BCSP IX-44: BCSP Notes

BCSP Notes . . .

WSSU's Maynard goes International
Winston-Salem State basketball player Jay Maynard (Jacksonville, N.C.) has been named to the Virgin Islands' national basketball team.

Maynard, a 6'1", 185 lb., shooting guard for the Rams led the team in scoring this season averaging 13 points per game, while pulling down over three rebounds per game. He also shot nearly 40% from behind the three-point arc and drilled a team-high 124 three-point field goals during the 2002-03 season.

In addition to being one of the Rams' leading performers on the court, he was also a standout performer in the classroom this past year, as he will graduate at the end of June 2003 with a degree in psychology, finishing his studies in four-years after coming to WSSU as a partial-qualifier out of high school. Although a senior in the classroom, Maynard is a junior on the court, and will return to WSSU for the 2003-04 academic year as he will pursue a second degree in Sports Management. He will return to the court for the Rams during the 2003-04 season but will be deeply entrenched in an internship in the WSSU Office of Sports Information while carrying a full course load of academic work.

Maynard will finish the requirements on his first degree in mid-June, just before he is scheduled to play with the Virgin Islands' National Basketball Team to compete in a qualifying tournament August 2-14. With a good team showing in the qualifying round, he and the national team will compete in the Pan-Am Games August 20-31 which will feature the U.S. National Team and an assortment of the best teams from throughout the Western Hemisphere.

WSSU men's head basketball coach Philip Stitt said, "We are extremely proud that Jay has been selected to represent Winston-Salem State University as he competes internationally. I feel that the Virgin Islands team is getting not only a quality basketball player, but a quality individual. We here at WSSU are behind him and support him 100% and look for Jay to turn in a solid performance while wearing the colors of the Virgin Islands."

More Diamond Stars
A total of eight players, three from Morris Brown and five from Savannah State were among the honorees on the 2003 All-Independent Baseball Team. The team is voted on by coaches and sports information directors at independent Division I baseball playing institutions.

Named to the second team was Savannah State catcher Jefferey Urgelles, outfielder Thomas J. Lonnon and pitcher Ricardo Castilla. Morris Brown outfielder Jeremiah Fielder was also a second teamer. Receiving honorable mention were first baseman Clay Cleveland, shortstop Doug Remer and pitcher Carlos Markyna of Savannah State and third baseman Eric Love and utility player Emanuel Rachell of Morris Brown.

Urgelles and Cleveland were late choices on the second day of last week's Major League Baseball Draft (see STAT CORNER) .

FAMU Strikes TV Deal
Florida A&M President Fred Gainous announced Thursday afternoon, that the university had agreed to a five-year, multi-million dollar contract with the Urban Broadcasting Company (UBC) to produce and broadcast football and other select athletic events nationwide.

The official announcement, made at a 3:30 conference on the steps of the Lee Hall Administration building, was in reference to the pact, whose estimated value could reach $24 million over the five-year span. Florida A&M's partnership with UBC is part of the university's overall marketing push as it prepares to move its' storied football program to NCAA Division I-A in 2004.

Dr. J.R.E. Lee, FAMU's interim director of athletics possesses an extensive background in broadcasting and is the former president of the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters. He was elated to have the agreement finalized.

"This five-year contract will generate a substantial increase in revenue for us each year. And with our schedule of football Classics in 2003 and our effort to move to Division I-A, the timing of such an agreement will be vital to the overall success of not only football, but the total athletic program as well.

"The additional exposure Florida A&M will receive from this agreement will also enhance the image of the entire university. The expansive scope of this package will allow us to penetrate into markets that athletics and the university had not been previously exposed to."

Ms. Peggy Dodson, president of Urban Broadcasting Company says of the agreement: "FAMU has a long history of excellence in football and other sports. UBC Sports is excited about our relationship with Florida A&M and is looking forward to helping make them become a national brand. Our ultimate goal is to take Black College Sports to the next level.

"With this agreement also comes the opportunity to highlight key academic programs and telecast the sights and sounds of their world famous "Marching 100 Band," Dodson added.

UBC is a Harlem, New York-based broadcast multi-media company that has begun to rollout its' cable programming nationally. UBC's mission is to create innovated and dynamic original program geared for a modern Urban/Multicultural Market.

Lincoln, TSU lose coaches

Six-year Lincoln (Mo.) University head basketball coach, Bill Pope has formally announced his resignation. He is leaving his current post to pursue other job opportunities. Named as head coach in 1998, Pope has also served as Assistant Athletic Director and Compliance Coordinator for the past four years.

Pope recently completed his sixth season at the helm of the Blue Tigers. For the third consecutive year, LU finished with a winning record, despite the fact that 10 new players dotted the roster and they operated without the benefit of an assistant coach. The three-year string of 2000-2003 is the best at LU in nearly 30 years.

Lacey Reynolds, head women's basketball coach at Texas Southern, has also resigned.

Reynolds served as the women's coach for the last three seasons, with a 31-52 overall win-loss record. During the 2002-2003 season, the Lady Tigers were 3-15 in SWAC competition and 5-22 overall.

No immediate plans have been made for a replacement.

Correction
Last week in the BCSP's listing of black college champions by conference in every sport we incorrectly listed Alabama State as the women's outdoor track and field champion in the SWAC. The title was won by the Southern women.