JACKSON SCORES BRONZE:
Saint Augustine's student and 400-meter hurdler Bershawn Jackson claimed a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics Monday completing a 1-2-3 sweep of U. S. athletes in the event. Jackson was clocked in 48.06 seconds to finish behind teammates Angelo Taylor (47.25) and Kerron Clement (47.98), who took home gold and silver medals respectively. The three Americans had posted the best times in the event's semifinals.

In news regarding other black college products at the Olympics, former Howard University hurdler David Oliver had the best time in round one of the 110-meter hurdles Sunday. Oliver ran 13.30 seconds, the best time among hurdlers in six first-round heats. World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba clocked 13.39 seconds to win his first round heat. The 110 hurdles second round was Tuesday (8/19) with semifinals on Wednesday (8/20) and the finals Thursday (8/21) at 9:45 a.m.

Southern University product Brian Johnson did not make the finals in the long jump competition, won by Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama. Johnson's best first round jump of 7.79 meters was 11th in his heat and 22nd overall and did not advance him to the final round.

Former Norfolk State sprinter Chandra Stirrup, running for her native Bahamas, made the semifinals of the women's 100 meters and was just nudged out from a spot in the finals. Her time in the semis of 11.22 tied teammate Debbie Ferguson for the eighth and final spot. Ferguson advanced to the finals. St. Aug's Barbara Pierre, running for Haiti, did not make the semifinals of the event after clocking a 11.56 time in her second round heat.

COPPIN STATE'S NEW AD:
Derrick Ramsey, a former player in the National Football League with previous experience in collegiate athletics, has been appointed as the new director of athletics at Coppin State University. Coppin State's president, Dr. Reginald S. Avery, who appointed Ramsey to the position on July 1, 2008, introduced him at a news conference held on campus on Monday, August 18, 2008.

In his more than 10-year career in intercollegiate athletics, Ramsey has served as an athletics administrator at Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky as well as having been a student-athlete while attending Kentucky. He also served as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the state of Kentucky under the direction of former Governor Ernie Fletcher.

The 52-year old Ramsey served as the Director of Athletics at Kentucky State from 1999-2003 and was the Director of Community Relations at Kentucky from 1998-99. From 2003-07 Ramsey served as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the state of Kentucky where he oversaw the Fish and Wildlife Department, the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center and operated a budget in excess of $50 million.

During his tenure at Kentucky State, Ramsey significantly reorganized the athletic department's budget, administration and academics. Over 24 percent of the student-athletes at Kentucky State earned a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and he also oversaw the implementation of a 5,000-sqaure foot academic and fitness center. On the field, five teams won conference championships and the Kentucky State football team posted its highest win total in 25 years in 2003.

"I plan to bring accountability to Coppin State athletics," said Ramsey. "When you have accountability then things begin to happen. Academics are my main priority and we will improve in that area. Also, I am focused on improving our Olympic sports and bringing them to a championship level."

Ramsey spent over four years working at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky. He worked as a community relations officer before being elevated to the position of Director of Development and Community Relations where he coordinated the fundraising strategies for the Lexington campus.

© 2008 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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