NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 NSU CROSS COUNTRY CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
2011 NSU Women’s Cross Country Team 1st Row (left to right): Syeeda Gee, Ariel Bartice-Smith, Kassandra Irizarry 2nd Row (left to right): Head Women’s Coach Ronda Berard, Jamia Hutto, Tyler Savage, Kellen Rutto, Diretor of Track & Field Kenneth Giles
2011 NSU Men’s Cross Country Team 1st Row (left to right): Damtew Adnew, Jonathan Griffi n, Philemon Kimutai, Amos Kipkosgei 2nd Row (left to right): Assistant Coach Cletus Griffi n, Vincent Brown, Nathnael Meseret, Kameron George, Josef Tessema, Vincent Rono, Head Coach Kenneth Giles
2 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLKNORFOLK STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 NSUTABLE PRESIDENT OF CONTENTS CROSSCROSS COUNTRY COUNTRY MEDIA MEDIA GUIDE GUIDE
NSU President ...... 4 Norfolk State University NSU Athletics Director ...... 5 About Norfolk State University ...... 6 2011 Cross Country About Hampton Roads ...... 7 Quick Facts NSU Athletics Highlights ...... 8 University Information Athletics Administration ...... 10 Location ...... Norfolk, Va. NSU Athletics Foundation ...... 13 Founded ...... 1935 Athletics Department Directory ...... 14 Enrollment ...... Nearly 7,000 Coaching Staff Mascot...... Spartans School Colors ...... Green & Gold Head Men’s Coach Kenneth Giles ...... 15 Affi liation ...... Division I Head Women’s Coach Ronda Berard ...... 16 Conference ...... Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Volunteer Assistant Cletus Griffi n ...... 16 President ...... Dr. Tony Atwater 2011 Rosters ...... 17 Athletics Director ...... Marty L. Miller Season Outlook/Schedule ...... 18 Athletics Phone ...... (757) 823-8152 Men’s Profi les ...... 19 Ticket Offi ce ...... (757) 823-9009 Women’s Profi les ...... 24 2010 Season In Review ...... 26 Sports Information SID ...... Matt Michalec Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ...... 27 Email ...... [email protected] SID Phone ...... (757) 823-2628 SID Fax ...... (757) 823-8218 Cell ...... (757) 592-1245 Mailing Address ...... NSU Offi ce of Sports Information 700 Park Ave., Norfolk, VA 23504 Website ...... www.nsuspartans.com
Coaching Staff Head Men’s Coach ...... Kenneth Giles (13th year) Alma Mater ...... North Florida ‘87 Head Women’s Coach ...... Ronda Berard (7th year) Alma Mater ...... Southwestern Louisiana ‘90 Volunteer Assistant ...... Cletus Griffi n Offi ce Phone ...... (757) 823-8169/2104 Men’s Team Information 2010 MEAC Finish...... 1st Letterwinners Returning/Lost ...... 7/1 Newcomers ...... 2 Women’s Team Information 2010 MEAC Finish...... 3rd The 2011 NSU Cross Country Media Guide was written, edited and pro- Letterwinners Returning/Lost ...... 4/5 duced by the NSU Sports Information Offi ce, director Matt Michalec and assistant Mike Bello. Editorial assistance was provided by Craig Cotton and Newcomers ...... 2 Marty Miller. Photography was provided by Jerry S. Altares, Mark’s Digital Photography and NSU Marketing Services. Special design assistance was provided by Steve Gray.
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largest university in Pennsylvania and Throughout his career, Atwater has the largest within the Pennsylvania State assumed signifi cant community leader- System of Higher Education. As president, ship roles. These efforts include serving he led a population of more than 14,600 on the Governor’s Task Force on Youth and students and nearly 1,700 employees; Substance Abuse Prevention in Kentucky; oversaw an annual university budget of the Board of Trustees of the Northwest $220 million; and supported six academic Ohio Public Television Foundation; and the colleges and the School of Graduate Indiana County Chamber of Commerce. He Studies and Research. He also directed was also a member of the 2000-01 delega- operations at three regional campuses. tion of Leadership Cincinnati and the Ad- visory Board of KeyBank in the Northeast Prior to serving as IUP president, he Ohio Region. Additionally, he was past served as provost and vice president for president of the Association for Education academic affairs at Youngstown State in Journalism and Mass Communication. University in Ohio. In this capacity, he oversaw academic programs, academic A native of Nashville, Tenn., Atwater policy and academic assessment. He also earned a Ph.D. in communication research provided leadership and strategic from Michigan State University in 1983, Dr. Tony Atwater direction to approximately 750 faculty where he was the recipient of a President members, serving six academic colleges, competitive doctoral fellowship. He the School of Graduate Studies and completed post-doctoral studies in the Tony Atwater was appointed the fi fth Research, and the library. Department of Communication at the Uni- president of Norfolk State University on versity of Michigan in 1989. He also earned April 22, 2011. He previously served as a Other administrative assignments have a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts Senior Fellow of the American Associa- included serving as dean of the College from Hampton University in 1973. Addition- tion of State Colleges and Universities, of Professional Studies and Education at ally, he holds three graduate certifi cates in a leadership association serving more Northern Kentucky University; chairperson higher education administration from the than 400 public colleges and universities of the Rutgers University Department of Harvard Graduate School of Education. nationwide. Journalism and Mass Media; and special assistant to the provost at the University of Atwater is a Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Atwater served as president and chief Connecticut. He also served as associate Fellow and is the author of approximately executive offi cer at Indiana University vice president for academic affairs at the 30 refereed journal articles on news of Pennsylvania (IUP), a comprehensive, University of Toledo. selection behavior in the mass media – the doctoral/research university. It is the fi fth subject of his research interests.
4 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLKNORFOLK STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 NSUSAMPLE ATHLETICS TEXT DIRECTOR CROSSCROSS COUNTRY COUNTRY MEDIA MEDIA GUIDE GUIDE and the second in MEAC football history. Miller is the winningest baseball coach Shortly thereafter, with help from in CIAA history, having led the Spartans to a alumni, fans, friends and the Department 584-374-3 record in their years in the league. of Facilities Management, the athletics de- Miller’s ledger in the CIAA includes 17 con- partment was able to raise funds to reno- ference championships, including seven in vate and purchase new equipment for the a row from 1987-93; 12 post-season appear- weight room. In 2007, the school completed ances; 15 CIAA Coach of the Year awards; a major renovation of the NSU Softball Field, six All-Americans and 22 players signed to which included the installation of new team pro contracts. He also won the 1980 NAIA dugouts and a press box. Bleacher renova- District 19 Coach of the Year award after tions to Joseph Echols Hall were complet- his team won the District 19 title. Between ed for the 2008-09 basketball season. A new 1993-97, Miller won fi ve consecutive Louis- track surface was installed in the summer ville Slugger Awards, given to champion- of 2010. ship coaches. He was one of a select few Another highlight of his tenure as ath- baseball coaches to receive the award for Marty Miller letics director includes NSU capturing the fi ve consecutive years. Director of Athletics last seven Talmadge Layman Hill awards, In 1997, NSU honored Miller by building given annually to the top men’s sports pro- the Marty L. Miller Baseball Field. One year Marty Miller has been called many gram in the conference. NSU has received later, Miller led NSU to the MEAC Tourna- things during his tenure at Norfolk State a total of $165,000 for winning the awards. ment championship round in the Spartans’ University. Some have called him a rock. Miller was also presented in March 2006 fi rst year in the league. He was named the Others have referred to him as one of Nor- with the Tom Fergusson Memorial Award, MEAC Coach of the Year in 2000, and NSU folk State’s greatest ambassadors. Regard- given annually to the area’s top sportsman reached the championship round again in less of the label, what’s clear is that Miller by the Norfolk Sports Club. 2001. has served his alma mater in various ca- Miller is no stranger to winning. His The year 2003 was also a special one pacities for nearly 40 years, providing NSU career record as baseball coach was 718- for Miller. In February, Miller was inducted with stability in times of need. 543-3. Miller fi rst started making a name into the CIAA’s John B. McLendon Hall of His professional career at Norfolk for himself as a player at NSU from 1965- Fame. In May, Miller earned his 700th ca- State has included stints in the areas of 68. He hit .380 as a sophomore; .438 with reer win with the Spartans when sixth- fi nancial aid, career services, student af- eight doubles, two triples, three homers seeded NSU upset No. 2 Delaware State in fairs and athletics. After winning more than and 27 RBI as a junior; and .406 as a senior, the MEAC tournament. In August, Miller the 700 games as the school’s baseball coach, when he became the fi rst Spartan player player was honored as one of eight induct- Miller was named NSU’s acting athletics to be named an NCAA College Division All- ees into the Norfolk State University Athlet- director on December 16, 2004. He was ap- American. Miller was an All-CIAA baseball ics Foundation Sports Hall of Fame. pointed to the permanent athletics director selection in 1967 and 1968, and led the na- Miller was inducted into the Hamp- post on March 18, 2005. tion in doubles in 1968. ton Roads African American Sports Hall of Early in Miller’s tenure, he was con- Miller graduated with a bachelor’s Fame in 2010. He was also chosen to serve fronted with many challenges, the biggest degree in mathematics in 1969. An ROTC in March 2011 to serve on the Hampton one being the hiring of a football coach. member in college, Miller was commis- Roads Sports Hall of Fame Committee and Miller and his search committee worked sioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. is also a member of the Virginia Sports Hall during the Christmas and New Year’s holi- Army after he graduated. While on active of Fame Honors Court. days to fi nd a football coach. The hard work duty, Miller was signed by the Minnesota Miller, a native of Danville, Va., also paid off when the decision was made to Twins. Miller returned to his alma mater in serves as president of the Norfolk Sports hire Pete Adrian from Bethune-Cookman. 1972 as an assistant to baseball coach Bob Club. He and his wife Liz have one son, With approval of then-President Dr. Marie Andrews. The next season, Miller inherited Marty Eric, a former NSU outfi elder. V. McDemmond, Adrian became the fi rst the head-coaching job, which he held until white head coach in any major sport at NSU early in 2005. WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 5 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ABOUT NSU CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
Norfolk State University was founded in 1935 as a beacon of hope to the region’s youth—especially within the African American commu- nity. Brought to life in the midst of the Great Depression, the university was named the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University at its founding and was one of the last historically black institutions established in the Commonwealth of Virginia. By 1969, Norfolk State University began its transformation into a vibrant, independent college and was bestowed university status in 1979. More than 75 years later, the University remains a source of inspira- tion for those who aspire to fulfi ll their dreams. A four-year public institu- tion, NSU is located in the dynamic Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is close to the Virginia Beach oceanfront and downtown Norfolk. Additionally, NSU is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs with an enrollment of nearly 7,000 students and a faculty of nearly 300, with more than half holding terminal degrees. The University off ers a variety of academic programs within the following schools and colleges: College of Liberal Arts; the College of Science, Engineering and Technology; the Honors College; the School of Business; the School of Education; the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work; the School of Extended Learning; and the Graduate School. NSU off ers 32 undergraduate, 16 master’s and three doctoral degrees. areas to display current student and faculty artwork, and also serve as a Expanding Learning Capacity gathering area for multi-purpose events. The new library will provide the Norfolk State University has been recognized as one of the top 25 latest technology and create an exciting study and research environ- producers of cyber security professionals, according to US Black Engineer ment for students. Upon completion in December 2011, the library will and Information Technology Magazine. Additionally, the University has also reshape the look of the campus. The old library will be razed and a also been named in recent years as one of the top 50 producers of Afri- beautiful quadrangular pedestrian mall between the new library and the can-American Ph.D. recipients, according to Inside Higher Ed. The fi nding, New Student Center will be created. based on a National Science Foundation report, says that Historically From the days of the Great Depression to the Digital Age, Norfolk Black Colleges and Universities are graduating a growing share of State University continues to achieve. Today, NSU remains an active and African Americans who go on to earn Ph.D.s in science and engineering. vital component of the Hampton Roads region, the Commonwealth of NSU’s Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences Virginia and the nation. Our faculty researchers have forged partnerships (DNIMAS), established in 1985, is specifi cally geared toward increasing that have created cutting-edge virtual learning environments and the the number of Ph.D.s in science technology, engineering, and mathe- world’s smallest laser - both of which will have an impact on our every- matics. More than 50 percent of DNIMAS scholars have earned advanced day lives. Our graduates establish and lead corporations, distinguish degrees. themselves in their industries and fi elds of study and provide humanitar- Norfolk State University also has been named a “military friendly ian aid around the world. school,” which means that the university is successful at off ering the nec- Norfolk State University has played a vital role in our community essary fi nancial benefi ts, fl exibility in scheduling and support programs in the past, is serving in a critical role today, and will continue to be an to service members. Most recently, the university entered into an agree- academic leader in the future. ment with the U.S. Navy to provide the bachelor’s degree in interdisci- plinary studies through the Navy College Program Distance Learning Behold the Green and Gold! ® Partnership coordinated through the School of Extended Learning. The Navy’s distance learning program is vital in providing sailors with NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY the best possible options for obtaining higher educational degrees wherever they may be assigned. Now, sailors may apply to Norfolk State QUICK FACTS University to obtain a degree in interdisciplinary studies in an online environment. Location: Historic Norfolk, Va.; 134-acre campus 2 miles Our School of Extended Learning expertly places the convenience from downtown Norfolk of the digital age at the fi ngertips of learners. The School works with Extended Campus Center: Virginia Beach Higher Education Center the academic and administrative units of the University by serving as History: • Founded in 1935 as the Norfolk Unit an extension of the NSU campus. It off ers coursework through distance of Virginia Union University education, continuing education and certifi cate programs. Additional • Became the independent Norfolk degree programs include Master of Arts degrees in Pre-Elementary Edu- Polytechnic College in 1942 cation, Elementary Education (Pre-K-6), Pre-Elementary Early Education • Became an independent institution in 1969 with an emphasis on Childhood Special Education and Urban Educa- • Granted University status in 1979 tion, as well as graduate certifi cates in Transition Special Education and Enrollment: Nearly 7,000 Bilingual Special Education. President: Tony Atwater, Ph.D. Faculty: 274 full-time equivalent Building for the Future Degree Off erings: 32 bachelor’s degrees; 16 master’s degrees; The University is building for the future with the construction of a 3 doctoral degrees three-story, 132,000-square-foot library that will house library services, Athletics: 15 intercollegiate teams (Division I; competing archives and a 24/7 Internet café, individual and group study rooms, a in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – MEAC) multimedia project room, virtual conference room, a 24-hour study area, Student ForOrganizations more information: on Norfolk 125 State University, its academic programs and exercise equipment, and an African art gallery. One of the new library’s communityWebsite: service projects, www.nsu.edu research, campus facilities, and other amenities, distinguishing features is a 90-foot high glass atrium that will provide please call the Offi ce of Communications and Marketing at (757) 823-8373. 6 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 HAMPTON ROADS CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE The vibrancy of city life, the charm of the seashore, the ver- dant countryside, the wild preserves and the historic landmarks are just a few of the features found in Hampton Roads. The area, which includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesa- peake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suff olk, has a growing population of about 2 million. There are numerous attractions within each city. Norfolk has its Waterside, a festive marketplace similar to those in Bal- timore, St. Louis and Boston. The fi nancial and cultural hub of Virginia, Norfolk is the home of the world’s largest naval instal- lation and serves as headquarters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As a cultural center, its features include the Chrysler Museum, the Douglas MacArthur Memorial, the Nauticus National Maritime Center, the Virginia Symphony and several theater companies, including Norfolk State University’s own NSU Players. Besides a long and beautiful coastline, Virginia Beach off ers numerous landmarks, including the fi rst landing cross (where the fi rst settlers touched the shores of the New World in 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock); The Adam Thoroughgood House, probably the oldest brick house in America, dating back to 1636; and Mount Trashmore, a project that turned a mountain of solid waste into an innova- tive recreational compound with bicycle trails, picnic areas, and soapbox derby and cross-country courses around two lakes used for a myriad of recreational water sports. The unique 17- mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel links Virginia Beach with Virginia’s Eastern Shore and a national wildlife refuge. The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the Children’s Museum are located in Portsmouth. Newport News has the Mariners’ Museum, which houses one of the world’s most extensive nau- tical collections, while Hampton is home of the Air and Space Museum. NSU is just off Interstate 264 within walking distance of downtown and other major area attractions, such as the Scope, Chrysler Hall and MacArthur Center Mall. Hampton Roads has three daily newspapers, one African- American weekly, three independent TV stations and more than 30 radio stations.
