UNDER THE BANNER
What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
BROWN TAKES OVER AT AAMU: After filling the position a year ago, Kentucky State University is
now searching
again for a head women's volleyball coach. Nedra
Brown, who came to KSU after a seven-year stint
at LeMoyne-Owen, is leaving the Thorobrettes to take over the
program at Alabama A&M. In just one season, Brown's team
went 18-15 overall and finished 10-0 in the
SIAC Western Division. The Thorobrettes lost to
Paine, defeated Tuskegee, then were eliminated by
Benedict in the 2006 SIAC Volleyball Tournament. "I depart with mixed emotions," said Brown.
"The kindness displayed by the institution has been
overwhelming. I have enjoyed my time here." Brown will
succeed Betty Austin, who gave up the volleyball coaching job
at A&M in March after being named permanent athletic
director. Austin had served as interim athletics director
since March 2006. Austin leaves some big shoes to fill. During
her 30-year tenure, all at her alma mater, Austin's teams
were 604-235 making her only the 12th Division I coach in
the history of the sport to reach 600 career wins. Austin's
teams had won six of the last seven SWAC volleyball
championships. "We wish Coach Brown much success as she
continues her career at Alabama A&M," said KSU
Athletics Director Derita Ratcliffe. "Though her time at KSU
was brief, her bright smile will be missed."
NEW SOCCER COACH AT HU: Howard University has named Joseph Okoh as its new men's soccer coach. The new coach comes to the Bison from NCAA Division II Shepherd University. At Shepherd, Okoh led the Rams to their first ever national ranking, ending the 2004 season ranked 24th in the nation. Since the 2003 season, under his leadership the Rams had three consecutive winning seasons peaking with an 11-5-4 record in 2004. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Okoh had coaching stints on the high school level in the DC area, coaching both boys and girls at Potomac, Bishop O'Connell, Wakefield and T.C. Williams High Schools. Okoh also played on the professional level with the Colorado Foxes, receiving first team all-league honors on three occasions. Okoh's son, Michael, is a member of the Bison squad. He will replace longtime Bison head coach Keith Tucker who had held the position since 1980. The Bison finished 3-13-1 in the 2007-08 season.
ALL-ARENA LEAGUE: Former Kentucky State
and current Dallas Desperados offensive lineman
Devin 
Wyman and former Norfolk State
and current San Jose Sabercats wide
receiver James Roe were both named to the 2007 All-Arena
League teams. Wyman was named to the first team, a recognition that
puts him in the running for Lineman of the Year. The award was to
be announced on on Tuesday, July 3. Wyman is in his fifth
AFL season and was part of an offensive line that only allowed
four sacks this season and enabled Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel to throw for
107 touchdowns. Wyman and the Dallas Desperados will
continue their season in the AFL Playoffs as they host a game
in the Divisional Round on Saturday, July 7, at 8:00 p.m.
ET (7:00 p.m. Local) on ESPN. Roe, in his eighth AFL
season, had 1,560 receiving yards and hauled in 40 TD passes for
the SaberCats. The team's career leader in receptions,
receiving yards, scoring and TDs scored, Roe enjoyed his third
straight 1,000-yard receiving season, and fourth overall.
Wyman and Roe were both drafted in the sixth round of the
1996 NFL Draft, Roe by the Baltimore Ravens and Wyman by
the New England Patriots.
© 2007 Azeez Communications, Inc.