR 

First Base Mary Roller Kentucky State JR 

Second Base Verneice Graham Albany State SR 

Short Stop Jessica Insel — Miles JR 

Third Base Jennifer Lohuis Kentucky State SR 

Outfielders Kala Williams Albany State SR 

Sarah Lopez Kentucky State JR 

Lynia Liburd - Benedict JR 

Utility Verneice Graham Albany State SR 

Pitcher Michelle Guerrero Kentucky State SR 

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH 

Men 

TENNIS 

Women 

1. Morehouse College 1. Tuskegee University 

2. Tuskegee University 2. Benedict College 

3. Benedict College 3. Clark Atlanta University 

4. Fort Valley State University 4. Albany State University 

5. LeMoyne-Owen College 5. Fort Valley State University 

6. Lane College 6. LeMoyne-Owen College 

7. Stillman College 7. Stillman College 

8. Lane College 

EAST 

BASEBALL 

WEST 

1. Paine College 1. Miles College 

2. Albany State University 2. Tuskegee University 

3. Morehouse College 3. Stillman College 

4. Benedict College 4. Kentucky State University 

5. Clark Atlanta University 5. LeMoyne-Owen College 


EAST 

SOFTBALL 

WEST 

1. Albany State University 1. Kentucky State University 

2. Benedict College 2. Tuskegee University 

3. Fort Valley State University 3. Miles College 

4. Clark Atlanta University 4. Stillman College 

5. Paine College 5. LeMoyne-Owen College 


@Copyright 2004 thesiac.com 


Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association [CIAA] 

Bowie State University, MD-Elizabeth City State University, NC-Fayetteville State University, NC-Johnson C. Smith University, 

NC-Livingstone College, NC-North Carolina Central University, NC-St. Augustine’s College, NC-St. Paul’s College, VA-Shaw 

University, NC-Virginia State University, VA-Virginia Union University, VA-Winston-Salem State University, NC 

CIAA Welcomes Class of Five into John B. McLendon Hall of 

Fame 

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is proud to announce its 2006 CIAA McLendon Hall of Fame Inductees, who will be 

formally installed at the John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Luncheon during tournament week in Charlotte, NC, on Friday, March 3 at the 

Westin Hotel, 11:00 am. 

Hal Jackson, former sports editor of the Afro-American Newspaper (DC) is being honored for his service to the CIAA Basketball 

Tournament, dating back to its inaugural year at Turner Arena in Washington, DC. Jackson was the radio promoter for the first tournament, 

and also served as announcer while it was in Washington. This former owner of the Washington Bears was one of the first advocates 

for broadcasting black college bowl games on major networks. Jackson has been on the radio since the late 30’s and currently serves 

as host and executive producer of “Sunday Classics” on New York’s 107.5, WBLS. 

Winston-Salem State University’s William “Bill” English will join this class as the CIAA’s single game scoring record holder with 77 

points against Fayetteville State. A member of the WSSU Hall of Fame and two-time All-America selection in 1968 and 1969 and All- 

CIAA and All-NAIA, this high scorer (2,113pts) ranks in WSSU’s history books in categories including scoring, free throws, field goals 

made and rebounding. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Art Shell of Maryland Eastern Shore, led the Oakland Raiders as Head Coach from 1989-1994. Drafted 

from Maryland State-Eastern Shore, Shell had an outstanding career with the Raiders as an offensive tackle from 1968-1982. After his 

playing career, Art became the Raiders’ offensive line coach from 1983-1989. Since 2002, Shell has worked for the National Football 

League supervising all NFL football operations and development. 

Mike Davis, an elite basketball star from Virginia Union University, spent three seasons with the Panthers. As VUU’s all-time leading 

scorer with 2,758 points, Davis received all-conference honors each of his three years and was named the 1969 CIAA Player of the 

Year. He is the second all-time leading scorer in the CIAA, second only to Earl Monroe. 

Sandra Shuler, Women’s Coordinator for North Carolina Central University from 1974-1980 was a pioneer by developing the championship 

format for CIAA volleyball. In 1973 she coordinated NCCU’s transition from women’s sports governed under the Women’s Athletics 

Association to intercollegiate athletics. The following year she organized and coached the first NCCU intercollegiate volleyball team. 

