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CIAA Tournament: Ford CIAA 60th Anniversary All-Tournament Team , Current and Former CIAA and NBA Greats Highlight 60th Anniversary Team 
T
he team, consisting of 10 CIAA greats like former NBA all-star Earl Monroe and three innovative coaches, was determined by vote totals from CIAA fans via the tournament Web site (ciaa2005.com), CIAA Presidents, coaches, CIAA Hall of Fame members, CIAA athletic directors and national media.
       Al Attles
, North Carolina A&T State University; Bobby Dandridge, Norfolk State University; Cleo Hill, Winston Salem State University; Sam Jones, North Carolina Central University; Earl Lloyd, West Virginia State University; Rick Mahorn, Hampton University; Earl Monroe, Winston Salem State University; Charles Oakley, Virginia Union University; Carlos Terry, Winston Salem State University; Ben Wallace, Virginia Union University. 

ON THIS DATE: Sam Jones Picked by Celtics in First Round of NBA Draft
Kyle Serba

Photo courtesy NCCU

ON THIS DATE: On April 17, 1957, North Carolina Central University basketball legend Sam Jones was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round (eighth pick) of the NBA Draft, held in St. Louis, Missouri.
 
Jones, one of the greatest NBA players of all-time, is NCCU's second-leading career scorer. He played at NCCU from 1951-54 and 1956-57, netting 1,745 points in four seasons under head coaches John McLendon and Floyd Brown.
 
His 12-year career with the Celtics included 10 NBA Championships, five All-Star Game appearances and three selections to the All-NBA Second Team. Nicknamed "Mr. Clutch," Jones amassed 15,411 points, an average of 17.7 points per game, 4,305 rebounds and 2,209 assists in 871 contests.
 
A native of Wilmington, North Carolina, Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984 (April 30), and was named among t he top 50 players in NBA history in 1996.

 Chewing the fat with  Sam Jones

   
 

Fighting for a seat at the table

 
N.C. A&T-led Research Team Awarded $8M NASA Grant to Develop Air Passenger Taxis  Jamie Crockett

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 15, 2020) – An interdisciplinary team led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has received a four-year, $8 million award from NASA to address traffic congestion by developing, testing and eventually deploying air passenger taxis as a supplemental means of transportation.
 
North Carolina A&T is the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to lead a project for the agency’s University Leadership Initiative (ULI). The grant is also the second-largest award the university has received in its history.

“We won’t have the luxury of physical space to build more roads as the populations in urban areas continue to grow,” said Abdollah Homaifar, Ph.D., principal investigator and a NASA Langley Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering (COE). “I am excited for this collaboration as we are addressing real challenges in our society that require solutions that one group cannot provide alone.”
“The project leverages interdisciplinary expertise to engineer new capabilities in unmanned Advanced Air Mobility,” COE Dean Robin N. Coger, Ph.D., said. “This project is a wonderful example of the scale of innovation possible when research universities, industry, and NASA partner together.”

N.C. A&T researchers will collaborate with researchers at Purdue University and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), as a well as industry leaders Aurora Flight Sciences, Alaka’i Technologies Corp., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Northrop Grumman Corp.
http://www.blacktriad.com/video-report/2020/april/fly-car.htm
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University undergraduate and graduate  Research : Engineering Capstone projects
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and ground vehicle (UGV) hybrid Video  FP

The collaboration will address the following technical challenges (TCs) in Advanced Air Mobility:
• TC1: Safe Perception, Coordination, Planning, and Navigation Led by Ali Karimoddini, Ph.D. (N.C. A&T), and Kyriakos Vamvoudakis, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech), will develop flexible and adaptive coordination and control algorithms for Urban Air Mobility (UAM).

• TC2: Secured Autonomy Led by Inseok Hwang, Ph.D., and Dengfeng Sun, Ph.D. (Purdue University), will develop secure algorithms for future UAM. Cyber-physical characteristics will address both conventional data security and physical security.


• TC3: Verification and Validation and Testing and Evaluation Led by Abdollah Homaifar, Ph.D. (N.C. A&T), and Sam Coogan, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech), will develop verification and validation procedures to provide provable guarantees of correctness of the UAM software and support certification of the developed technologies through testing and evaluation.