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 7 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE Norfolk State University Athletics Six-Year Highlights (2005-Present) The Norfolk State University intercollegiate athletics program has experi- enced unprecedented success at the NCAA Division I level during the past six years (2005-11). This period of progress has been highlighted by improve- ments in virtually every area critical to transforming the NSU athletics program into a highly competitive program that will consistently challenge for Mid-East- ern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and NCAA Division I championships. The catalyst for these advancements has been Marty Miller, who was ap- pointed athletics director at NSU in December 2004. Miller believes that the mission of the athletics program is an extension of the mission of Norfolk State University. He places an emphasis on areas that impact the welfare of student-athletes. Improving graduation rates, gender equity, and the retention of student-athletes are equally, if not more important, than winning conference and national championships. However, the initiatives designed to enhance the student-athlete experience and improve the overall administrative process have been successful due to the achievements of the teams and individual athletes. Perhaps the biggest achievement came in early 2009, when the athletics department was recertifi ed Football player Ryan Hathaway (right) and softball player Casey Pomeroy (left) to receive NCAA accreditation for the next 10 years. By achieving certifi cation were presented the 2010 Male and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards, status, NSU is considered to be operating its athletics program in substantial respectively, by current Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Carray Banks. conformity with operating principles adopted by the NCAA’s Division I mem- bership. Following is a list of accomplishments and improvements the Numerous staff and coaching hires have been made to enhance the department has experienced since 2005: department’s effi cacy. New personnel have been hired in the areas of academic Academics support, compliance, business operations and development to meet the grow- • Had 36 student-athletes (sophomores or higher) named to MEAC All-Aca- ing demand in those departments. A host of new head coaches joined the staff demic team (min. GPA: 3.0) in 2005-06, 34 in 2006-07, 42 in 2007-08 and signaling new beginnings in several sports. They included Pete Adrian (Foot- 2008-09, and 40 in 2009-10 ball), Claudell Clark (Baseball), Anthony Evans (Men’s Basketball), Debra Clark • Had 54 student-athletes (sophomores or higher) named to MEAC All-Aca- (Women’s Basketball), Heidi Cavallo (Softball), Brandon Duvall (Volleyball), demic team (min. GPA: 3.0) in 2010-11 and Wilhelmenia Harrison (Bowling). Kenneth Giles (Men’s Track) and Ronda • Increased student-athlete graduation success rate from 40% to 61% Berard (Women’s Track) were promoted from interim to full-time head coaches • Won the inaugural Division I Football Championship Subdivision Academic in their respective sports. Progress Rate Award for having the MEAC’s highest cumulative APR for the Giles’ cross country and track teams have dominated the MEAC. Adrian has 2008-09 school year and then again for 2009-10 orchestrated the steady progress of the football team, which came within a • David Kemboi was one of 50 student-athletes nationwide named to the game of capturing its fi rst MEAC title in 2007. Evans led the Spartans to the 2006-07 Division I Men’s Cross Country All-Academic team as selected by MEAC Tournament championship game in his second year, and Claudell Clark the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association helped guide the baseball team to a runner-up fi nish at the MEAC Champion- (USTFCCCA) ships in 2008 and 2011. • Thea Aspiras named to the 2010-11 National Tenpin Coaches Association Harrison was named the MEAC (NTCA) All-Academic First Team Coach of the Year in 2010-11 after leading the bowling Program Awards team to MEAC Southern • Won the last seven MEAC men’s Division regular-season all-sports awards (Talmadge for the second time in Layman Hill Award) and earned three years. Duvall was the NSU Athletics Department also named the MEAC $165,000 from 2005-11 (pictured Coach of the Year in at left) 2010 after guiding NSU • Had the baseball, men’s basketball to its best overall and and football teams all post winning MEAC record in Division records in 2007-08 for the fi rst time I, while Cavallo led the in the Division I era Spartans to a D-I best 13- game win streak in 2011. The accomplishments of Administrative • Hired a full-time assistant sports information director (January 2007) NSU student-athletes in the • Hired a full-time athletics academic coordinator (March 2008) classroom since 2005 have • Hired a full-time strength and conditioning coach (August 2008) been equally impressive. The • Hired an associate athletics director for development (August 2009) number of athletes annually named to the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic • Hired an assistant athletics director for academic services, an assistant com- Team has steadily increased, and now numbers 40 or more each year. pliance coordinator and an additional athletic trainer (August 2010) • Developed comprehensive gender-equity and catastrophic incident guideline plans 8 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE Football • Had fi rst back-to-back winning seasons in Division I in 2009 (7-4) and 2010 (6-5) • Matched 2005 and 2006 win total (8-14) in 2007 with a record of (8-3) • Record 10 NSU players named All-MEAC in 2007 • Pete Adrian named NSU’s fi rst MEAC Football Coach of the Year in 2007 • Earned school’s fi rst-ever national FCS national ranking in NSU completed a $550,000 renovation and resurfacing of the Dick Price 2007, reaching as high as 23rd Stadium track in the summer of 2010. • Had its fi rst NFL draftee since 1996 when Don Carey was se- lected by the Cleveland Browns Track & Field in the sixth round of the 2009 • Became fi rst MEAC men’s track program to win both the indoor and outdoor draft conference championships for six consecutive academic years (2006-11) • Had three members of the 2009 • Had two athletes (Marlon Woods, Corey Vinston) earn NCAA Division I All- team sign professional contracts American status in the same championship meet for the fi rst time in school – Chris Bell (New Orleans Saints), history in 2009 Defensive back Terrell Whitehead (Jacksonville • Won the school’s fi rst MEAC women’s indoor championship in 10 years in Don Carey (now with the Jaguars) be- Jaguars) and Dennis Brown 2010, and fi rst outdoor title in 10 years in 2011 came the fi rst Spartan football player (CFL’s Calgary Stampeders) to be drafted in 13 years when the Cross Country • Won 10 of the last 11 MEAC men’s titles, including a conference-record seven straight from 2000-06 Football Attendance • Sent a runner to the NCAA Division I National Cross Country Championship • Ranked 20th in Division I FCS (I-AA) in 2005 for the fi rst time in school and MEAC history in 2006 (David Kemboi) • Ranked 23rd in Division I FCS (I-AA) in 2006 • Won the school’s fi rst-ever MEAC women’s title in 2009 • Ranked 7th in Division I FCS (I-AA) in 2007 • Had the 2nd and 3rd-largest crowds in Dick Price Stadium history in 2007: vs. Facilities Hampton (27,756) and vs. Virginia State (26,970) • Renovated weight room in Gill Gymnasium in 2005, increasing size of exist- • Set a stadium record in average attendance in 2007 (17,220 average for ing room and purchasing new equipment 6 games) • Completed softball fi eld renovations in 2007-08, including construction of a press box, dugouts and restrooms Men’s Basketball • Replaced the outfi eld wall at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field (summer 2007) • Won 16 games in 2007-08, a fi ve-win improvement over the previous year • Completed refurbishing of women’s sports locker rooms in Gill Gymnasium • Competed in the conference championship game in 2009 for the fi rst time (fall 2008) since joining the MEAC • Renovated the Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall basketball arena to add new chair-back seating (August 2008 and 2009) Bowling • Renovated and resurfaced the Dick Price Stadium track (summer 2010) • Thea Aspiras named to NTCA All-America Second Team, All-MEAC First Team and tabbed the MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2011, each a fi rst for NSU Media Exposure • Won a school-record 67 games in 2009-10 and matched that total in 2010-11 • Transitioned the department’s web site from the www.nsu.edu domain to a • Reached as high as No. 16 in the national rankings in 2010-11 new and improved web site, www.nsuspartans.com, in the fall of 2007 • Hosted the school’s fi rst two nationally-televised softball games in 2007 and 2008 • Had six sporting events televised on ESPN networks (thee football games, two men’s basketball, one softball) in 2007-08, most in school history • Had fi ve sporting events televised on ESPN networks (three football games, two men’s basketball) in 2008-09 • Began airing a weekly radio show, Inside Spartan Sports, on Fox Sports affi li- ate WXTG 102.1 FM in January 2009 • Conducted live video streaming for the fi rst time in 2009-10, broadcasting 16 athletic events on the department’s web site • Conducted live video streaming for all basketball, football, baseball and softball home games in 2010-11, including the fi rst-ever baseball and softball webcasts in school history • Redesigned the school’s current web site again in the summer of 2010
NSU became the fi rst MEAC school since 2003 to sweep the MEAC men’s and women’s indoor track and fi eld titles when they accomplished the feat in 2010.