She also did the same for softball at NCCU. She is the author of two books on intercollegiate athletics and has also written a history of 

NCCU’s Physical Education and Recreation Department from 1937-1985. @Copyright 2004 theciaa.com 

Moses Golatt resigns as VUU Women’s 

Head Basketball Coach 

The Virginia Union University Department of Athletics has announced that Moses Golatt, 

the head coach of the VUU women’s basketball team for 14 of the past 16 seasons, has 

resigned due to personal reasons. 

Golatt, 61, who has a 237-186 record, began his VUU coaching career in 1988. He left 

the program after the 1998-99 season, but returned to the helm of the Lady Panthers in 

2001-02. 

VUU Athletic Director Michael Bailey announced that Senior Woman Administrator Queen 

Frazier will become Head of Women’s Basketball Operations and Bryan Underwood will 

become the Lady Panthers’ Interim Head Coach. @Copyright 2004 theciaa.com 

Bowie State Men and Women Finish 

Fourth at UMES Invitational 

The Bowie State Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs Track & Field teams placed fourth in their 

respective divisions at the University of Maryland – Eastern Shore Invitational. Senior 

Robert DeVaul was the highlight of the meet, setting new Bowie State indoor records in 

the High Jump (7’3”) and Long Jump (23’). What makes the high jump record so special 

is that fact that he (DeVaul) is only 5’8” tall. “Robert, or “B” as we like to call him, was just 

feeling it today,” said a very proud BSU Head Coach Marc Harrison. “He told me that he 

would make a statement today and he did!” 

Other highlights for the men include Bruce Owens’ first place finish in the 200 meter 

(22.62) and second place finish in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.89. Harrison says, 

“Owens is learning how to be a college sprinter now and Coach Tee (Teyarnte’ Carter) is 

doing great things with him.” 

Freshman Timberly Bolden performed well in the Long Jump (18’2¼”), placing third overall 


and came in fifth in the High Jump (5’2”). 

Bolden’s long jump distance was a new 

Bowie State record, surpassing Damara 

Parrish’s mark of 18’1” set last season. The 

BSU women’s 4x400 team (Ricci Alleyne, 

Damara Parrish, Jennifer Geter and Sarah 

Clay) placed second in the event with a time 

of 3:58.65. “Our women’s confidence is 

growing … These women are realizing they 

are a force to be reckoned with in every 

event … 2006 will be very interesting,” said 

Harrison. 

Harrison summed up Bowie State efforts 

by saying, “I think we showed the colleges 

in Maryland that we can compete with 

them.” @Copyright 2004 theciaa.com 

Virginia State’s P.J 

Berry named AFCA 

Div II All-American 

P.J. Berry of Virginia State is the return 

specialist on the AFCA Division II Coaches 

All-America Team. Berry finished second 

in the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 

34.4 yards per return, and 33rd in punt 

returns with a 11.9 yard average. @Copyright 

2004 theciaa.com

SIAC 

CIAA 

ABA Maryland NightHawks sign 

Lee Cook 

The ABA (Rockville) Maryland Nighthawks are very pleased to have signed to their roster 

Lee Cook, the 2004-2005 CIAA Player of the Year and Division II First Team All American. 

“This is a huge addition to a team that has been performing extremely well so far this 

season,” stated owner Tom Doyle. 

Last season, playing for Bowie State University, Cook led the team in both scoring and 

rebounding and was one of the main reasons for the team’s success. “At 6’10", Lee is a 

true big man that not only can score and rebound, but run the floor like a guard,” added 

General Manager Rick Matsko. @Copyright 2004 theciaa.com 

AIFL Raleigh Rebels sign Chris Peavy 

The American Indoor Football League (AIFL) Raleigh (N.C.) Rebels, announced the signing 

of five players for the 2006 Season. The Rebels have signed FB/LB Chris Peavy, WR 

Lavel Bailey, OL/DL Issac Mooring, WR/LB Corey Peterson, and kicker Brian Bowers. 

You would be hard pressed to find a player with more credentials than Chris Peavy (6’2", 

255lbs). Chris was an All-American linebacker for Shaw University. He was a runner up 

for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best Division II player in the country (and almost 

unheard of for a defensive player). He was named the CIAA Player of the Year for 2004 

while leading the Shaw Bears to the CIAA Championship and a Pioneer Bowl victory over 

Tuskegee. 