• TC3:System Integration Led by Dan DeLaurentis, Ph.D. (Purdue University), and Mark Costello, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech), will integrate TC 1-3 products through dependency analytics, integrated simulation, and experimental flight tests through fast-learning cycles.

N.C. A&T will offer hands-on research for both undergraduate and graduate students and support outreach opportunities that introduce K-12students to engineering.

John Kelly (N.C. A&T) and James Goppert (Purdue University) will lead the education and outreach components of the project aimed to train the future STEM workforce. Other N.C. A&T researchers on the project includeYahya Kamalipour, Ph.D., M. Nabil Mahmoud, Ph.D., Ioannis A. Raptis, Ph.D., and Allison Sullivan, Ph.D.

Additional researchers include Shaoshuai Mou, Ph.D., at Purdue University, Judy Hoffman at Georgia Tech, James Paduano, Ph.D., at Aurora Flight Sciences, Bruce J. Holmes, Ph.D., at Alaka’i Technologies, Damon Jenkins at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Neta Ezer at Northrop Grumman Corp.

According to a Morgan Stanley study,the market for autonomous air transportation will likely reach $1.5 trillion by 2040.

N.C. A&T is uniquely positioned to lead this project as Homaifar serves as the director of the Autonomous Control Information Technology (ACIT) Institute and director of the TECHLAV DoD Center of Excellence in Autonomy.

NASA requested proposals driven by universities addressing at least one of the agency’s six strategic thrusts. The initiative focuses on developing the next generation of researchers and engineers and emphasizes the inclusion of HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.

To learn more about the ULI program, visit NASA’s website.

 
 
 “Where Are They Now?” Featuring Bill Ritchie : Former All-American turned chief detective

Derek Bryant  Photo courtesy Howard (Photo Credit – Howard Athletics Media Relations)

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2020) – William "Bill" Ritchie, a 1971 graduate, holds the distinction of being the first known NCAA All-American in Howard University history.

The seven-time All-American became the first known NCAA individual champion after being victorious in the 220-yard dash during the 1969 NCAA College Division Track and Field Championships in Ashland, Ohio.

After his collegiate career, Ritchie became one of the few Bison to be inducted twice in the Howard Athletics Hall of Fame, first as an individual in 1996 and again in 2018 as a member of the 1969 HU Track and Field Team.

Upon graduation, Ritchie joined the Metropolitan Police Department and retired in 1994 as the Chief of Detectives and former Homicide Commander in the most powerful city in the world. During his tenure, he led or participated in many major criminal investigations, including the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan during 1981 and the Air Florida Airplane crash in 1982.

After retirement, he moved on to other positions, including Director for the Office of Decedent Affairs at the Washington Hospital Center, Project Manager for the District of Columbia Public School's Security Force and Director of Operations for a nationally known security company that in part serviced contracts for the U.S. Navy. In 2006, he retired again.

From time to time, he is called upon by CNN and other national and local media to provide commentary as a Homicide Expert.

Currently, Ritchie is the 2nd Vice President and Public Information Officer for the District of Columbia Society Sons of the American Revolution, an organization he has been a part of since July 4, 2016.

Choosing to spend his remaining free time golfing, Ritchie had the pleasure of playing in Tiger Woods Pro AM at the Congressional Country Club on July 4, 2007 where he had the time of his life!

About Where Are They Now?

The new weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears each Thursday throughout the year.

The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
 
'Breds fall to GSC-power AUM

KSU Sports , photo courtesy KSU

3/9/2020 | Softball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Kentucky State University softball team stepped away from conference action and dropped a pair of games to GSC-power Auburn-Montgomery Monday.

Kentucky State (3-10) returns to the diamond 1:15 p.m. Thursday against SIAC-newcomer Savannah State in the SIAC Crossover in Jasper, Ala. The Thorobreds will also face Paine College 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

GAME ONE: AUBURN-MONTGOMERY 16, KENTUCKY STATE 0 (5 innings)
The Warhawks tallied nine one-out runs in the bottom of the first inning to take control of the contest.

THE MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Auburn Montgomery used six hits, two walks and a hit batter to put nine first-inning runs on the board.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Senior Sasha Allen (West Covina, Calif.) opened the game with an infield single, the team's only hit of the game.