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 9 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
SHERIE CORNISH GORDON for two years before his appointment as the univer- ism Fact-Finding Committee in 2010 and will serve Sherie Cornish Gordon is sity’s director of public relations and marketing in on that committee until 2014. She also is a member entering her sixth year in athlet- 1994. of the NCAA Low Resource Institution working ics administration at Norfolk From 1988-1992, Cotton was associate direc- group and NCAA Academic Performance Program State University, currently serving tor of sports information at Temple University. He Users working group. In addition, Tucker serves as as the senior associate athletics worked for seven years (1981-1988) as sports infor- a peer reviewer for the NCAA’s Division I Athletics director for administration. mation director and administrative assistant to the Certifi cation program. She is also instrumental in Gordon’s primary responsibili- director of intercollegiate athletics at the University working with the NCAA’s Supplemental Support ties are supervising fi ve sports (bowling, volley- of Maryland Eastern Shore. Fund which provided monies to NSU in support of ball, softball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis), Cotton was also was a press operations manag- athletics academic initiatives. managing the department’s budget, supervision er for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) In 2011, Tucker was selected to participate in of the equipment and facility operations, oversight at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Ga.; 1995 the NACWAA (National Association for Collegiate of game-day management and providing strategic Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina; Women Athletics Administrators) Institute for guidance for the department’s marketing, promo- and the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival in St. Louis, Mo. Administrative Advancement (West Class) as well as tions and development initiatives, as well as serving Cotton is a native of Greensboro, N.C., and the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar Advanced Tract. as the department’s senior woman administrator. a 1980 graduate of North Carolina A&T State Before coming to Norfolk State, Tucker served as Gordon came to Norfolk State University in 2005 University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree the athletics eligibility specialist and curriculum after serving as a senior administrative assistant at in English-mass communications. He received the coordinator at Marshall University. She began her American University. She also served as an athletics M.Ed. degree at Temple University in 1995. career as an intern at Michigan State University in department intern at the University of Maryland in Cotton and his wife, Cynthia, reside in Norfolk, 2001. She was promoted to assistant compliance 2004-2005 and as an assistant women’s basketball Va. coordinator , and then earned a promotion to com- coach at her alma mater, Morgan State University, pliance coordinator at MSU in 2003. Tucker has also during the 2003-2004 school year. KAREN HOLMES worked in compliance offi ces at Villanova University Gordon is currently a participant in the Karen Holmes is in her third and the University of Richmond. NCAA Pathways Program (formerly NCAA Fellows year on staff in the NSU athletics Tucker earned her bachelor’s degree in English Program). She is a 2006 graduate of the National department. As the associate literature and composition from the University of Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Ad- athletics director for marketing Virginia in 1996. She earned her master’s in sports ministrators’ (NACWAA) Institute for Administra- and corporate development, management from Old Dominion University in tive Advancement, a 2009 graduate of the NCAA her primary responsibilities are 2001. Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and to plan, coordinate and execute A Hampton native, Tucker was a track and Females and a 2010 and 2011 participant in the athletic fundraising and outreach events and to fi eld athlete at Hampton High School. She was NACDA Mentoring Institute. recruit corporate sponsors for the department. also a sprinter and hurdler on the U.Va. track team. In addition, Gordon is a member of NACWAA, Prior to NSU, Holmes served as the founda- Tucker was also the liaison between the student- the National Association of Collegiate Directors of tion manager at the Norfolk Convention & Visitors government and the athletics department serving Athletics (NACDA), the Collegiate Athletics Business Bureau. She was responsible for planning and on various committees. She is also a member of Management Association (CABMA) and the Minor- directing the foundation’s operations to include Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and currently resides in ity Opportunities Athletics Association (MOAA). fundraising, staffi ng, budgeting and research. Portsmouth, Va. She currently serves on the program committee for Holmes has also held positions as a business CABMA. account representative at Opportunity, Inc. in JAMAR ROSS Gordon was an accomplished basketball player Norfolk and as a senior marketing consultant in Jamar Ross is in his third year at Morgan State, where she scored more than 1,000 television and radio. Holmes is a member of the as NSU’s assistant athletics direc- career points. She was a four-year letter winner and National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics tor for business operations. was a team captain her fi nal three seasons. Administrators (NACWAA), National Association of Ross served from July 2007 Gordon, a native of Severna Park., Md., earned Athletic Development Directors (NAADD), National to April 2009 as associate sports her bachelor’s degree in sports administration from Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators information director at Old Morgan State in 2002 and her master’s in sports (NACMA) Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Dominion University. At ODU, he management from Temple in 2004. and the Association of Fundraising Professionals was the primary media contact for the Monarchs’ Sherie currently resides in Suff olk, Va., with her (AFP). Holmes also serves as the MEAC’s NAADD start-up football team. husband, Ross, and son, Ethan. representative. Previously, Ross was the sports information Holmes, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., gradu- director at Hampton University from 2002-07. While CRAIG COTTON ated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in at Hampton, Ross served on the Governance and Craig Cotton is in his 11th interdisciplinary studies from NSU in 1998. She is Commitment to Rules Compliance Subcommittee year as associate athletics direc- also a 2010 graduate of the NACWAA’s Institute for for Hampton’s NCAA Recertifi cation Self Study. tor for external operations. He is Administrative Advancement. Ross also served as Sports Information Direc- also in his sixth year as executive tor at Winston-Salem State University in 2001-02, director of the NSU Athletics ALISHA TUCKER was the assistant SID at Hampton 2000-01, and Foundation. Cotton joined the Alisha Tucker is entering her completed a post-graduate internship at Southern NSU athletics staff after serving sixth year working in the Norfolk Illinois University in 2000. He also served as a press as marketing manager at Howard University. State University athletics depart- room attendant at NCAA men’s basketball tourna- Cotton’s primary duties at NSU include devel- ment. She assumed the role of ments in 1997 and 2000. oping and managing marketing and public rela- associate athletics director for Ross graduated cum laude from Winston-Salem tions projects with particular focus on the “Team student services for the 2010-11 State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports Spartan Corporate Partners Program,” a comprehen- academic year after serving as management in 1999. He received his master’s in sive sports marketing initiative designed to attract assistant athletic director for compliance for the sports management from ODU in 2008. Ross also corporate sponsorship and funding for the athletics previous four years. In her new role, she provides completed the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic program. oversight for the compliance and athletics aca- Minority Males and Females in 2008. Previously, Cotton worked for seven years in demic support offi ces. the Delaware State University Public Relations Of- In addition to her duties at NSU, Tucker is fi ce. He arrived at the Dover, Del.-based institution involved in administrative activities on the national in 1992 and served as sports information director level. Tucker was appointed to the NCAA’s Amateur-
10 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
DR. CARRAY BANKS JR. came at East Central Community College in his MEGHAN ANTINARELLI Dr. Carray Banks Jr. is in his home state of Mississippi from 1992-94. He has Meghan Antinarelli is in her fi rst year as NSU’s faculty athletic also worked as an assistant football coach at NAIA second year as assistant athletics representative. In this capacity, Georgia Southwestern College and at a pair of Divi- director for sports medicine at he represents Norfolk State Uni- sion II schools, Southeast Oklahoma State and East NSU. Previously, she served for versity and its faculty in relation- Texas State (now known as Texas A&M-Commerce). eight years as an athletic trainer ships with the NCAA and MEAC. He also was men’s track coach during his tenure at within the department. The faculty’s voice and infl uence Southeastern Oklahoma State. Antinarelli, who is originally regarding intercollegiate athletics are channeled Bridgman, a native of Tylertown, Miss., got his from Wellesley, Mass., received her bachelor’s primarily through the faculty athletic representa- football coaching start at Hattiesburg (Miss.) Prep in degree in health and physical education from the tive. 1983. University of Massachusetts in 1998. She received Banks, who is also the head of the Department Bridgman, 47, received his bachelor’s degree in her master’s degree in athletic training at Old of Technology in the College of Science, Engineer- athletic administration and coaching from the Uni- Dominion University in 2001. She and her husband, ing and Technology at NSU, has lent his talents versity of Southern Mississippi in 1985. He earned Joseph, live in Suff olk and have one son, Nicholas. to many athletic endeavors at the University. He his master’s in physical education with an emphasis worked for six years as an academic enhancement in exercise physiology from East Texas State (Texas MATT MICHALEC counselor for the men’s basketball team. In addi- A&M-Commerce) in 1986. Matt Michalec is in his ninth tion, he has served on the NSU Athletics Founda- Bridgman is certifi ed through the National full year heading up the NSU tion Sports Hall of Fame selection committee as Strength and Conditioning Association, the Col- sports information department. well as the chairman of the steering committee legiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Associa- After serving as sports informa- for NSU’s NCAA recertifi cation in 2008. He is also a tion, and the National Association of Speed and tion director for eight years, Mi- staple at home athletic events, serving as member Explosion. He and his wife, Kelly, reside in Chesa- chalec was promoted to assistant of the offi cial game clock management team at peake. athletics director for communica- Spartan basketball and football games. Banks also tions in the spring of 2011. supervises the data generation and graphic media JACQUELINE NICHOLSON Michalec is in charge of coordinating media advertisements on the graphics display boards dur- Jacqueline Nicholson is in relations eff orts for all 15 of NSU’s athletics pro- ing football games at William “Dick” Price Stadium. her fourth year working in the grams. His duties include the production of press Banks received his bachelor’s degree in NSU athletics department. After guides, serving as the media liaison for the athletics industrial arts education from Elizabeth City State serving as athletics academic department, keeping statistics at all home athletic University, his master of arts degree from Ball State coordinator the last two years, contests, and maintaining the university athletics University, and his doctor of philosophy degree in Nicholson was promoted to the web site. In 2006, he was named the Black College vocational and industrial education from Penn State position of assistant athletics di- Baseball SID of the Year. University. rector for academic support for the 2010-11 school Previously, Michalec worked for two years as a Banks resides in Virginia Beach with his wife, year. part-time sports reporter and editorial assistant at Alesia, and daughter, Aliyah. Nicholson’s responsibilities include advising all the Daily Press newspaper in Newport News, Va. NSU student-athletes on issues of NCAA eligibility Michalec graduated magna cum laude with a REESE BRIDGMAN requirements and monitoring progress toward their bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in commu- Reese Bridgman is in his degrees. Nicholson is also in charge of coordinating nications from Old Dominion University in 2002. He fourth year as the Spartans’ the academic support eff orts for each team along served as sports editor for ODU’s student newspa- assistant athletics director for with the academic enhancement counselors. She per during his time there. He got his professional strength and conditioning. also oversees the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Program start by working for two years as a sportswriter at Bridgman oversees the strength and serves as the advisor for the Student Athlete the York Town Crier and Poquoson Post newspapers and conditioning eff orts for all Advisory Committee (SAAC). in York County, Va. 15 of NSU’s sports programs. Previously, Nicholson worked as an academic Michalec is a member of the College Sports Bridgman previously served as the strength coordinator intern at Virginia Tech during the 2007- Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and the and conditioning coach for the Newport News 08 school year, assisting with the Hokies football Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). Apprentice School’s football program from 2005-07. team. She also served as a graduate assistant in the Michalec and his wife, Annie, live in Newport He was also the Builders defensive coordinator in university academic advising center at Virginia Tech News and have a son, Brandon, and daughter, 2007 after coaching the defensive line in 2005 and from 2005-07. Alexis. 2006. Nicholson is a member of the National Associa- Before moving to the Hampton Roads area, tion of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators MIKE BELLO Bridgman was the head strength and condition- (NACWAA), the National Association of Academic Mike Bello was hired as the as- ing coach for the University of Central Florida from Advisors for Athletics (N4A), and the National Aca- sistant sports information direc- 1997-2003. Bridgman helped train 20 UCF football demic Advising Association (NACADA). She serves tor in August of 2010. He came players who went on to make active NFL rosters, on the awards committee for NACWAA and the to NSU after a pair of internships including the likes of Daunte Culpepper, Asante membership committee for N4A. at Division I institutions. At NSU, Samuel, Travis Fisher, Atari Bigby, Steve Edwards, Nicholson is a 2011 graduate of NACWAA’s Bello will be the main contact for Brandon Marshall and Rashad Jeanty. Other top- Institute for Administrative Advancement and 2011 volleyball, women’s basketball, notch athletes he helped tutor at UCF include Major and 2009 graduate of the N4A Professional Devel- softball, tennis and bowling. League pitcher Mike Maroth. opment Institute. Prior to arriving at NSU, Bello spent the previ- Along with his strength and conditioning A native of Clayton, N.J., Nicholson was a ous year at the University of South Florida as a expertise, Bridgman has an extensive background four-year letterwinner for the Hokies track and fi eld full-time intern, where he was the main contact as a football coach at the high school, college and team as a sprinter and hurdler. She was a member for track and fi eld and cross country as well as the professional levels. Bridgman coached two seasons of the Virginia Tech all-academic team and athletics secondary contact for men’s basketball and football. in the Arena Football League. He coached linemen director’s honor roll. She earned her bachelor’s While at USF, Bello was part of a new initiative and was the strength coach for the Orlando Preda- degree in human development in 2005 and her there that did away with traditional printed media tors in their ArenaBowl runner-up season of 1995. master’s in educational leadership and policy stud- guides and went to a new, interactive and online The following year, he worked in the same capacity ies with a focus in higher education in 2007, both format that featured videos, photos and text all for the Milwaukee Mustangs (now defunct). from Virginia Tech. intermixed on a web-based platform. Bridgman’s one stint as a head football coach Continued on page 12 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 11 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