“It is nice to find a player with Chris’ character and immense skill this close to home. I 

think his intensity will be a spark for our squad in 2006,” said Head Coach Steven G. 

Folmar. @Copyright 2004 theciaa.com 

WSSU Names Halcyon M. Blake Head 

Track And Field/Cross Country Coach 

Winston-Salem State University Director of Athletics, Dr. 

Chico Caldwell announced on Tuesday afternoon that 

Halcyon M. Blake has been selected as the Rams’ and Lady 

Rams’ permanent head track and field/cross country coach 

following the duties of departed interim head coach Benny 

Morgan. Blake will begin preparing the Rams and Lady Rams 

for their first season of track and field competition after nearly 

a five-year layoff. 

Winston-Salem State University, who has not fielded a track 

and field team since 2001, will return to the track for their 

first season of competition this spring (2006) as the Rams 

have revived a program that, at one time, fielded one of the 

Halcyon M. Blake 

most talented track and field teams in the nation. The Rams will return to CIAA conference 

track and field competition in the spring as Blake looks to help WSSU capture a track 

and field championship in only their first year of competition. 

The ultra-competitive CIAA, which already possesses several of the nation’s premier 

indoor and outdoor track and field programs in Saint Augustine’s College, North Carolina 

Central University, and Livingstone College, will welcome WSSU into league competition 

this spring. The Rams will bring with them a history of track and field excellence that 

directly mirrors the success of several other great traditions of track and field which 

proliferate the conference. 

Blake comes to WSSU after serving as both the head coach for men’s and women’s 

cross country/track and field teams at Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. She has 

over 24 years of coaching experience. She has coached the Methodist teams to perennial 

runner-up finishes for the past five and a half years in the Mason Dixon and USA South 

Conferences. While there she was named Coach of the Year and has produced over 97 

All-Conference and First-Team studentathlete 

honors. 

Speaking on WSSU’s decision to name 

Blake the Rams’ and Lady Rams’ head 

coach, WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. 

Chico Caldwell had the following comment: 

“After having gone through a national 

search and the interview and selection 

processes, Halcyon Blake has accepted 

the challenge of getting the Track and Field 

program at WSSU off the ground after a 

nearly five-year layoff as we try to return the 

program to the prominence of previous 

years, and as we transition to the NCAA 

Division I level. She is supremely qualified 

and will bring a level of coaching and 

recruiting ability to a program that is 

beginning its re-development stages. 

Despite the infancy of our program we 

expect great things from Coach Blake and 

her program and we are pleased that we 

could bring someone as talented and 

motivated as Halcyon Blake on board as 

we revive the track and field programs, and 

take our cross-country teams to the next 

level.” 

WSSU’s Martin 

Hicks Leads East 

Team In Rushing At 

2006 Cactus Bowl; 

East Falls 49-33 

WSSU’s Martin Hicks led the East team in 

rushing with 76 yards and a touchdown, yet 

the West team, behind the strong arm of 

Wesley Beschorner built up a 33-7 halftime 

lead and cruised to a record-breaking 49- 

33 win over the East Squad in the Sixth 

Annual Cactus Bowl Game at Javelina 

Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M 

University-Kingsville. 

Hicks, a senior running back for the Rams 

capped a five-play, 53-yard drive that 

encompassed 1:58 of playing time with a 

25-yard touchdown run in the early stages 

of the fourth quarter. Hicks was not the only 

CIAA player to impress as North Carolina 

Central’s Tory Ross reeled in a nine-yard 

touchdown pass in the game as well. 

With the win the West improved to 8-4-1 in 

the game and ended a streak of three East 

wins in the last four games. The Cactus 

Bowl game is played every January at 

Javelina Stadium in Kingsville. It is the only 

postseason all-star game which is made 

up of players from Division II schools only. 

Proceeds from the game go to benefit the 

Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. 


Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference [MEAC] 

Bethune Cookman, FL-Coppin StateUniversity, MD-Delaware State University, DL-Florida A&M University, FL-Hampton 

University, VA-Howard University, DC-Maryland Eastern Shore, MD-Morgan State University, MD-Norfolk State University, VA- 

NC A&T State University, NC-SC State University, SC 

Aggies Jeremy Jones Earns Preseason 

Honors 

With the N.C. A&T baseball team still two months away from starting its journey to return 

the NCAA Baseball Tournament, the preseason honors have already started coming in 

for their most accomplished player from a year ago. Junior outfielder Jeremy Jones has 

been named as a candidate for the 2006 Brook Wallace National Player of the Year 

Award. Jones is one of 120 players across the country named to initial watch list. 

Jones has also been named to the 2006 preseason National College Baseball Writers 

Association of America (NCBWA) All-America Third Team. 

Jones batted .402 last season, and broke the school’s single-season record for hits, 

when he became the first Aggie ever to compile more than 80 hits, finishing the season 

with 82. Jones led the MEAC in batting average, hits, doubles (20), runs scored (53) and 

was second in RBI (46) on his way to winning MEAC Player of the Year honors in 2005. 

Jones was also named blackcollegebaseball.com’s Player of the Year as he led the 

Aggies to sites No. 1 ranking on three different occasions during the season. He also led 

the Aggies to their first MEAC Championship since 1993. “I think these are great honors 

for not only Jeremy but for our baseball program, the A&T athletics department and the 

University as a whole,’’ said N.C. A&T baseball coach Keith Shumate. “We’re lucky to 

have a young man like Jeremy playing in an Aggies uniform. He has done nothing but 

represent the name on the jersey with honor.” 

The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semifinalists by late May. Then the selection 

committee will narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals at a 

press conference in Omaha, Neb. The award is dedicated to the memory of former Texas 

Tech shortstop and assistant coach Brook Wallace. © Copyright 2005 meacsports.com 

Hampton’s Golightly Honored 

Hampton University offensive guard Gerell Golightly has been named to the 2005 Division 

I-AA Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team for the second year in a 

row. In addition, he was also chosen as one of seven finalists for the association’s two 

$5,000 postgraduate scholarships. 

A native of Lancaster, Texas, Golightly is currently a senior at Hampton University majoring 

in accounting and carrying a grade average of 3.79 on a 4.0 scale. This year he was also 

named to the District III Academic All-America Team as chosen by members of CoSIDA 

(College Sports Information Directors of America), while a year ago he was inducted into 

Hampton University’s inaugural chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma (National College Athlete 

Honor Society). Golightly has also been recognized on the Dean’s List and the MEAC 

Commissioner’s Academic All-Star Team for three straight seasons. 

On the field, Golightly finished his career having started 35 consecutive games, helping 

the Pirates post a mark of 11-1 as they captured the MEAC championship and an 

appearance in the NCAA playoffs. The MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, he was 

also honored as an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Sports 

Network and the Associated Press. © Copyright 2005 meacsports.com 

Taylor Second For Robinson Award 

Durant’s Third For Buchanan Award 

Hampton’s Head Coach Joe Taylor has finished second in this year’s voting for the Eddie 

Robinson award and linebacker Justin Durant placed third in the voting for the Buck 

Buchanan Award. The Robinson Award is presented annually to the top coach in Division 

I-AA and went to New Hampshire’s Sean McDonnell, while the Buchanan Award which 

goes to the top defensive player went to Cal Poly’s Chad Gocong. 


In his 14 th season at Hampton, Taylor guided 

the Pirates to an undefeated regular season 

at 11-0, earning back-to-back Mid-Eastern 

Athletic Conference (MEAC) 

championships and NCAA playoff 

appearances along the way. The fourth 

winningest active coach in Division I-AA, 

Taylor improved his overall record to 181- 

71-4 and helped the Pirates climb to No.2 

in the country, matching their highest 

ranking ever. 

