BCSP Notes . . .
Tennessee State cleared in scheduling probe
Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon A.
Steinbrecher announced today that the Conference has concluded its inquiry
concerning the contractual arrangements between OVC member institution
Tennessee State and Division I Scheduling, a
California-based company.
Division I Scheduling acted as a third party in arranging basketball games between several collegiate institutions, including Tennessee State, which contracted with the company to schedule contests during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 basketball seasons.
"Based upon inquiries made by the OVC," said Steinbrecher, "and in consultation with the NCAA enforcement staff, the Conference does not believe the available information supports a finding of a violation of NCAA legislation."
Steinbrecher noted that the appearance of news articles in March 2006 raised significant concerns for both Conference and institutional officials and warranted an extensive review. As a result, the OVC conducted an investigation into the matter, utilizing the services of The Compliance Group to assist. In addition, the Conference was in contact with the NCAA enforcement staff.
Tennessee State officials were informed of the Conference's findings late last week.
"TSU has received extensive, negative publicity over the past few months," said TSU Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips. "We believe the actions of the coaching staff were within NCAA legislation and hope that this release from the OVC office will eliminate any misperceptions."
Phillips added that she appreciated the Conference's review and believed it will assist the institution's overall compliance efforts.
Porcher named chairman of Detroit Metro Sports Commission
Former South Carolina State standout
Robert Porcher, who went on to an illustrious career in the National Football League, has been
named chairman of the Detroit Metro Sports Commission (DMCS). Porcher is
a former Detroit Lions' defensive lineman, a partner with the
Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group (SHRG), and was a member of the
Super Bowl XL Host Committee Board of Directors, and co-founder, with
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, of the Detroit Football Classic held
annually at Ford Field.
"We are very pleased that Robert Porcher will lend his considerable entrepreneurial and leadership skills to the Detroit Metro Sports Commission," said Dave Beachnau, DMSC executive director. "Robert is passionate about sports at all levels, and is also extremely committed to his local civic initiatives and successful business ventures."
As chair of the DMSC, a subsidiary of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Porcher will also join the DMCVB Board of Directors.
"Robert Porcher is a great example of a local professional athlete who has successfully transferred his drive and commitment from the playing field to the local community," said Larry Alexander, DMCVB president. "Through his involvement with his restaurant group and other civic activities, Robert is directly linked to the local hospitality community that the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau serves."
While at SC State, Porcher earned All-MEAC and All-America honors, and was named both MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and I-AA Defensive Player of the year by the NFL Draft Report in 1991. The only first-round NFL draft choice in SCSU history, Porcher was inducted into the Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and had his number (#94) retired in 2001.
The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is a non-profit organization promoting metro Detroit as a convention and visitor destination. Travel and tourism ranks as the city's second largest industry. The DMCVB is the only organization that promotes Detroit regionally, nationally and internationally as a desirable location for conventions, tradeshows, corporate meetings and tourism.
SIAC announces preseason volleyball choices
Albany State in the East Division and
Kentucky State in the West have been chosen as favorites by conference coaches for the 2006
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference volleyball season.
Crystal Braud and Jennifer Holman of Clark Atlanta and Deborah Jones of Fort Valley State are picked as repeaters for the preseason all-conference team. Clark Atlanta and Paine each had three players named to the team. Fort Valley State and Kentucky State had two players named.
Leading the pack once again is Albany State who will try to win its sixth consecutive SIAC title. Kentucky State University is the defending West Division champ.
Preseason All-SIAC
Crystal Braud, Clark Atlanta ; Deborah Jones, Fort Valley State; Jennifer
Holman, Clark Atlanta; Cheryse Rolle, Benedict; Brittany Marion, Miles; Setter:
Stephanie Reed, Paine
Predicted Order of Finish
| EAST | WEST |
| 1. Albany State | 1. Kentucky State |
| 2. Clark Atlanta | 2. Miles |
| 3. Benedict | 3. LeMoyne-Owen |
| 4. Paine College | 4. Tuskegee |
| 5. Fort Valley State | 5. Lane |
| 6. Stillman |
© 2006 Azeez Communications, Inc.