Continued from page 11 women’s basketball, volleyball, bowling and men’s Wright earned his bachelor’s degree in interdis- During the 2008-09 athletics season, Bello and women’s tennis. He was also the secondary ciplinary studies and a minor in physical education worked as an intern in the sports information of- media contact for football. in 1995. He is currently pursuing his master’s in fi ce at Harvard. He also spent the 2007-08 season Before coming to Hampton, Coles spent six administration. volunteering with the sports information offi ce at years as an assistant within the athletic department Wright has four daughters, Chiquita, Nikeya, Kent State University as part of his graduate work at Virginia Union University. His duties included Britney and Ashley; three granddaughters and one there. He has also volunteered with the Cleveland assisting the sports information department with grandson. Gladiators of the Arena Football League and the programs, media guides and game-day activities, Boston Breakers of the Women’s Professional Soccer as well as working with the compliance offi ce in League. reviewing academic records, practice schedules NATE BELL Bello earned a bachelor’s of arts degree from and athlete eligibility matters. Nate Bell is in his 16th year as Penn State University in journalism in 2004, and Coles received his bachelor’s degree in market- assistant equipment manager a master of arts degree in recreation and sports ing from Virginia Union in 2007 and his master’s in for the Norfolk State University management in 2009 from Kent State. sports management from Virginia State University athletics department. A native in 2009. Coles is a native of Richmond, Va. and his of Norfolk, Va., Bell is a 1994 JESSICA COLE volunteer work includes the Special Olympics, graduate of Maury High School, Jessica Cole is in her third the Rudy Johnson Foundation, the James Farrior were he lettered in football, and year as the head assistant Foundation, Richmond Sports Backers and Upward wrestling. Bell and his wife, Paulette, live in Norfolk athletic trainer at Norfolk State Sports Academy. with their daughter Maeva. The couple is expecting University. Previously, Cole He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha another child. served as the assistant athletic Fraternity, Inc. and is also a member of the National trainer at Virginia State Univer- Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC). sity in Petersburg, Va., for two years (2007-09). She also worked for two and a half MICHELLE MacFARLANE years as the athletic trainer at Chelsea Community Michelle MacFarlane is in her Hospital Outpatient Physical Therapy in her native second year as an administrative Chelsea, Mich. specialist in the NSU athletics Cole earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic department. training from Florida Southern College in 2004. She She comes to NSU after completed her senior internship with the WNBA’s spending six years at Eastern Detroit Shock in 2004, and earned her master’s de- Virginia Medical School as an gree in exercise physiology from Eastern Michigan administrative assistant. While there, MacFarlane’s in 2008. duties included composing correspondence, recording and distributed minutes of faculty NICOLE DIETRICH meetings, handling travel and catering arrange- Nicole Dietrich is in her ments, organizing and creating fl yers, and fi ling and second year as the assistant organizing grades. athletic trainer at Norfolk State During her time at EVMS, she also worked for University. Previously, Dietrich Jackson Hewitt Tax Service as a tax preparer and served as the assistant athletic instructor of basic tax course. trainer at Chestnut Hill College MacFarlane completed classes at Old Dominion in Philadelphia, Pa., for the past and Kee Business College, where she received two and half years. her medical assistant diploma prior to working at A native of Lykens, Pa., Dietrich received her Eastern Virginia Medical School. bachelor’s degree in athletic training and minored in recreation fi tness management from Lock Haven SHIRLEY BROOKS University in 2004. She earned her master’s degree Shirley Brooks is in her 12th in psychology at Shippensburg University in 2007. year as the football administra- Dietrich currently resides in Norfolk, Va. She tive assistant for the NSU athlet- and her fi ancée, Filiberto, will be married in May ics department. Brooks oversees 2012. all administrative aspects of the program, including coordinat- DERRICK COLES ing special events, team travel, Derrick Coles is in his second player fi les and day-to-day operations. year as the compliance coordina- A native of Hertford, N.C., Brooks has three chil- tor at Norfolk State University. dren: Derek, Dietrich and Verletita. She graduated His duties consist of handling cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in tourism many of the day-to-day opera- and hospitality management from NSU in 2010. tions of Norfolk State University’s compliance offi ce, specifi cally: WILLIAM WRIGHT monitoring playing/practice seasons, monitoring William Wright is in his ninth recruiting contacts/calls, overseeing the National year as the head equipment Letter of Intent program, NCAA Special Assistance manager at NSU. Previously, Fund and MEAC reports. In addition, Coles assists Wright worked as a parking the associate athletics director with rules education supervisor in NSU’s Offi ce of for coaches and student-athletes and serves as a Parking and Transportation. He member of the eligibility certifi cation team. has also served as a security of- Before coming to Norfolk State, Coles was the fi cer at NSU. assistant director of sports information at Hampton A native of Portsmouth, Wright lettered in foot- University. Derrick assisted with the day-to-day ball, basketball and track at NSU in the early 1980s. activities of the Offi ce of Sports Information, as He was a member of the 1984 CIAA championship well as serving as the primary media contact for football team. WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 12 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS FOUNDATION CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
Total Sports - 15
Women’s Sports Basketball Bowling Cross Country Indoor Track & Field Outdoor Track & Field Softball Tennis A BRIEF OVERVIEW Volleyball Norfolk State University’s proud legacy of achievement in Men’s Sports collegiate athletics began at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). NSU was one of Baseball the league’s most dominant programs, winning championships in every Basketball sport the school off ered. Cross Country In 1997, NSU joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football (MEAC), one of only two NCAA Division I conferences comprised Indoor Track & Field of historically black colleges and universities. Outdoor Track & Field Other conference members include: Bethune-Cookman University, Tennis Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M Univer- sity, Hampton University, Howard University, the University of Maryland ...... Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State Uni- versity, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University and Norfolk State University South Carolina State University. Athletics Foundation NSU made an immediate impression in the conference in 2000-01, winning the Talmadge Hill Award – presented annually to Board of Directors the member whose men’s teams compile the most points based on team fi nishes in conference competition. The Spartans won the T almadge Fran Steward, President Hill Award again each year from 2005-11. In all, NSU has won conference Merv Pitchford, Vice President titles in men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s cross country, and Phillip Brooks, Treasurer women’s basketball during its brief tenure in the MEAC. Craig Cotton, Executive Director Marty Miller, Athletics Director Why Support Norfolk State University Athletics? Michael K. Brown • NSU competes at the nation’s highest level of intercollegiate athletics A. Graige Johnson competition – National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Curtis Maddox* - and is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Langston Powell • The need to increase funding for scholarships for deserving student- Zackery Rodgers athletes motivated by achievement both in athletics and academics. James Satterfi eld* • Improvements and maintenance of equipment and facilities enable Donna Sample Smith NSU student-athletes to perform at their full potential. Joel Wagner • A competitive athletics program contributes to the enjoyment of the John Warren student-athlete experience.
* - Emeritus
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 13 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 ATHLETICS DIRECTORY CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
...... (Area Code 757) Administration and Support Staff Director of Athletics: Marty L. Miller ...... 823-8152 Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Carray Banks ...... 823-2421 Senior Assoc. AD/SWA: Sherie Cornish Gordon ...... 823-8404 Assoc. AD for External Operations/NSUAF Executive Director: Craig Cotton ...... 823-2667 Assoc. AD for Marketing and Coporate Development: Karen Holmes ...... 823-8645 Assoc. AD for Student Services: Alisha Tucker ...... 823-2337 Asst. AD for Sports Medicine: Meghan Antinarelli ...... 823-9547/8997 Asst. AD for Business Operations: Jamar Ross ...... 823-2105 Asst. AD for Strength and Conditioning: Reese Bridgman ...... 823-2187 Asst. AD for Academic Support: Jacqueline Nicholson ...... 823-8751 Asst. AD for Communications: Matt Michalec ...... 823-2628 Asst. Sports Information Director: Mike Bello ...... 823-2628 Compliance Coordinator: Derrick Coles ...... 823-2337 Head Assistant Athletic Trainer: Jessica Cole ...... 823-9547/8997 Asst. Athletic Trainer: Nicole Dietrich ...... 823-9547/8997 Administrative Specialist: Michelle MacFarlane ...... 823-8152 Equipment Manager: William Wright ...... 823-2022 Asst. Equipment Manager: Nate Bell ...... 823-2022 Cheerleading Coach: Carmen Harris ...... 823-8200 Administrative Specialist/Football: Shirley Brooks ...... 823-8824 Men’s Coaches Baseball: Claudell Clark, Head Coach ...... 823-8196 Asst. Coach: A.J. Corbin ...... 823-9533 Basketball: Anthony Evans, Head Coach ...... 823-8934 Asst. Coaches: Robert Jones/Larry Vickers/Wilson Washington ...... 823-9192/2840 Cross Country: Kenneth Giles, Head Coach ...... 823-8169 Football: Pete Adrian, Head Coach ...... 823-8824 Asst. Head Coach/Off ensive Line: Rod Holder ...... 823-8779 Asst. Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Mark DeBastiani ...... 823-2582 Asst. Coach/Interim Off ensive Coordinator: Joe Blackwell ...... 823-8824 Asst. Coach/Defensive Line: Mark Thurston ...... 823-8758 Asst. Coach/Defensive Backs: Marco Butler ...... 823-2495 Asst. Coach/Quarterbacks: Steve Canter ...... 823-2570 Asst. Coach/Running Backs: Paul Macklin ...... 823-8824 Asst. Coach/Wide Receivers: Howard Feggins ...... 823-8824 Tennis: Nate Feldman, Head Coach ...... 823-8821 Asst. Coach: Torrie Browning ...... 823-8821 Track and Field: Kenneth Giles, Head Coach ...... 823-8801 Asst. Coaches: Serge Bengono/Brandon Tynes ...... 823-2104 Women’s Coaches Basketball: Debra Clark, Head Coach ...... 823-8441 Asst. Coaches: Lashondra Dixon-Gordon/Kenny Edwards ...... 823-2132/8456 Bowling: Wilhelmenia Harrison, Head Coach ...... 823-8152 Asst. Coach: Aundray Darden ...... 823-8152 Cross Country: Ronda Berard, Head Coach ...... 823-2104 Softball: Heidi Cavallo, Interim Head Coach ...... 823-8194 Asst. Coach: Amanda Haverman ...... 823-8343 Tennis: Nate Feldman, Head Coach ...... 823-8821 Asst. Coach: Torrie Browning ...... 823-8821 Track and Field: Ronda Berard, Head Coach ...... 823-2104 Asst. Coaches: Serge Bengono/Jerry Price/Dwayne Miller ...... 823-2104 Volleyball: Brandon Duvall, Interim Head Coach ...... 823-2804 Asst. Coach: Dave Albaugh ...... 823-2804 Miscellaneous Football Press Box ...... 823-2628 Basketball Press Row ...... 823-8195 Softball Press Box ...... 823-0056 Baseball Press Box ...... 823-8196 Ticket Offi ce ...... 823-9009
14 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 COACHING STAFF CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
Kenneth Giles is in his ninth year out 800-meter runner in college. In 1985, Giles earned Junior as the head men’s track and fi eld College All-American status by fi nishing eighth at the indoor coach at NSU and 13th as head national meet in the 800 for Hagerstown (Md.) Community Col- men’s cross country coach. He is lege. He continued his success in that event at the University also in his third season as NSU’s di- of North Florida, where he is still the 800-meter indoor record- rector of track and fi eld programs. holder. In that capacity, he oversees the operations of both men’s and At one time, Giles was also the personal coach for Brown, a for- women’s track and cross country mer Division I All-American sprinter at NSU. Brown, a three-time programs with an emphasis on Olympian in 2000, 2004 and 2008 for his native Bahamas, won a recruiting, scheduling and home silver medal in the 4x400 relay at the Beijing Summer Olympics track meet operations. in 2008. Kenneth Giles Director of Programs Giles led the NSU cross country Giles earned his bachelor’s degree from UNF in 1987. He is Head Men’s Track Coach team to a record seven consecu- married to the former Dr. Jeterfonee Jones, and they have two tive MEAC titles from 2000-06 and children: Kenneth Jr. (15) and Ebone Kennya (12). three more from 2008-10. NSU also captured top-12 fi nishes at the NCAA Southeast Cross Country Regional in 2002 (12th) and 2005 (8th). In the only two seasons under Giles that the Spartans did not win the conference cross country title (1999 and 2007), they fi nished second.
Giles has also guided the Spartans’ track team to six straight sweeps of the MEAC indoor and outdoor titles (2006-11). As an assistant track coach, he helped the Spartans to one MEAC indoor and one MEAC outdoor championship, both of which came in the 2000-01 school year.
During his tenure at NSU, Giles’ Spartans have won fi ve individ- ual MEAC cross country championships and earned three NCAA All-Southeast Region honors. One of those, David Kemboi, became the fi rst NSU and MEAC runner to qualify for the NCAA National Championship race.
Since taking over as head coach, Giles’ athletes have won 60 individual conference championships and garnered more than 125 All-MEAC honors on the track. More than 30 of his pupils have qualifi ed for the NCAA Regionals and six have advanced to the NCAA National Championship meet. Marlon Woods was named the 2008 NCAA Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year.