Durant’s third place finish in the Buchanan 

Award voting solidifies this Florence, South 

Carolina native as one of the top defensive 

players in the country. The 2004 and 2005 

MEAC Defensive Player of the Year led a 

Hampton defensive unit that was second 

in the country in scoring defense (14.0), 

third in pass defense and sixth in total 

defense. He recorded 124 tackles on the 

season, including 61 solo stops, 15 tackles 

for loss, five sacks, an interception and two 

fumble recoveries. In addition, had seven 

games with 10 or more tackles which 

helped garner All-American honors from the 

American Football Coaches Association 

(AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sports 

Network and the Walter Camp Football 

Foundation. © Copyright 2005 meacsports.com 

For HBCU Conference 

Standings, 

All-Conference Teams, 

& Sports Champions, 

go to 

www.bstmllc.com 

KEMBOI SPARKS 

NORFOLK AT VA 

TECH INVITE 

Sophomore David Kemboi was a double 

winner for the Norfolk State track team at 

the Virginia Tech Invitational, capturing the 

mile and 5,000-meter titles. Kemboi, the 

2005 MEAC Cross Country champion and 

a 2005 NCAA Cross Country All-Southeast 

Region performer, won the 5,000 by 37 

seconds over unattached runner-up Joe 

Gibson on Friday. On Saturday, Kemboi 

edged Allen Carr of James Madison to win 

the mile run. 

Kemboi was one of six different NSU men 

to set personal records (PRs) in their 

respective events. Other Spartans who 

turned in PRs included Troy Wilkerson in

MEAC 

the 300 meters, Christopher Walker in the triple jump, Luis Morales in the 60 hurdles 

prelims and Derrick Baker in the 60 prelims. Wilkerson took fifth in the 300, and Walker 

was fifth in the triple jump. Walker was also fifth in the long jump, while Wilkerson and 

Donald Singleton won their sections in the 200 and 400, respectively, on the final day of 

competition. 

The Spartan women turned in a fine effort in the mile run, with Denisha Hudson coming 

in second and Melissa Ifie coming in fourth. The other top-five finish for the Spartan 

women came from junior Imani Moorman, who was fourth in the triple jump. © Copyright 

2005 meacsports.com 

Shell Inducted into Division II Hall of 

Fame 

Donnie Shell, who earned All-America honors at South Carolina State and went on to an 

outstanding career in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is one of 

three players inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame Friday at the Florence Conference 

Center in Florence, Alabama. 

Shell, a standout defensive back and linebacker for the Bulldogs during his collegiate 

career (1970-73), is joined in the 2005 class of inductees by former Valdosta State 

quarterback and later head coach Chris Hatcher and former Pittsburg State running back 

Ronald Moore. The trio was chosen by a 20-member selection committee. 

Shell and Hatcher will become the second inductees from their respective schools into 

the Division II Hall. Harry Carson, a former Shell teammate and a star linebacker with the 

New York Giants, was inducted in 2000. Hatcher joins fellow Valdosta State graduate 

Jessie Tuggle, who was enshrined in 2002. 

During an illustrious career at S.C. State, Shell became the dominant player at his position 

in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, earning All-MEAC and Associated Press and 

Pittsburgh Courier All-America honors as a senior. He signed a free agent contract with 

the Steelers in 1974 and went on to an eleven-year NFL career, which included four 

Super Bowl titles. 

Shell earlier was voted to the Division II Quarter Century Team, the Sheridan Broadcasting 

(SBN) Black College 100-Year Anniversary Team, the Steelers’ All-Time Team and the 

NFL Silver Anniversary Team, and has been enshrined in the South Carolina Athletic Hall 

of Fame, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Hall of Fame, the S.C. State University Athletic Hall of 

Fame and the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame. 

Since 1994, he has served as Director of Player Development with the Carolina Panthers 

in Charlotte, NC. He and his family make their home in Rock Hill, SC. © Copyright 2005 

meacsports.com 

FAMU FALLS TO KANSAS STATE IN 

FIRST ROUND 

The Florida A&M Women’s Volleyball team saw its’ 2005 season come to a bitter end as 

they fell to Kansas State, 3-1, in the first round of the NCAA Division One Championships 

at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. 

FAMU (22-6), was making its’ sixth straight NCAA appearance against Big 12 member 

Kansas State (21-10), and the Lady Rattlers rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win the first 

game, 30-27. But the Wildcats won the next three games, 30-14, 30-27 and 30-28 to 

close out the Lady Rattlers. 

FAMU’S THOMAS 

RUNS PERSONAL 

BEST AT UF 

The Florida A&M Women’s Track team 

posted 13 Top 20 finishes in the University 

of Florida Indoor Invitational at the Stephen 

O’Connell Center in Gainesville. 

