BCSP Notes . . .

In a release from the school, Brown is said to have "violated several provisions of his employment agreement with the university to include failure to cooperate with the university's investigations into Title XI issues." No clarification of that statement has been made or issued by the school. Brown nor his attorney has responded.

Brown took over this year after the departure of Ben Betts and led the Bulldogs to a 13-18 overall record and 10-8 conference mark. They were the fourth seeded team in the MEAC Tournament and loss a quarterfinal game to Morgan State. Brown had missed three games during the season while handling what the school termed "family issues." He returned to the bench and finished out the season.

A South Carolina newspaper later reported that Brown had been investigated for an inappropriate relationship with a female student trainer on the team. That issue was resolved when the student signed an affidavit saying the relationship between them was "professional" and "proper."

Barlow in, Coe out at Alabama State
Alabama State announced last week that former standout player and assistant coach Reggie Barlow has been appointed interim head football coach replacing Charles Coe who resigned last week after four years at the helm of the Hornets' program to become an assistant coach (wide receivers) for the NFL's Oakland Raiders.

Barlow, 34, joined the ASU staff in 2005 after a eight-year NFL career which included stops in Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Oakland. He was a fourth round NFL Draft choice of the Jaguars in 1996. As quarterbacks coach at ASU, he was mentor and tutor to former ASU and current NFL starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Barlow also served a fellowship with the Minnesota Vikings' coaching staff.

"Coach Barlow is an outstanding young coach," ASU Athletic Director Dr. Joe A. Lee said. "He has played for some of the best coaches in America. He understands what it takes to win, and his love for ASU is unmatched."

Barlow holds the school's all-time records with 133 receptions for 2,596 yards, which is 10th in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) history. He also holds the schools single-season record for receiving yards and has the SWAC's best single-season average in punt returns. He scored 17 career touchdowns and caught at least one pass in 36 of 41 games played, including the last 24. After his senior season, Barlow played in the Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star game.

"This is a dream opportunity for me," Barlow said. "Alabama State gave me the chance to earn an education and pursue my dream of playing professional football. For me, coaching at Alabama State is the ultimate. I thank Coach Coe for bringing me on board two years ago," Barlow continued. "I spent a lot of time just hanging around the team and talking football. I have a great passion for the game, for 'Bama State and for this community. I can't wait to hit the field."

Freeman to lead Morehouse football
Morehouse has announced the hiring of Rich Freeman as the new head coach of the Maroon Tiger football team.

Freeman comes to Morehouse from fellow SIAC member Lane where he served for two seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Primarily a defensive specialist, Freeman has had coaching stints at Tennessee State, Alabama State, Concordia and Miles.

A native of Atlanta, Freeman is a 1997 graduate of Tennessee State, with a B.A. in physical education and recreation. Freeman was a team captain and standout linebacker for the Tigers.

Freeman replaces Terry Beauford who resigned as the Morehouse head coach after two seasons, with a record of 6-15.

"We are happy to have Rich Freeman here at Morehouse and we expect our football program to make steady progress under his leadership," Director of Athletics Andre Pattillo said. "Rich is an outstanding individual with excellent coaching credentials, which should greatly benefit our players."

Sweet 16, All-time NAIA Tourney Players
Six former black college players are among a list of 16 of the best players in the history of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Basketball Tournament, the longest-running college basketball tournament in the nation which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year. The Tournament has been held in Kansas City, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla., over its long history. Central Missouri won the inaugural 1937 tournament in Kansas City and received the Naismith Trophy, the only trophy that was officially authorized by the inventor of basketball. The Kansas City Star's Randy Covitz selected the all-time tournament team. They are:

Dick Barnett, Tennessee A&I (now Tenn. State)
Barnett, a left-handed shooting guard, led the Tigers to three championships during 1957-59. Barnett averaged 35.3 points per game in the 1959 tournament. He played in a record 18 national tournament games, and his 451 points (25.1 average) rank third all-time. Barnett, a first-round pick of the NBA's Syracuse Nationals, played on the New York Knicks' 1970 and 1973 NBA champions.

John "Rabbit" Barnhill, Tennessee A&I State (now Tenn. State)
Barnhill was Barnett's running mate on coach John McLendon's "Whiz Kids" who won three national championships. He averaged 13.8 points in 17 career tournament games and was chosen for the 1958 all-tournament team. Barnhill played seven seasons in the NBA and three in the ABA.

Zelmo Beaty, Prairie View A&M
The Big Z was the tournament's most valuable player in 1962 as the Panthers won the championship. Beaty's 96 rebounds are still a tournament record. A first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Hawks, he spent seven seasons in the NBA and five in the ABA.

Joe Pace, Coppin State
Pace dominated the 1976 tournament won by Coppin State. He earned MVP honors after leading all players in scoring, 30.2 points per game, and in rebounding, 13.8. His top game was a 43-point performance against Henderson (Ark.) State.

Willis Reed, Grambling
Before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the New York Knicks, Reed, a 6-10 center, led Grambling to the 1961 NAIA championship and was on the all-tournament team three times.

Travis "Machine Gun" Grant, Kentucky State
Grant, a smooth 6-8 forward, led the Thorobreds to three championships during 1970-72. Grant owns tournament records for most career points, 518; per-game average, 34.5; most points in a single tournament, 213 in 1972; and most points in a game, 60 against Minot (N.D.) State in 1972. Grant was the 13th overall pick in the 1972 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers..

The other selectees were: high-scoring and flashy guard Lloyd "World" B. Free of 1973 champion Guilford, Ben Hunt of 2006 championTexas Wesleyan, big Lucious Jackson of Pan American who led the Broncos to the 1963 championship and '64 final game, Darryl Jones of 1967 titleist St. Benedicts (now Benedictine), Zach Moss who led Mountain State to the 2004 title,1984 Tourney MVP Terry Porter of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, tourney top scorer Dennis Rodman of SE Oklahoma State, Jack Sikma of Illinois Wesleyan,1957 Tourney MVP Jim Spivey of SE Oklahoma and high-scoring Al Tucker of Oklahoma Baptist.

© 2007 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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