During his tenure, Giles also tutored fi ve All-Americans. Since Giles assumed head coaching duties, both Woods and Corey Vinston earned All-American honors in the long jump at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championship. While Giles served as an assistant, he worked with All-Americans Desmond Kapofu in the triple jump, Adrian Shears in the high jump and Olympian Christopher Brown in the 400 meters. Sprinter Sean Holston, long jumper Darris Shelton and hurdler Aramis Massenburg all earned honorable mention All-America honors by the USTFCCCA in June of 2011.
For his success in cross country and track, Giles has been named MEAC Most Outstanding Coach 22 times. Giles coaches from his own running expertise. He was a stand-
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 15 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 COACHING STAFF CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
CoachRonda Berard is in her Berard earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1990 seventh year as women’s track and from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana- fi eld and cross country coach at Lafayette). She was a scholarship track athlete at USL, and also NSU. She also serves as assistant played on the women’s basketball team. Berard was a two-time director of track and fi eld programs. Sun Belt Conference champion in the discus throw, and at one In all, Berard is in her 16th year on time held the school’s shot put and discus records. the coaching staff in the NSU ath- letics department. Berard earned her master’s degree in special education/severe disabilities rehabilitation counseling from NSU in 1997. She is In 2009, Berard helped the Spartan also a 2008 graduate of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy. women’s cross country team win its fi rst-ever MEAC title. During track Berard, a Louisiana native, is a Diamond Lifetime member of Ronda Berard season, the Spartans won their Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is an active member of the Head Women’s fi rst MEAC indoor title since 2000, organization’s Chesapeake/Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter. Track/Cross Country and placed second at the confer- She is married to Patrick Berard Sr. They have two children: ence outdoor championship. The Patrick Jr. and Aronji. Spartans won another MEAC title in 2011 when they captured in the conference outdoor title.
In her fi rst year as head coach, Berard directed the Spartans to runner-up fi nishes in the 2005 MEAC Cross Country Champion- ship and in the 2006 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championship.
Prior to taking over the reins of the program from long-time coach LaVerne Sweat in 2005-06, Berard served as an assistant coach for the Spartans for 10 seasons. Berard’s tenure as an assistant included two other MEAC championships, the 2000 indoor and 2001 outdoor titles. Berard has helped coach two Division I All-Americans during her time at NSU: reigning 400- meter world champion Debbie Dunn, who earned a pair of All-American honors in 2000, and long jumper Tianna Goldring (2004).
Berard came to NSU from Granby High School, where she was the assistant track coach in 1994-95.
Cletus Griffi n is in his fourth year as After earning his bachelor’s degree in health, physical educa- a volunteer assistant track and cross tion and history from Akron in 1974, Griffi n earned a master’s in country coach at Norfolk State. health and physical education from Akron in 1976. Griffi n was He assists in coaching the long- also an assistant cross country and track coach for the Zips from distance runners and multi-event 1974-77. athletes. Griffi n then embarked on a successful high school coaching Griffi n, a former Division II All-Amer- career, fi rst in Ohio and then in Virginia Beach. He was the head ican, brings more than 15 years of cross country and track coach at Green Run High School from secondary and collegiate coaching 1984-89, winning four outdoor state championships. He then experience to the program. Griffi n moved over to another Virginia Beach High School, Salem, from was a standout long-distance run- 1990-92, winning multiple district and regional titles. Griffi n ner at Akron University. He was an produced 25 high school All-Americans during his tenure at Cletus Griffi n All-American in the 10,000 meters Green Run and Salem. Volunteer Assistant in 1972 and in cross country in 1973. Griffi n also met the Olympic Griffi n currently serves as an assistant principal at Frank W. Cox qualifying standards for the 10,000 High School in Virginia Beach. He resides in Virginia Beach with meters in 1972 and for the marathon in ‘76. his wife, Debra. The couple has one son, Jonathan, who runs for the Spartans.
16 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 ROSTERS CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER Name Ht. Cl. Hometown/Previous School Damtew Adnew 5-8 So. Springfi eld, Va./Robert E. Lee HS Vincent Brown 6-1 Jr. Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS Kameron George 5-10 Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y./Transit Tech Jonathan Griffi n 6-1 Gr. Virginia Beach, Va./Radford University Philemon Kimutai 5-9 Sr. Eldoret, Kenya/University of Wyoming Amos Kipkosgei 5-6 Sr. Eldoret, Kenya/New York Tech Nathnael Meseret 5-8 So. Dumfries, Va./Robert E. Lee HS Vincent Rono 5-7 Jr. Bomet, Kenya/Mogotio Secondary Josef Tessema 5-8 Sr. Springfi eld, Va./Robert E. Lee HS
Head Coach: Kenneth Giles Volunteer Assistant: Cletus Griffi n
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER Name Ht. Cl. Hometown/Previous School Ariel Bartice-Smith 5-5 Fr. Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan HS Syeeda Gee 5-1 Sr. Philadelphia, Pa./Engineering & Science HS Jamia Hutto 5-7 Sr. Orlando, Fla./Oak Ridge HS Kassandra Irizarry 4-10 Fr. Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton HS Kellen Rutto 5-7 Jr. Eldoret, Kenya/Moi Siongioi Girls HS Tyler Savage 5-7 So. New Kent, Va./New Kent HS
Head Coach: Ronda Berard Volunteer Assistant: Cletus Griffi n
Pronunciations MEN 1st Name Last Name PHIL-uh-mon KEY-moo-tie Amos Kip-KOSS-gay NOTH-na-el MESS-er-ett YO-seff TESS-uh-muh
WOMEN 1st Name Last Name Sigh-EED-uh JEE Juh-MEE-uh HUT-toe Kassandra Ear-iz-AIR-ee Kellen ROO-toe
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 17 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 OUTLOOK/SCHEDULE CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE NNSUSU MenMen GGearear upup fforor 3 RReturneeseturnees LeadLead AAnothernother TTitleitle RRunun YYoungoung WWomen’somen’s SSquadquad The Spartan men have won the last three MEAC titles and 10 The Spartan women placed third at the last year’s conference of the last 11. With their top seven runners, including fi ve All- championship after winning the title in 2009. NSU will rely MEAC performers, back from last year’s squad, expectations heavily on its three veterans – seniors Syeeda Gee and Jamia remain high for coach Kenneth Giles’ squad. Junior Vincent Hutto and junior Kellen Rutto – while incorporating two Rono and the senior trio of Josef Tessema, Amos Kipkosgei newcomers into the fold. Gee and Hutto are each three-year let- and Philemon Kimutai anchor the squad. Rono was the MEAC terwinners, and Hutto earned All-MEAC honors in 2009 before Championship runner-up last year, while Kipkosgei placed third just missing out (19th place) last season. and Tessema fourth. Kimutai, a two-time All-MEAC performer, was 12th and junior Kameron George was 13th at the MEAC Rutto was NSU’s top fi nisher at four of the six meets last year championship to also earn all-conference honors. and earned MEAC Athlete of the Week accolades three times. She placed fi fth at the MEAC championship, her second straight Giles also welcomes two new runners who he feels will have all-conference honor. an immediate impact. Newcomers Nathnael Meseret and Damtew Adnew attended NSU, but sat out last season. Both Head coach Ronda Berard is also excited about the potential are products of the same school – Robert E. Lee High in Spring- of her two newcomers, freshmen Ariel Bartice-Smith and Kas- fi eld – that produced Tessema. sandra Irizarry.
NSU fi nished 15th at last season’s NCAA Southeast Regional Sophomore Tyler Savage, who also lettered on last year’s meet after being ranked as high as eighth in the region during squad, adds depth to the roster. the season. 22011011 ScheduleSchedule
DDateate MMeeteet LLocationocation TTimeime SSept.ept. 3 M Marylandaryland EEasternastern ShoreShore PrincessPrincess Anne,Anne, MMd.d. 1 10:300:30 aa.m..m. LLid-Lifterid-Lifter
SSept.ept. 9 UUniversityniversity ooff VVirginiairginia EEarlysville,arlysville, Va.Va. 5 p.m.p.m. LLouou OnestyOnesty InvitationalInvitational
SSept.ept. 1177 M Marylandaryland EEasternastern ShoreShore PrincessPrincess Anne,Anne, MMd.d. 1 100 aa.m..m. CappyCappy AndersonAnderson InvitationalInvitational
SSept.ept. 2233 T Towsonowson IInvitationalnvitational ((W)W) T Towson,owson, MMd.d. 4 4:45:45 pp.m..m.
OOct.ct. 1 GreatGreat AAmericanmerican CCary,ary, NN.C..C. 1100 aa.m..m. CCrossross CCountryountry IInvitationalnvitational
OOct.ct. 1414 PanoramaPanorama FFarmsarms IInvitationalnvitational ((M)M) E Earlysville,arlysville, VVa.a. 4 pp.m..m. OOct.ct. 1515 WilliamWilliam & MaryMary TribeTribe OOpenpen ((W)W) W Williamsburg,illiamsburg, VVa.a. 1 10:150:15 aa.m..m.
OOct.ct. 2929 MEACMEAC ChampionshipChampionship PrincessPrincess Anne,Anne, MMd.d. 9 9:45:45 aa.m..m.
NNov.ov. 1122 NNCAACAA SoutheastSoutheast RegionalRegional Louisville,Louisville, Ky.Ky. TBATBA
NNov.ov. 2211 NNCAACAA ChampionshipChampionship TTerreerre Haute,Haute, Ind.Ind. TTBABA
TTimesimes aarere ssubjectubject ttoo cchangehange ((W)W) IndicatesIndicates oonlynly tthehe wwomen’somen’s tteameam wwillill ccompeteompete • ( (M)M) IIndicatesndicates oonlynly tthehe mmen’sen’s tteameam wwillill ccompeteompete
18 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
High School: All-Northern Region and All-Patriot District as a senior during cross country season…during indoor season, placed seventh in the region in the 3,200 meters…during outdoor season, fi nished third in the region and ninth at the state meet in the 3,200m…person- al-best high school times were 4:26 for the mile and 9:32 for two miles. Damtew Adnew Personal: Damtew Adnew was born on June 2, 1991…son of Brhena 5-5 Sophomore Derbew and Yeshimebet Yemer…majoring in electronic technology.
Springfi eld, Va. Personal Records Robert E. Lee HS Outdoor Mile: 4:26 (High School) 3,200 Meters: 9:32.12 (High School) 2010-11: Sat out at NSU as a non-qualifi er.
pionship, placing 27th…his best performance came at the Great American Cross Country Festival, where he placed 14th in a season- best time of 27:46. Indoor: Ran an indoor season-best 800m time of Vincent Brown 1:53.63, placing eighth at Penn State…that ranked as the fourth-fast- 6-1 Junior est time in the MEAC during indoor season…came in fourth in the 800m at the MEAC Indoor Championship (1:55.63). Outdoor: Set a Peachtree City, Ga. PR and fi nished 11th at the Sea Ray Relays in Tennessee (1:53.00)… brought home a fi fth-place fi nish in the 800 at the Morgan State McIntosh HS Legacy meet (1:55.20)…fi nished sixth at the MEAC Outdoor Champi- onship (1:54.54).
High School: Ran track and cross country as a senior at McIntosh… best 5K time was 16:51…was Georgia AAAA outdoor state 800-meter 2010-11: Cross Country: Ran a personal-best time of 27:28.60 to place champion in a then- personal-best 1:53.20…also won the AAU Junior 24th at the MEAC Championship…fi nished 16th overall at the 6K Olympic 800-meter title (1:54.71). Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge at William & Mary (20:03). Indoor: Placed third in the 800 meters at the MEAC Indoor Championship, Personal: Vincent Brown III was born on Dec. 27, 1990…son of Vin- earning all-conference recognition…clocked a time of 1:54.85 at the cent Brown Jr. and Leslie Brown…majoring in mathematics. MEAC meet…ran a season-best time of 1:54.78 to fi nish as runner-up at the Doug Raymond Invitational at Kent State. Outdoor: Ran a new Personal Records PR of 1:52.73 to place fi rst in the 800 prelims at the MEAC Outdoor Cross Country Championship…fi nished sixth in the 800 fi nals at the conference meet 8,000 Meters: 27:28.60 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) (1:56.78)…ran a time of 1:53.30 at the Florida Relays…fi nished fi fth in Indoor 1:53.93 at Morgan State…placed seventh in the 1,500 at the Raleigh 800 Meters: 1:53.63 (2010 Penn State National) Relays (4:01.31). Outdoor 800 Meters: 1:52.73 (2011 MEAC Outdoor) 2009-10: Cross Country: Ran a time of 28:39.60 at the MEAC Cham-
in the mile run at the Hokie Invitational…clocked a 4:28.13 to place 10th at the CNU Vince Brown Invitational…crossed the fi nish line in eighth place in the 3,000 meters at Penn State in a season-best time of Kameron George 9:00.46…fi nished 10th in the 3,000 at the MEAC Indoor Championship 5-10 Junior (9:11.50). Outdoor: Ran a season-best 1,500m time of 4:04.71 at the Raleigh Relays, fi nishing in 26th place…came in eighth in the 1,500 at Brooklyn, N.Y. the MEAC Outdoor Championship, running a 4:07.76. Transit Tech 2009-10: Cross Country: Ran a time of 28:01.93 at the MEAC Cham- pionship, placing 21st…placed 10th at the Great American Cross Country Festival with a season-best time of 26:50, the 12th-fastest time in the MEAC in 2009. Indoor: Placed fourth in the 3,000m at CNU 2010-11: Cross Country: Earned All-MEAC honors with a 13th-place (8:55.42)…ran a PR in the mile at Penn State (4:23.86) and fi nished fi nish at the conference championship…covered the 8K course in a 15th…bested that with a clocking of 4:21.87 to earn sixth place at the personal-best time of 26:13.40…fi nished 22nd at the U.Va. Lou Onesty MEAC Indoor Championship…placed 11th in the 3,000m. Outdoor: Invitational (26:55.99)…fi nished 10th at the Great American Cross Finished 15th while running his season-best 1,500m time of 4:03.41 at Country Invitational (26:38)…was 13th at the Colonial Inter-Region the Sea Ray Relays…placed ninth at the MEAC Outdoor Championship Challenge (19:47 for 6K). Indoor: Ran a season-best time of 4:28.10 in the 1,500 and 13th in the 3,000m steeplechase.
