UNDER THE BANNER
What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
OLIVER OLYMPIC QUALIIFIER: Howard
University senior 110-meter hurdler David
Oliver has qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials which will be held
in Sacramento, Ca., on July 18. Oliver clocked in at a time
of 13.55 in the 110-meter hurdles to capture first place at the
Georgia Tech Invitational this past weekend. It was a personal
best for Oliver, a two-time All-American and school and
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record holder in the event.
His previous best was 13.81. "It was the best feeling I have every felt," said an excited
Oliver. "After the race, I was on Cloud Nine trying to soak
everything in." Added Howard track and field coach
Michael Merritt, "David has competed against much better
competition this season and it has certainly helped improve
his times. And I think last year's success has also played a
role in his confidence and preparation." Oliver, who earned
All-American honors in last year's NCAA Outdoor
championships and Indoors this year, will compete in the NCAA
East Regionals on May 28-29 in Gainesville, Fl. He becomes
the first Olympic qualifier for Howard in 16 years.
SHARPE TURN: Record-breaking tight end Shannon Sharpe, a former three-time SIAC player of the year at Savannah State, has decided to end his football playing career to take a job replacing Deion Sanders on CBS's "The NFL Today" pregame show. Sharpe, 35, announced last month that he would return to the Denver Broncos for his 15th season but apparently changed his mind after the network offered him Sanders' spot opposite Jim Nantz, Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino on the popular show. Sanders, who had collected $1 million in the final year of his deal, recently turned down the network's offer of $1.3 million to continue on the show. Sharpe, who was scheduled to make $760,000 with the Broncos this year will earn between $800,00 and $900,000 annually from the network over the next three seasons. "Shannon Sharpe has a great opportunity in television and I know he will be a great success because of his intelligence, attitude, preparation and perseverance," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. "He has always been outstanding on and off the football field, and he'll be a great addition to CBS." Sharpe is one of the most outspoken and loquacious players in the league and has also been one of its best on the field. He owns all-time NFL records for tight ends in receptions (815), reception yardage (10,060) and touchdowns (62) and has three Super Bowl rings, two with Denver and another with Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer was again outstanding last season, getting 62 receptions for 770 yards and eight touchdowns, second only to Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez in the AFC.
VSU PREZ TO D-2 COUNCIL: Eddie N. Moore, president of
Virginia State University since 1993, has been elected
to serve on the NCAA Division II Presidents Council.
Moore's term began with the Council's April meeting in
Indianapolis. Before becoming Virginia State's 12th president, he
served as treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moore
began his career in the private sector in 1971 with Gulf Oil
Corporation. During his 14-year tenure with Gulf Oil, he rose
to direct major components of the corporation's accounting
and budgeting functions. He entered the public sector in 1985
as the assistant comptroller for accounting and reporting for
the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1988, he was selected
to serve concurrently as the university comptroller for
the College of William and Mary and the treasurer of its
endowment association. In 1990, Moore was appointed state
treasurer.
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.