UNDER THE BANNER
What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
SOUTHERN NAMES GRANT: Southern University
named Central State coach Michael Grant
Monday as its new head basketball coach pending final
approval by the SU Board of Supervisors. Grant, 40, who has posted a 126-94 record
in seven seasons at CSU, was 23-11 this past season and has three 20-win
seasons during his tenure. He replaces Ben Jobe
who retired after two seasons in his second stint leading
the Jaguars. Grant is a graduate of Malone College where he also began
his coaching career. He later was an assistant at the University of
Michigan while his brother, Gary, now on the NBA Portland
Trailblazers roster, was on the squad. Among other stops, Grant
has also served as an assistant at Cleveland State (1994-96)
and Kentucky State (1989-94).OVERDUE HONOREES: Former Southwestern Athletic Conference player and coaching standouts Willie Richardson and Marino Casem will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in ceremonies held in South Bend, Indiana August 8-9, 2003. Richardson, a wide receiver (1959-62), joins Walter Payton in the College Football Hall of Fame from Jackson State. In 1962, he shattered the single-season NCAA record for receiving yards while leading the nation with 1,229 yards. A first Team All-American, he was named MVP in both the North-South All-Star game and the All-American Bowl. For four straight seasons, Richardson led the conference in receiving, earned All-SWAC recognition and was ranked in the top 15 nationally in pass receptions. Among the numerous school records he set, his 3,616 yards and 36 TD receptions still top each category. Following his graduation in 1963, Richardson went on to play nine seasons with the Baltimore Colts, was named to the Pro Bowl twice and started in Super Bowl III. Casem, the "Godfather" is regarded as one of college football's coaching greats and premier athletic administrators. After a short stint at Alabama State (1963), Casem came to national prominence as the head coach at Alcorn State. For 22 years, he roamed the sidelines for the Braves, winning seven SWAC titles and seven Black College National Championships. In 1984, Casem guided Alcorn State to a perfect 9-0 regular season making his team the first in SWAC history to finish the year ranked #1 in the NCAA. Alcorn State's winningest all-time coach, Casem was named Black College National Coach of the Year and SWAC Coach of the Year seven times. Following three final seasons at the helm of Southern University, his 160 victories ranked him fifth on the active coaches list. In addition to leading Alcorn State to unprecedented football heights, Casem served as their director of athletics for 20 years, a position he also held at Southern. His influence on athletics has led to a number of honors including induction into the SWAC Hall of Fame, Alcorn State Hall of Honor, Mississippi Sport Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation Outstanding Contribution and the Amateur Football Award and the Football Writers Association Citation of Honor.
ON THE TEE: The 17th National Minority College Golf Championship is set for Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, at the PGA Golf Club North Course in Port St. Lucie, Fl. Over 100 contestants from 22 colleges and universities will vie for championships in Div. I and Div. II for men and women.
© 2003 Azeez Communications, Inc.