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 19 NORFOLKNORFOLK STATE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY 2011 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSSCROSS COUNTRY COUNTRY MEDIA MEDIA GUIDE GUIDE
High School: Lettered two years in track and one in cross coun- Personal Records try…was the New York Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) city cross Cross Country country champion as a senior (16:30 for 5K)…also won both the mile 8,000 Meters: 26:13.40 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) (4:29) and two-mile (9:34) as a senior during indoor track season at the Indoor PSAL championships…PRs in those events are 4:24 and 9:30…won Mile: 4:21.87 (2010 MEAC ID) national titles in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at the 2008 AAU Club 3,000 Meters: 8:55.42 (2010 CNU Vince Brown Invite) Championships in Orlando, Fla. Outdoor 1,500 Meters: 4:03.41 (2010 Sea Ray Relays) Personal: Kameron E. George was born on Sept. 22, 1991…son of 3,000 Meter Steeplechase: 10:49.51 (2010 MEAC OD) Joseph and Pamela George…majoring in electronic engineering.
1,500 at the Tribe Open (4:14.49)…was 13th in the 800m at the same meet, crossing in 2:20.29.
Jonathan Griffi n 2009-10: Indoor: Competed in the 800m at the Maryland Invitational. 6-2 Graduate Student Outdoor: Ran the 800m at Wake Forest and Morgan State. Virginia Beach, Va. 2008-09: Earned his fi rst varsity letter at NSU during cross country Radford University/Kellam HS season. Personal: Jonathan Orion Griffi n was born on March 7, 1989…son of Debra Griffi n and Cletus Griffi n, who is a volunteer assistant coach at NSU…majoring in sociology.
2010-11: Cross Country: Finished the 6K course in 22:07 at the Personal Records Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge…ran an 8K time of 29:19 at the Cross Country Great American XC Invitational…best 8K time was a 28:36.90 at the 8,000 Meters: 28:36.90 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) MEAC Championship, good for 38th place. Indoor: Placed fi fth at the Outdoor Captain’s Classic in the 800 meters (2:03.93). Outdoor: Ran an 800m 800 Meters: 1:59.89 (2011 Sea Ray Relays) PR of 1:59.89 at the Sea Ray Relays, placing 22nd…came in sixth in the
and the 5,000 (14:53.09).
Philemon Kimutai 2009-10: Cross Country: MEAC Championship runner-up with a time 5-9 Senior of 25:46…three-time MEAC Cross Country Athlete of the Week…won the HBCU Challenge section of the Great American Cross Country Fes- Eldoret, Kenya tival in a personal-best time of 24:46…that was the fastest time in the University of Wyoming MEAC for the season…also placed fi rst at William and Mary’s Colonial Inter-Regional meet (25:29) and second at U.Va.’s Lou Onesty Invita- Kapcherop Secondary tional (25:00.10). Indoor: Named the Most Outstanding Runner at the 2010 MEAC Indoor Championship after having a hand in 26.5 NSU points…MEAC champion in the mile (4:16.24)…was conference run- 2010-11: Cross Country: Earned All-MEAC status for the second ner-up in the 5,000 (15:19.91) and placed third in the 3,000 (8:51.52)… straight year with a 12th-place fi nish at the MEAC Championship also ran the anchor leg on the victorious distance medley relay team (26:06.20)…started off the season with a fourth-place fi nish at the (10:14.08)…ran a season-best 3,000m time of 8:30 at George Mason, UMES Lid-Lifter (25:48.63)…placed 10th at the Lou Onesty Invita- fi nishing in fourth place…won the 5,000m at Virginia Tech in a MEAC tional the following week (25:57.45)…came in sixth in the 6K Colonial season-best clocking of 14:45.51…also ran on the DMR team that Inter-Region Challenge (18:49)…was eighth at the Great American posted a season-best time of 10:11.08 at Penn State. Outdoor: Earned meet (8K, 26:16.40). Indoor: Won the 3,000 meters at the Penn State three top-three fi nishes at the MEAC Outdoor Championship…was National, running an indoor PR of 8:28.28…placed fourth in the second in the 5,000m (15:09.46) and third in the 1,500m (season-best same event at the CNU Holiday Open (8:34.65)…placed fourth in the 3:54.77) and 3,000m steeplechase (9:46.79)…took third place in the 5,000 meters at the Hokie Invitational in 14:54.27, the top time in the steeplechase in 9:28.46 at Wake Forest, which was his fastest clocking MEAC in 2011…at the MEAC Indoor Championship, was runner-up of the season…season-best 5,000m time was 14:46.65 at William & in the 3,000 (8:53.72), third in the mile (4:22.54) and sixth in the 5,000 Mary. (15:44.91). Outdoor: Ran a season-best 5,000m time of 14:29.82 to take sixth place at the Raleigh Relays…earned three top-four fi nishes at the At Wyoming: Lettered two years in track and one in cross country at MEAC Outdoor Championship, earning NSU a total of 16 points…ran a Wyoming…as a sophomore in 2008-09, Kimutai ran a personal-best PR of 9:25.51 to take third in the 3,000m steeplechase at the confer- time of 3:45.23 in the 1,500 meters to win fi rst place at the Gem City ence championship…also fi nished fourth in both the 1,500 (3:58.24) Dual and attain a regional qualifying mark during outdoor season…
20 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE fi nished fourth in the 1,500 meters at the Mountain West Conference Personal Records Championship (3:49.40)…best 5,000-meter time was 14:21.99 a the Cross Country Oregon Relays…also took fi rst place in the 3,000 meters at the Gem 8,000 Meters: 24:46 (2010 Great American) City Dual (8:19.01, PR)…top 8K time in cross country was 27:04 during Indoor his one season on the Cowboys’ cross country team (2008). Mile: 4:16.24 (2010 MEAC ID) 3,000 Meters: 8:28.28 (2011 Penn State National) Personal: Philemon Kibor Kimutai was born on Dec. 2, 1985…son of 5,000 Meters: 14:45.51 (2010 Va. Tech Invite) Benjamin and Gladys Kimutai…majoring in accounting. Outdoor 1,500 Meters: 3:45.23 (2009 Gem City Dual) 3,000 Meter SC: 9:25.51 (2011 MEAC OD) 5,000 Meters: 14:21.99 (2009 Gem City Dual)
(14:58.23)…MEAC outdoor runner-up in the 1,500m (season-best 3:53.60) and the 3,000m steeplechase (9:34.82)…placed fourth in the 1,500 at Wake Forest (3:54.93)…was 10th in the 5,000 at the Raleigh Amos Kipkosgei Relays…ran the MEAC’s fastest 5,000m time and established his own 5-6 Senior PR with a time of 14:29.83 at the Sea Ray Relays, where he fi nished fi fth…also fi nished eighth in the collegiate section of the 5,000m at Eldoret, Kenya the Penn Relays (14:32.19).
New York Tech/Tulon HS At New York Tech: 2008 East Coast Conference Cross Country cham- pion…fi nished the 8K course in 26:47.63…named ECC Runner of the Year Award and named to the all-conference fi rst team…ran a season- best time of 25:41 to fi nish fi fth at the Paul Short Invitational…did not run track at New York Tech, but has run a top 1,500-meter time of 2010-11: Cross Country: Placed third overall and second among 3:51.37. Spartan runners with a 25:43.68 at the UMES Lid-Lifter to begin the season…fi nished sixth overall the following week at the Lou Onesty Personal: Amos Kipkosgei was born on June 3, 1984…son of Isaack Invitational (25:34.65)…crossed the fi nish line third overall and third and Milka Sitienei…majoring in nursing. on the team with a 6K time of 18:34 at the Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge…was also third among the Spartans and third overall at the Personal Records Great American Invitational (25:06.1)…earned All-MEAC honors for Cross Country the second consecutive year with a personal-best 8K time of 24:58.90, 8,000 Meters: 24:58.90 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) good enough for third place at the conference championship. Indoor: Indoor Registered top-fi ve fi nishes in all three distance races at the MEAC Mile: 4:17.86 (2010 MEAC ID) Indoor Championship…ran a PR of 15:04.66 to fi nish second to team- 3,000 Meters: 8:32.31 (2010 Penn State National) mate Josef Tessema in the 5,000 meters…also fi nished third in the 5,000 Meters: 15:04.66 (2011 MEAC ID) 3,000m (8:55.14) and was fi fth in the mile (4:28.91)…in addition, ran Outdoor the anchor leg to help the distance medley relay team win the MEAC 1,500 Meters: 3:51.37 (pre-college) title in that event (10:17.17)…posted a season-best time of 4:24.81 in 3,000 Meter SC: 9:25.32 (2011 MEAC OD) the mile to take 10th place at Penn State…ran a season-best time of 5,000 Meters: 14:29.83 (2010 Sea Ray Relays) 8:48.59 in the 3,000 meters at the CNU Vince Brown Invitational, fi nish- ing as runner-up. Outdoor: Was MEAC runner-up in three events to help the Spartans to the team title…ran a PR of 9:25.32 to take second place in the 3,000m steeplechase…posted a time of 14:46.38 to fi nish second in the 5,000m, and clocked a 3:56.81 to take runner-up in the 1,500m…took 14th place in the 5,000 meters at the Penn Relays in a season-best time of 14:46.34.
2009-10: Cross Country: Placed fourth overall at the MEAC Champi- onship with a time of 26:02…earned All-MEAC honors…ran a time of season-best time of 25:11 to fi nish third overall at the Great American Cross Country Festival…the 25:11 was the third-fastest time of the year in the MEAC…also placed seventh at the UMES Lid-Lifter (26:22). Indoor: MEAC Indoor champion in the 5,000m (15:18)…took third place in the 5,000 at Virginia Tech (15:04.83)…came in fourth in the 3,000m at Penn State and posted the MEAC’s second-fastest time of the indoor season (8:32.31)…placed fourth in that event at the confer- ence indoor meet (8:53.43)…was MEAC runner-up, behind teammate Philemon Kimutai, in the mile run (4:17.86). Outdoor: Named Most Outstanding Performer at the conference outdoor meet…won the 5,000m to complete a personal indoor-outdoor sweep of that event
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 21 NORFOLKNORFOLK STATESTATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY 20112011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSSCROSS COUNTRYCOUNTRY MEDIAMEDIA GUIDEGUIDE
state indoor meet in the 3,200 (9:24)…his personal-best time of 9:18 in the 3,200m earned him ninth place at the Nike Indoor Nationals and ranked him among the top 20 fastest times in the nation…was Nathnael Meseret Northern Region outdoor champion in the 1,600 (4:19)…at the state 5-8 Sophomore outdoor meet, placed ninth in the 1,600 and third in the 3,200.
Springfi eld, Va. Personal: Nathnael Degu Meseret was born on June 24, 1991…son of Robert E. Lee HS Degu Meseret and Burtecane Reta…majoring in electronic engineer- ing.
