UNDER THE BANNER
What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
REESE, STAFF OUT AT TSU: Tennessee State head football coach James Reese was notified of his
firing and that
of five of his staff members Saturday after his Blue Tigers' team
closed out the season with a 30-13 loss to Murray State. Reese, whose
squad finished 4-7 this season, met with TSU President
Dr. James Hefner and Athletic Director
Teresa Phillips after the game with Phillips making the decision
official just before midnight. ''He's been a part of this program as
a student-athlete, an assistant coach, an offensive coordinator and a head coach,'' Phillips told
The Tennessean said just before midnight Saturday. ''He's
brought nothing but loyalty, a high work ethic and love for
the student-athletes. We thank him for all those efforts. In
the end, though, we felt the time had come to look in a
new direction. We weren't getting the movement with the
program that we need or expect.'' Reese posted a 24-33
record in five years at TSU after taking over from
L. C. Cole. The five coaches that were also not retained are offensive
coordinator Anthony Owens, offensive line coach
Harry Galbreath, defensive ends coach/coordinator of
football administration Dwayne Thomas, defensive tackles
coach Eric Mathies and safeties coach/recruiting coordinator
Tony Turner.
UDC CANCELS M/W HOOPS: Citing concerns over the
recruitment, academic eligibility and financial 
aid provided to
several players on the men's and women's basketball team,
University of the District of Columbia
President Dr. William L. Pollard announced Thursday that the university
has cancelled both the men's and women's basketball programs for the 2004-2005
season. The move is part of the University's ongoing internal investigation into
the operations of the NCAA Division II institution's intercollegiate athletics
program. In announcing his decision, Dr. Pollard emphasized that all
contractual obligations made by the University with both students
and staff will be honored, but stated that the decision to
cancel both programs for this season reflected a decision "to take
the high road under difficult conditions. This is a painful
decision to make in the life of the University, "said Dr.
Pollard. "But our internal investigation leads me to look not only
at the future of intercollegiate athletics, but also the future
of the University as a whole. This is the best course of
action available to the University. We do not make this
decision lightly, but this is the right thing to do." The
University's men's basketball team finished the 2002-2003 season with
a record of 18-9 and a berth in the NCAA Div. II East
Regional Tournament. The women's basketball team finished
last season with a 13-14 record. The University is continuing
its investigation into possible violations of NCAA
regulations. Due to the privacy rights of individuals involved, the
University is unable to release the names of those involved.
SC STATE OUT OF PALMETTO: South Carolina State has announced that it will not participate in the 2005 Palmetto City Classic football game against Benedict. In a press release, SCSU acknowledges the social success of the game and said it "has been instrumental in creating stronger community ties, as well as providing a forum to showcase African-American talent." But, the school says, the game "has not provided the same impact on other areas that would ultimately benefit the university." Bulldogs Athletics Director Charlene Johnson said, "This decision is based on what is in the best interest of South Carolina State University." SCSU president Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., is quoted as saying the financial return from the game "has not met expectations." He also said the contest against Division II Benedict does not help State's attempt to get into the Division IAA playoffs.
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.