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Inside
Hotlanta and The SIAC
September 2, 2002
by Hal Lamar
Onnidan Online Columnist
VOWELS AS NEW SWAC COMMISH
A "DONE DEAL" ?
Sources reaching INSIDE say that the SWAC Council of Presidents has
unanimously picked Robert Vowels as their next commissioner. Vowels,
currently Commish of the SIAC, was seen at the CAU-Tuskegee game and
only smiled sheepishly when kidded about his nomination by this reporter.
But the source says that Vowels selection is a " done deal."
Will he leave the SIAC where has domiciled since 2000 and jump ship
for Birmingham?
Consider this. Vowels came from a major college (Duke) and was assistant
Commissioner for the Big 10 before succeeding the ailing Wallace Jackson
as only the SIAC's second full-time commissioner. What do you think?
- Morris Brown's head football coach Solomon Brannen gave strong hints
that he is on the verge of quitting. Speaking to INSIDE following
the team's disappointing 16-10 loss to Delaware State last Saturday,
Brannen said he is feeling frustrated over not getting the kind of
administrative cooperation he feels he needs to grow the program.
He also said he won't wait until the season concludes before making
a decision. " I'm gonna talk it over with my wife first to just see
where I go from here," he said..Incidentally, the win by the Hornets
was their first season opening victory since they smashed Cheyney
University 51-10 back in 1997.
Morris Brown's troubles which are probably contributing to Brannen's
own attitude about the school (and he is an alum) is their lack of
money. I have hesitated making this public in hopes that the problem
might eventually straighten itself out but it seems to have gotten
worse. The school is apparently in such financial dire straits, it
has been forced to turn its working press box into "sky" boxes
they rent out . Reporters who try and cover the game have been relegated
to an open shed-like structure underneath the press box exposed to
the wind and other elements. Lack of electrical outlets, no phones
and an SID (who doubles as baseball coach) forced to commute between
floors to pass information and stats, makes attempts at coverage quite
a challenge and one several scribes muttered they would no longer
tolerate unless things change.
- The head coaching debut of Anthony Jones at Alabama A&M was spoiled
by a 4th quarter field goal that gave Jacksonsville State a 20-17
victory Saturday . Jones is the former head coach of Atlanta's Morehouse
College and accepted his new post following last season's 8-2 mark
with the Maroon Tigers. The Bulldogs, looking to improve from last
season's 4-7 record which included an embarrassing 16-13 overtime
homecoming loss to Morris Brown, built up a 17-0 lead through the
3rd quarter before Jacksonville scored . The Gamecocks then went on
to score twice in the fourth period which included a field goal in
the opening moments of the fourth period to seal the win.
- Denzel Washington and wife were in Macon to watch their Morehouse
freshman son John David in his first game with the Maroon Tigers.
Unfortunately, they didn't get to see much of his running back skill
or much of a game as the Tigers were shut down 23-0 by Fort Valley.
One of the heroes of the lopsided contest was Duron Cronson which
is déjà vu for the running back who's run from scrimmage last year
broke a 27-27 deadlock in the second overtime period and gave Fort
Valley a 33-27 victory over the Maroon Tigers.
- Stillman College, hoping to soon become the next member of the SIAC,
won its season opener Saturday afternoon 49-7 over Columbia South
Carolina's Allen University. Mentioning Stillman also makes me ponder
what was ever decided about the Stillman-Morehouse game last year
that was left hanging after it was stopped during a lightning storm
with Morehouse leading.
- The MEAC officiating crew that called the MBC-Delaware State game
Saturday included a lady who was the crew's line judge. Fans were
so caught up in the game (or whatever) that they didn't notice Annice
Canady and I doubt any of them were aware that her appearance made
history by becing the first of her gender to officiate football at
the Division 1AA level.
According to MEAC Supervisor of officials Johnny Grier, Canady is
ready to do the job. She is also razor strap tough. This "sistah"
is a three-time cancer survivor. So having to deal with loud barking
coaches will be a breeze for her!
Got an item or comment?
Contact Hal at lamar95@bellsouth.net
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