Personal Records Outdoor 2010-11: Sat out at NSU as a non-qualifi er. Mile: 4:26 (High School) 3,200 Meters: 9:32.12 (High School) High School: All-district, all-region and all-state performer as a senior at Robert E. Lee…Patriot District cross country champion as both a Personal Records junior and senior…placed fi fth at the Northern Region cross country Indoor championship and 16th at the state meet as a senior…during indoor 3,200 Meters: 9:18.16 (High School) track season, won both the 1,600 (4:23) and 3,200 (9:29) champion- Outdoor ships at the Northern Region meet…also took third place at the Mile: 4:18.28 (High School)
2009-10: Cross Country: Earned All-MEAC honors by placing seventh at the conference championship in a time of 26:30…season-best time was 25:40.70, which earned him 11th place at the Lou Onesty Invita- Vincent Rono tional. Indoor: Redshirted. Outdoor: Ran a season-best 5,000m time 5-7 Junior of 14:43.29 in fi nishing 10th at the Sea Ray Relays…took third place at the MEAC Outdoor Championship in 15:12.29. Bomet, Kenya 2008-09: Indoor: Ran an indoor school-record time of 14:33.15 to Mogotio Secondary win the 5,000 meters at the Hampton Invitational in his collegiate debut…named the MEAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week for that performance…at the MEAC Indoor Championship, placed fi fth in the 5,000 and seventh in the 3,000. Outdoor: Season-best outdoor time in the 5,000 meters was 15:50.81 at the Wake Forest Open. 2010-11: Cross Country: Finished as the MEAC runner-up at the conference cross country championship in a personal-best 8K time of Before NSU: Top time in the 5,000 was 14:43…has run a personal-best 24:40.90…won the individual title and earned MEAC Runner of the of 30:16 in the 10,000 meters. Week accolades after running a time of 25:30.19 at the UMES Lid-Lifter to open the season…clocked a 25:24.91 to fi nish fi fth overall and Personal: Vincent Kipkemoi Rono was born on June 22, 1986…son of second on the squad the following week at U.Va…placed second on Daniel and Selina Chepckwony…majoring in physics. the 6K course at the Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge (18:33)…broke 25 minutes on an 8K course for the fi rst time in his career with a time Personal Records of 24:59.5 to place second overall at Great American…led NSU runners Cross Country with a 40th-place fi nish at the 10K NCA Southeast Regional (31:50.50). 8,000 Meters: 24:40.90 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) Indoor: Finished top-fi ve in the both the 3,000m (fi fth, 8:59.81) and Indoor the 5,000m (fourth, 15:28.40) at the MEAC Indoor Championship…fi n- 3,000 Meters: 8:54.71 (2011 Hokie Invite) ished seventh in the 3,000 at Virginia Tech’s Hokie Invitational in 5,000 Meters: 14:33.15 (2009 Hampton Invite) an indoor PR of 8:54.71. Outdoor: Placed sixth in both the 3,000m Outdoor steeplechase (9:45.42) and the 5,000 meters (15:13.15) at the MEAC 3,000m SC: 9:45.42 (2011 MEAC OD) Outdoor Championship…ran a season-best 5,000m time of 15:10.68 5,000 Meters: 14:43.29 (2010 Sea Ray Relays) at the Raleigh Relays, fi nishing 21st.
22 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
2009-10: Cross Country: All-MEAC cross country runner, placing ninth at the championship meet (26:43 in 8K)…led NSU with a 60th-place fi nish out of 231 runners at the 10K NCAA Southeast Regional. Indoor: Josef Tessema Ran the MEAC’s fastest time and a school-record time in the mile at 5-8 Senior Penn State (4:13.14), taking fi rst place…fi nished 11th in the 3,000m at Maryland (8:50.86)…ran a 5,000m time of 15:05.52 to take fourth place Springfi eld, Va. at Virginia Tech…at the conference championship, placed fourth in the mile (4:20.77), fi fth in the 5,000m (15:32.78), second in the 3,000m Robert E. Lee HS (8:50.38) and ran a leg on the winning distance medley relay team (10:14.08). Outdoor: Conference champion in the 1,500m (3:52.88)… ran his fastest time at the Sea Ray Relays, where he fi nished eighth (3:51.94)…posted the conference’s fourth-fastest 5,000m clocking at 2010-11: Cross Country: Earned his third All-MEAC honor in a row the Penn Relays (14:47.61)…took fi fth place in the 5,000m at the MEAC with a fourth-place fi nish (25:00.60) at the conference championship Outdoor Championship (15:22.26). meet…led NSU to the team title at the U.Va. Lou Onesty Invitational with a fi rst-place fi nish of 25:03.25…earned MEAC Runner of the Week 2008-09: Cross Country: An All-MEAC cross country performer… honors for that performance, his fi rst of three such awards during the placed fourth at the MEAC championship (25:59). Indoor: Ran the season…also earned MEAC weekly accolades with a fi rst-place eff ort MEAC’s fastest time in the mile during indoor season, with a winning at the Colonial Inter-Regional Challenge…fi nished the 6K Colonial time of 4:14.91 at Penn State…other best indoor times were 8:48 course in 18:27, again leading NSU to a team title…clocked a personal- in the 3,000 meters and 15:37 in the 5,000…fi nished second in the best time of 24:47.80 to again fi nish fi rst and spearhead a Spartan mile at the MEAC Indoor Championship (4:21.86)…placed fourth in victory at the Great American Cross Country Invitational, picking up the 3,000 (8:55.48) and ninth in the 5,000 (16:11). Outdoor: Tessema his third MEAC weekly honor in the process. Indoor: Claimed three ran the second-fastest 1,500 time in the MEAC with his 3:53.43 at the individual titles and ran a leg on the victorious distance medley team Raleigh Relays…ran a time of 15:15.17 in the 5,000 at Wake Forest, to earn MEAC Indoor Most Outstanding Runner honors at the confer- his best eff ort of the season…at the MEAC Outdoor Championship, ence indoor meet…clocked a PR of 15:03.24 to win the MEAC indoor placed fourth in the 1,500 (4:01.97) and eighth in the 5,000 (15:57.05). 5,000m title…won the mile in 4:16.32 and the 3,000 in 8:51.49…ran the lead-off (1,200m) leg on the MEAC championship DMR team that 2007-08: Attended NSU, but sat out the season as a non-qualifi er. clocked a 10:17.17…earlier in the year, set school records in both the mile and the 3,000…ran a 4:12.75 to break his own school record in Personal Records the mile and earn 13th place at the Penn State National…clocked a Cross Country school-record 8:27.76 at the CNU Holiday Open to fi nish as runner-up. 8,000 Meters: 24:47.80 (2010 Great American) Outdoor: Ran a PR of 14:46.85 in taking third place in the 5,000 at the Indoor MEAC Outdoor Championship…also placed third at the conference Mile: 4:12.75 (2011 Penn State National)* outdoor meet in the 1,500 (3:56.82)…clocked a season-best 1,500 time 3,000 Meters: 8:27.76 (2010 CNU Holiday Open)* of 3:52.79 and took fourth place at the Sea Ray Relays…ran a 3:55.35 5,000 Meters: 15:03.24 (2011 MEAC ID) at the Florida Relays…won the 5,000 in a time of 15:00.25 at the Tribe Outdoor Open. 1,500 Meters: 3:51.94 (2010 Sea Ray Relays) 5,000 Meters: 14:46.85 (2011 MEAC OD)
* School Record
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 23 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
High School: Four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track and fi eld…placed fi fth at the Peninsula District cross country meet as a senior, helping the Warriors win the district title…a second-team Ariel Bartice-Smith Daily Press All-Star in the 800 meters as a senior…won the district 800 5-5 Freshman and 1,000 meter races as a freshman.
Hampton, Va. Personal: Ariel Shannon Bartice-Smith was born on April 11, 1993… Kecoughtan HS daughter of Julia Long Wheeler…majoring in biology/pre-med.
Country Festival HBCU Challenge by fi nishing 11th in 20:37. Indoor: Helped the Spartans place fourth at the MEAC Indoor meet in the dis- tance medley relay (12.36.79). Outdoor: Ran the 800 and 1,500 meters Syeeda Gee during outdoor season. 5-1 Senior 2008-09: Cross Country: Ran a season-best 5K time of 19:47.47 at the Philadelphia, Va. UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational. Indoor: Was NSU’s second fi nisher in the 800 meters at the MEAC Indoor Championship, fi nishing the Engineering & Science HS race in 2:30.75. Outdoor: Came in seventh in the 1,500 (5:23.67) and ninth in the 800 (2:36.12) at the Hampton Relays…ran a 5:16.91 in the 1,500 at the MEAC outdoor meet.
2010-11: Cross Country: Finished 10th overall at the season-opening High School: Set her personal best in the 5K in 19:40 as a senior in UMES Lid-Lifter (21:33.87)…came in 29th place at the MEAC Champi- 2007…fi nished fourth in the 800 in 2:17.79 (PR) at the 2007 PTFCA onship (20:22.70). Indoor: Ran the lead-off leg on NSU’s eighth-place Indoor State Championship…ran a personal-best 5:10.94 in the mile distance medley relay team at the MEAC Indoor Championship…ran at the 2007 PIAA Outdoor State Championship. a season-best time of 2:28.45 in the 800, placing 16th at Kent State’s Doug Raymond Invitational…placed seventh in the 1,000m at George Personal: Syeeda Yvette Gee…born on July 17, 1990…daughter of Mason and was eighth in the mile at the CNU Holiday Open. Outdoor: Jamila Cross and Chester Grahan…majoring in biology. Ran NSU’s fastest 1,500m time of the season, clocking a 5:10.86 for a 14th-place fi nish at the Tribe Open…fi nished 19th in the same event Personal Bests at the MEAC outdoor meet. Cross Country 5,000 Meters: 19:47.47 (2008 UMES Cappy Anderson) 2009-10: Cross Country: Ran a time of 21:31.02 at the MEAC Champi- Outdoor onship…helped NSU win the team title at the Great American Cross 1,500 Meters: 4:47 (High School)
1,500m (5:04.50) at the Sea Ray Relays…placed seventh at the MEAC Outdoor Championship in the 5,000 and ninth in the steeplechase.
Jamia Hutto 2008-09: Cross Country: Just missed All-MEAC honors at the MEAC 5-7 Senior Cross Country Championship when she fi nished 16th in 19:16. Indoor: Ran on the distance medley team that posted a season-best time of Orlando, Fla. 12:31.28 and fi nished third at the MEAC Indoor Championship…fi n- ished 13th in the mile (5.25.45) and 10th in the 3,000 (11:06.06) at the Oak Ridge HS MEAC Indoor Championship. Outdoor: Ran 20:46.90 in the 5,000 and 5:17.49 in the 1,500 at the outdoor championship.
High School: Ran a personal-best time of 18:31.16 in the 5K…won 2010-11: Cross Country: Placed 15th at the UMES Lid-Lifter the state title in the mile (4:56.96, PR) as a sophomore…had personal- (22:54.53)…fi nished 22nd at the UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational bests of 57.34 in the 400, 2:14.07 in the 800 and 10:39.11 in the 3K. in 20:29…fi nished 15th in 20:38 at Great American…capped off her season with a 19th-place fi nish at the MEAC Championship (season- Personal: Jamia Renae Hutto…born on Aug. 6, 1990…daughter of best 19:38.60). Indoor: Did not compete. Outdoor: Placed 12th in both Cleo and Camille Hutto…majoring in graphic design. the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase at the MEAC Championship. Personal Records 2009-10: Cross Country: Earned All-MEAC honors by fi nishing 15th Cross Country in 19:52.55 at the MEAC Championship. Indoor: Ran a leg on NSU’s 5,000m: 18:31.16 (High School) 4x800 relay team which posted the fourth-fastest time in the MEAC Indoor (12:35.71)…also ran a leg on the Spartans’ distance medley relay team Mile: 4:56.96 (High School) which came in fourth at the MEAC Indoor Championship (12:36.79). Outdoor Outdoor: Ran her season and college-best 5,000-meter time of 1,500m: 4:52.40 (High School) 19:45.44 at the Colonial Relays…ran a season and college-best in the 3,000m SC: 13:06.35 (2010 MEAC OD) 5,000m: 19:45.44 (2010 Colonial Relays) 24 WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 RUNNER PROFILES CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
High School: Four-year letterwinner in both track and cross country… was a two-time all-conference cross country performer…high school Kassandra Irizarry PR was 19:32 for 5,000 meters. 4-10 Freshman Personal: Kassandra Marie Irizarry was born on July 28, 1993…daugh- Bridgeton, N.J. ter of Barbara Irizarry…majoring in nursing. Bridgeton HS
outdoor meet in the 5,000m (18:57.73).