Freshman Hailey Unger (Mishawaka, Ind.) reached base by getting hit by a pitch.

Freshman Alexis Menifee, 1-3, (Lexington, Ky.) allowed 16 runs on 12 hits with seven walks in four innings of work.

BRED BITS
Freshman Kendall Collier (Nashville, Tenn.) made her first career start at first base.

Junior Rosemary Rodriguez (El Mirage, Ariz.) beat out a bunt for an apparent single, but it was ruled an error.

GAME TWO: AUBURN-MONTGOMERY 10, KENTUCKY STATE 0 (5 innings)
Auburn-Montgomery tallied a run in all four of its at-bats to record the 10-0 non-conference win.

THE MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Two of the first three batters were hit in the second inning and both came around to score in a four-run frame that pushed the lead to 5-0.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Junior Moana Pinner (Hilo, Hawaii) and Collier both went 1-for-2 to account for the Kentucky State hits. Collier smacked the first triple of her career. She now has three extra-base knocks this season.

Collier, 2-7, allowed 10 runs - nine earned - on nine hits in four innings of work with two strikeouts.

BRED BITS
Freshman Sarah Mercer (Louisville,Ky.) reached via a hit batter in her second career plate appearance. Mercer made her first career start, playing second base.

Kentucky State turned a pair of spectacular defensive plays. Sophomore JanaeGraham (Morehead, Ky.) recorded a diving catch in center. Freshmen Tanisha Valdez (Maui, Hawaii) and Collier combined for a double play.
 
Bowling Competes at TNBA HBCU Tournament
VUU Sports , Photo courtesy VUU
3/9/2020 | Women's Bowling

The VUU women's bowling team participated in the 2nd annual TNBA HBCU TOURNAMENT in Atlanta, Ga., on March 6-8. The team was led by Amaree Durfee during the two day qualifying matches. Amaree place 22nd out of 98 ladies with anaverage of 183.

VUU's Paris Garris averaged 130 while Alayah Walker averaged 117. Virginia Union's Aasiaonnia Thomas averaged 129 and Kenya McLeod averaged 152. Virginia Union freshman Janiya Ison only bowled in two of the matches.

VUU won matches against Bethune-Cookman, Livingstone College and two against Johnson C Smith. Virginia Union started bracket play on Sunday in 13th place and after going 2-1 on Sunday was able to hold on to 13th place.

"What a great experience for the team to bowl against some of the best HBCU schools from across the country," said VUU Head Bowling Coach James Washington. "We were able to stay competitive in many matches. The competition we faced this weekend will surely help us as at CIAA Championships. I personally would like to thank the Athletic Department for allowing us to participate in this tournament and hope it will be an annual event. I would also like to thank our bus driver for providing safe transportation."

The Lady Panthers are back in action on Friday, March 13, as VUU hosts the final CIAA event at Bowl America Southwest in Midlothian, Va. Competition starts Friday at 11 a.m. The team's five seniors will be recognized Saturday at 10 a.m.
 
Fayetteville State University Realigns Department of Athletics Eliminating Tennis
Adrian Ferguson
Fayetteville, NC – The Fayetteville State University Department of Athletics has reviewed its overall effectiveness as an NCAA Division II program and in alignment with the University’s strategic plan has made the decision to eliminate the Broncos tennis program.

“It is a tough decision to drop a program, particularly a women’s sport,” said Director of Athletics Anthony Bennett. “But with the addition of our women’s indoor track and women’s outdoor track teams, we believe that we will continue to meet the interest and ability of our female students. We are especially proud of the success of our women’s programs like basketball, cross country, indoor track and field, and volleyball who all won CIAA Championships this year.”

Six student-athletes, which include two rising seniors, four juniors, and a part-time coach will be affected by the loss of the program.

“Those student-athletes affected are our first concern,” Bennett added. “The department of athletics is working closely with the University and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association to ensure that they remain one of our top priorities.”

Fayetteville State University will continue to sponsor 11 collegiate athletic programs moving forward. The men’s sports are basketball, cross country, football, and golf. The women’s sports are basketball, bowling, cross country, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, softball, and volleyball.
 
Black College Sports Online. Com  04.20.20