Lindsay Thomas, who turned in personal 

bests in Gainesville, ran ninth in the 400 

meters in 58.76, while Shantrice Green 

(8.21) finished ninth in the 55 meter hurdles. 

Ashley Gillis ran 11th in the 55 meter dash 

(7.15) and 16th in the 200 meters (25.59), 

while April McGriff finished 13th in the shot 

put (10.56 meters), ahead of teammate 

Rochonda Grover (9.79 meters), who 

placed 14th. Jeanna Dorcelin ran 15th in 

the 800 meters (2:22.44). © Copyright 2005 

meacsports.com 

RATTLERS GRAB 

EIGHT TOP 10 

FINISHES AT UF 

The Florida A&M Men’s Track team scored 

eight Top 10 finishes at the University of 

Florida Indoor Invitational in the Stephen 

O’Connell Center. 

Both FAMU relay teams did well, as the 

distance medley combo of Brian Griffith, 

Erick Ward, Brandon West and Tim Vidal 

ran second (10:37.88) while the 4x400 

meter “A” team of Stanley Suber, Rod 

Peterson, Stephon James and Omari 

Crawford finished fourth (3:20.14). 

Individually, Suber ran fifth in the 400 meters 

(49.56), followed by James (50.21), in 

eighth; Gerald Christian finished fifth 

(15:49.64) in the 5000 meter run; Chris 

Hargrett ran sixth in the 55 meter dash 

(6.41); Edwisht Olmann finished seventh in 

the triple jump (14.67 meters) and Jermond 

Smith placed eighth in the long jump (6.90 

meters). © Copyright 2005 meacsports.com 

Senior Adriana Kostadinova led FAMU with 21 kills and 14 digs, leaving her six shy of the FAMU career kills mark of 1,569 set by Kim 

Funchess (1985-88). Junior Maria Andonova had 17 kills despite the flu, while senior Jayli Jackson pounded 14 kills and senior 

Andreina Ruiz finished with 12 kills and 15 digs. Rosa Rojas led FAMU with 20 digs, while setter Diana Genkova finished with 57 

assists. 

Rita Liliom had a match-high 23 kills for K-State, with Joy Hamilin adding 20 kills and Sandy Werner finishing the night with 17. 

2005 IN BRIEF: Florida A&M posted its’ seventh straight 20-win season in 2005 and won its’ fifth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 

title, which was its’ sixth in the last seven years. During the season, FAMU went unbeaten in league play, extending its’ regular season 

match win streak against MEAC foes to 81. Head coach Tony Trifonov finished his ninth season at FAMU by reaching the coveted 200win 

plateau on Nov. 26 in a 3-1 win over #24 Long Beach State. © Copyright 2005 meacsports.com 


NASCAR 

Dreams 

By Leslie Heaphy 

An engineer and computer scientist turned 

race car driver is an unusual twist or is it? 

Bill Lester got his start with NASCAR in a 

little bit different fashion than most. He got 

a job with Hewlett-Packard in 1984 after 

graduating from UC-Berkeley with a degree 

in electrical engineering and computer 

science. He started racing while working 

and in 1985 he won Rookie of the Year 

honors for the SCCA Series in the Northern 

California Region. He followed that with 

the SCCA GT-3 Regional Road Racing 

Championship in 1986. He was hooked. 

By 1989 Lester was racing in a variety of 

sports car series to showcase his talent and 

get track time. He did most of his racing 

on the weekends because he still worked 

for Hewlett-Packard. All of his early racing 

came in cars and on the road. That all 

changed in the late 1990s when he quit his 

job to pursue his dream of being a 

professional race car driver. Between 1998 

and 2000 Lester entered three Rolex 24 

Hours of Daytona events to hone his skills. 

He would eventually get his real breaks on 

the NASCAR Oval in the Truck series. 

Lester’s first break came in 1999 with a 

chance to race at Watkins Glen in New 

York. He started in the 24 th position and 

ended up 21 st when the race ended. This 

made him the first African American to 

compete in the NASCAR BGN Series. No 

one had ever really heard of him before and 

it seemed like he came out of nowhere and 

made a big splash. In 2000 he got another 

chance in the NASCAR Craftsmen Truck 

Bill Lester 

Race Car Driver 

Series where he began 31 st and finished 

24 th . These two races got him the chance 

he needed and in 2001 he drove five times 

in the Truck Series and in 2002 he got the 

full time nod. He raced the #8 Dodge Ram 

for Dodge Dealers in 2002 and 2003 

coming in 18 th and 14 th overall. In 2002 he 

was the runner-up for the NASCAR 

Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award and 

in 2003 he finished in the top 10 at the 

Kansas Speedway on the 5 th of July. He 

also had 15 top-20 finishes out of the 23 

races he started. 

In 2004 Lester made the switch to Toyota 

and drove the #22 Toyota Tundra. He also 

started to get some outside recognition for 

what he was accomplishing as the only 

African American on the circuit. He got to 

film his first TV commercial and got his 

picture on the front of Honey Nut Cheerios 

as one of General Mills new sponsors. He 

also found himself on the cover of Black 

Enterprise Magazine. In 2003 Lester 

worked as a driver analyst for a Fox Sports 

show called “Around the Track.” As a result 

of seven top 10 starts in 2004 Lester got 

the chance to return as the #22 driver for 

the 2005 Craftsmen Truck Series. In 

October 2005 Lester made his 100 th start 

in the Truck Series since his debut in April 

2000. He also became the 1 st African 

American to top $1 million in career 

earnings in NASCAR history in early 2005. 

He had one top-five finish and four top-10 

finishes in those races. 

Of course, not all his races have turned out 

as Lester and his team would like. In one 

2003 race when they were running 10 th the 

front suspension failed. At the Richmond 

International Raceway in September 2003, 

Lester’s race ended with a crash into the 

wall between the third and fourth turns on 

the track. A flat tire and chassis difficulties 

ended another race early for Lester and his 

crew. All these troubles just show how 

racing is difficult. It is not just the tracks 

and the weather or even the other drivers 

but the car or truck is always the biggest 

unknown. The best planning and strategy 

can go for naught when a tire is blown or 

the suspension weakens. At the same time 

a problem did not always mean the race 

was over. In another race Lester spun out 

on the first lap but regained control and 

went on to finish 12 th in the race. On 


Motor Sports 

another occasion when a ball joint came 

loose the pit stop allowed them to fix the 

problem and he finished that race in the top 

20. 

A lot of racing depends on your vehicle’s 

start position as well. That can deeply affect 

the strategy taken. Starting at the pole is a 

good thing and Lester has done that on a 

few occasions as his record has improved. 

His first pole start came in 2003. For 

example, in 2002 his average start was 13.2 

and finish was 20.6. The team’s average 

start in 2003 had dropped to 12.8 and the 

finish to 15.4. They also increased the 

percentage of laps completed to 98 percent. 

The other thing that impacts on a race is 

the team and crew working on the vehicle. 

Lester has been blessed over the years with 

solid crews and sponsors who all have a 

desire to win. His decision to join Toyota 

brought him in the fold of Bill Davis racing 

and his commitment to winning made all 

the difference for Lester’s racing career. 

Outside of racing Lester lives in Atlanta, 

Georgia with his wife Cheryl and their son 

Alex. Alex joined their family with his birth 

in March 2003. As often as they can his 

family makes the trip to watch him race. 

When Lester made the decision to take up 

racing full-time he had discussed the idea 

with Cheryl before making the commitment 

since this would affect the whole family. 

Lester, born 6 February 1961 in Washington 

D. C., spent many years in San Francisco, 

California, before moving to Georgia. His 

home race track is the California Speedway 

where friends and family can watch him 

race. For many years Lester also taught 

lessons as a high performance driving 

instructor during the off-season. This also 

allowed him to keep his own skills sharp. 

In 2000 Lester received an invitation to join 

the new NASCAR Diversity Council to work 

on improving racial diversity in NASCAR. 

Lester got involved with racing growing up 

with a dad who took him to his first race at 

age 8. He knew early on that he wanted to 

be involved in racing. He looked up to two 

racers as his inspirations—Willy Ribbs and 

Ayrton Senna. His first competitive race 

came at age 24. After getting that thrill of 

speed and competition he was well and 

truly hooked.

The GAME - Black Sports The Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?