2009-10: Cross Country: Finished sixth at the MEAC Cross Country Kellen Rutto Championship in 19:00.57 to help the Spartans to their fi rst-ever 5-6 Junior conference title…earned All-MEAC honors at the cross country championship…paced the Spartans at the NCAA Southeast Regional Eldoret, Kenya by fi nishing the 6K course in 22:44.56. Indoor: Finished third in the 3,000 meters at the MEAC Indoor Championship in a season-best time Moi Siongiroi Girls HS of 10:39.46. Outdoor: Ran a season-best 5,000-meter time of 18:28.89 at Wake Forest…placed third in the 3,000m steeplechase at the MEAC Outdoor Championship (11:34.54)…was fourth in the 5,000 meters (18:55.55). 2010-11: Cross Country: All-MEAC for the second straight year after placing fi fth at the conference championship meet…ran a personal- High School: Posted career-best times of 22:41 in the 6K and 4:47 in best 5K cross country time of 18:31.50 at the MEAC meet to help the the 1,500. Spartans to a third-place fi nish…earned three MEAC Athlete of the Week awards during the season, following the UMES Lid-Lifter and Personal: Kellen Cherotich Rutto…born on Dec. 29, 1987…daugh- both meets at William & Mary…was the individual winner at the ter of Alexander and Elizabeth Rutto…majoring nursing…wants to UMES Lid-Lifter (19:31.75)…fi nished 12th overall at U.Va…was fi fth become a nurse. overall, second on NSU, in 18:57.53 at the UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational…also placed 12th overall at the 2.5-mile Colonial Inter-Re- Personal Bests gional Challenge at W&M (15:11)…placed second overall at the Great Cross Country American XC Invitational (19:05.8), helping NSU fi nish third out of 19 5,000 Meters: 18:31.50 (2010 MEAC XC Champ.) teams…fi nished fourth at the Tribe Open in 23:08 for the 6K course. Indoor Indoor: Ran a season-best 3,000m time of 10:54.94 at Penn State, Mile: 5:26.63 (2010 Va. Tech Invitational) placing 14th…ran a season-best 5,000m time of 18:52.52 to win the 3,000 Meters: 10:39.46 (2010 MEAC ID) event at the CNU Holiday Open…at the MEAC Indoor Championship, Outdoor placed seventh in the 5,000m, 11th in the 3,000m and ran a leg on the 1,500 Meters: 4:47 (High School) eighth-place distance medley relay team. Outdoor: Ran an outdoor PR 3,000m Steeplechase: 11:34.54 (2010 MEAC OD) of 18:26.86 to earn 16th place at the Raleigh Relays…MEAC outdoor 5,000 Meters: 18:26.86 (2011 Raleigh Relays) champion in the steeplechase…also placed fi fth at the conference
High School: Lettered three years in track and two in basketball… state meet qualifi er in the 4x100, 4x800 and 800 meters…member of the 4x800 relay team which set a school record of 10:00…fi nished Tyler Savage eighth at the state outdoor meet in the 800 as a senior…helped the 5-7 Sophomore 4x100 and 4x800 relay teams place eighth in the state during her junior season…state qualifi er in the 4x400 as a sophomore. New Kent, Va. Personal: Tyler Leigh Savage was born on Nov. 19, 1991…daughter of New Kent HS Leroy Savage III and Sybil Savage…plans to major in psychology.
Personal Bests Cross Country 2010-11: Cross Country: Ran a time of 22:55 to fi nish 47th at the 5,000 Meters: 22:16 (2010 MEAC XC Championship) UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational…season-best 5K eff ort was her Indoor 22:16 at the MEAC Championship, good for 57th place. Indoor: Ran 800 Meters: 2:37.49 (2011 Vince Brown Invite) a leg on NSU’s eighth-place distance medley relay team at the MEAC Outdoor Indoor Championship…also competed in the 800 meters at the con- 800 Meters: 2:35.73 (2011 Tribe Open) ference indoor meet. Outdoor: Came in 12th place in the 800 at the Tribe Open (season-best 2:35.73).
WWW.NSUSPARTANS.COM 25 NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 2010 IN REVIEW CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE SSpartanpartan MMenen WWinin 33rdrd NNSUSU WomenWomen PPlacelace 3rd3rd MMEACEAC TitleTitle iinn a RRowow aatt MMEACEAC ChampionshipChampionship The Norfolk State men’s cross country team extended its The NSU women’s cross country team placed third at the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference dominance, winning its third MEAC Cross Country championship on Saturday, Oct. 30, on the straight conference championship and 10th in the last 11 years campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. Hampton won the women’s on Oct. 30, 2010 on the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. title with 52 points, South Carolina State was second with 85 points, and the Spartan women were third with 92. The Spartan men tallied 34 points, well ahead of second-place UMES (85). Each of the top fi ve fi nishers for the NSU men fi n- The Spartan women had two All-MEAC fi nishers. Senior Jen- ished in the top 15, earning All-MEAC honors. They were led by nifer Chichester earned her fourth consecutive all-conference sophomore Vincent Rono, who ran a personal-best 8,000-me- honor, fi nishing third overall in 18:26.80 on the 5K course. ter time of 24 minutes, 40.90 seconds to fi nish second overall. Sophomore Kellen Rutto fi nished fi fth in a personal-best 5,000- Junior Amos Kipkosgei was third in a PR of 24:58.90, and Josef meter time of 18:31.50. Tessema placed fourth in 25:00.60. Rounding out NSU’s top fi ve were Jamia Hutto in 19th place Rounding out the Spartans’ top fi ve and All-MEAC contingent (19:38.60), Syeeda Gee in 29th (20:22.70) and Lillian Morales- were Philemon Kimutai in 12th place (26:06.20) and Kameron Gonzalez in 36th (21:05.80). George in 13th in 26:13.40.
Though they did not factor into the team score, Vincent Brown, Jonathan Griffi n and Anthony Tillman all ran person- al-best times for the Spartans.
NSU also ran at the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13, hosted by the University of Louisville. The Spartans placed 15th as a team, with Rono taking 40th place out of more than 230 runners with a 10K time of 31:50.5.
2010 MEAC Men’s Cross Country Championship 2010 MEAC Women’s Cross Country Championship Oct. 30, 2010 Oct. 30, 2010 Princess Anne, Md. (Hosted by UMES) Princess Anne, Md. (Hosted by UMES) Team Results Team Results 1. Norfolk State 34 1. Hampton 52 2. UMES 85 2. South Carolina State 85 3. Howard 92 3. Norfolk State 92 4. Hampton 112 4. Delaware State 113 5. Florida A&M 120 5. UMES 121 6. Delaware State 125 6. Howard 149 7. North Carolina A&T 199 7. North Carolina A&T 174 8. South Carolina State 203 8. Florida A&M 177 9. Morgan State 219 9. Morgan State 213 10. Coppin State 226 10. Coppin State 244 11. Bethune-Cookman 255 11. Bethune-Cookman 302
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NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY 2011 MEAC HISTORY CROSS COUNTRY MEDIA GUIDE
THE MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS The MEAC has enjoyed tremendous athletic success over the years. In 2008, The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) begins its 42nd year of intercollegiate Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) defeated Arkansas State 4-2 to win the NCAA Women’s competition during into the 2011-12 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the Bowling National Championship, a fi rst for the conference and institution. The Lady Hawks MEAC is made up of 13 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coast- repeated the feat in 2011 to win the team’s second NCAA title. During the same season, line: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, UMES won the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Champion- Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, University of Maryland ships (ITC), becoming the fi rst team to win two national championships during the same Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State season. University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University and South Carolina In men’s basketball, UMES became the fi rst historically black college/university State University. (HBCU) to participate in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1974. The Hawks The MEAC sponsors 15 Division I (FCS) sports with automatic qualifying bids for defeated Manhattan, 84-81, in the fi rst round before falling to Jacksonville by two points in NCAA postseason competition in baseball, bowling, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s the second round. Before the Jacksonville loss, UMES had the best record in the nation at and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track 27-1. That same year, Morgan State won the NCAA College Division II National Champion- and fi eld, softball and volleyball. ship and junior center Marvin “The Human Eraser” Webster was named the Division II MEAC student-athletes excel on and off the fi eld and several have been recognized Player of the Year. The 1981 tournament champion Howard Bison became the fi rst MEAC on ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America and All-District teams. The MEAC team to play in the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship. awards two post-graduate scholarships of $5,000 each annually to one male and one Coppin State and Hampton made history in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball female student-athlete who have excelled academically and athletically and are in their Tournament with fi rst-round victories. The No. 15 seeded Coppin State Eagles defeated No. fi nal season of intercollegiate athletics eligibility and competition under MEAC and NCAA 2 South Carolina in 1997, and No. 15 seeded Hampton defeated No. 2 Iowa State in 2001. regulations. ESPN Sports Center ranked both victories ranked among the Top 10 greatest tournament upsets of all time HISTORY In women’s basketball, South Carolina State won the Association for Intercollegiate In 1969, a bold ad hoc group of innovators long associated with intercollegiate athlet- Athletics for Women (AIAW) Division II National Championship in 1979. In 1982, Howard ics met in Durham, N.C., to discuss the feasibility of organizing a new conference. From became the fi rst MEAC women’s team to participate in the NCAA Division I Women’s these discussions, they formed a steering and planning committee to fully investigate the Basketball Championship. SCSU earned the conference’s bid in 1983 and became the idea, present a detailed report with recommendations to interested collegiate institutions fi rst MEAC team, men or women, to win an opening-round game in the NCAA Division I and construct a workshop to outline proposals. Basketball Tournament. After selecting a proposal and adopting a program, seven institutions (Delaware In 2010, The North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies defeated Wake Forest and Charlotte State College, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State before falling to Miami in the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University and (WNIT). North Carolina A&T became the fi rst MEAC team and historically black college/ South Carolina State College) agreed to become the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. university to win two consecutive basketball games in a national postseason tournament. Their major objective was to establish, organize and supervise an intercollegiate athletic The No. 13 Hampton Lady Pirates faced No. 4 Kentucky in the 2011 NCAA Division I program among a compact group of educational institutions of high academic standards Women’s Basketball Tournament. The 13th seed was the highest seed earned by a MEAC with a sound philosophy of co-curricular activities. The conference agreed to seek Division women’s basketball program since the inception of the 64-team bracket in 1994. I status for its sports. In football, the MEAC was instrumental in constructing the Freedom Bowl All-Star The conference was confi rmed in 1970, kicking off its fi rst season of competition in Classic, the Heritage Bowl and the Gold Bowl. Prior to Division I competition, the MEAC football in 1971. competed in the Gold Bowl, held in Richmond, Va., which matched the MEAC champion In 1978, the MEAC reached a milestone when it selected Kenneth A. Free to be its against the champion of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). South fi rst full-time commissioner. Free served the conference for 18 years before stepping down Carolina State represented the MEAC in 1976 and 1979, winning both outings over Winston- in May of 1996. In July 1996, Charles S. Harris was named commissioner and served in the Salem State and Norfolk State respectively. In addition to the 1976 and 1979 crowns, South capacity until April 2002. On September 1, 2002, Dr. Dennis E. Thomas was named commis- Carolina State won MEAC football titles in 1974-78, 1980-83, 1994, 2004, 2008 and 2009. The sioner and has served in the position for nine years. Bulldogs were also named co-champions along with Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M The conference’s fi rst expansion occurred in October 1979 when Bethune-Cookman in 2010. College and Florida A&M University were voted into the MEAC as new members. Original On the track, Hampton’s Francena McCorory set an American record in the 400m members Morgan State, North Carolina Central and Maryland Eastern Shore withdrew dash with a time of 50.54 and defended her national indoor title at the 2010 NCAA Indoor from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fi scal year. Maryland Eastern Shore was Championships. McCorory, a two-time All-American and three-time MEAC indoor cham- readmitted in 1981 and Morgan State returned in 1984. Florida A&M opted to resign in 1984 pion in the 400m dash, became the fi rst back-to-back NCAA indoor 400m champion since but rejoined the conference in 1986. Coppin State College was granted admittance in 1985, Suziann Reid of Texas (1998 and 1999). McCorory was named the U.S. Track & Field and becoming the ninth member institution. Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I National Athlete of the Year for The MEAC expanded again in the 1990s with the inclusion of Hampton University the 2010 Indoor Track and Field season. (1995) and Norfolk State University (1997). The conference expanded once again in 2007, In outdoor track and fi eld, North Carolina Central won the fi rst three MEAC titles. adding Winston-Salem State University. Following the 2009-10 academic/athletic season, The quartet of Melvin Bassett, Robert Ouko, Julius Sang and Larry Black set the world however, Winston-Salem State withdrew from the conference and returned to Division II. record in the sprint medley relay with a time of 38.19 in the 1972 Olympics. MEAC women On July 1, 2010, the MEAC made its most recent expansion with the admittance of North began outdoor track and fi eld conference competition in 1980. In 1982, South Carolina State Carolina Central and Savannah State University. won the AIAW Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championship. On June 8, 1980, the MEAC was classifi ed as a Division I conference by the NCAA. The MEAC has showcased more than 27 athletes in the Olympics. Among them, 11 Prior to that year, the conference operated as a Division II conference. The month after have earned medals during the Summer Games. it achieved Division I status, the MEAC received an automatic qualifi cation to the NCAA In 2003, Florida A&M became the fi rst MEAC school to win a volleyball match in Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Currently, the conference has automatic qualify- the NCAA Championship, with a fi rst-round win over Winthrop. In 2004, the Lady Rattlers ing bids for NCAA postseason play in baseball (since 1994), men’s basketball (since 1981), became the fi rst historically black college/university to rank in the Top 25 of the American women’s basketball (since 1982), football (since 1996), softball (since 1995), men’s and Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national poll. women’s tennis (since 1998), and volleyball (since 1994). South Carolina State’s women’s tennis team earned the conference’s fi rst Intercol- The MEAC initiated cross country in 1980, and North Carolina A&T earned the inau- legiate Tennis Association (ITA) ranking in a 2005 poll, reaching No. 72. gural men’s crown. The fi rst women’s cross country championship took place a year later, In softball, Bethune-Cookman earned the conference’s fi rst-ever at-large bid to the with Howard winning the fi rst of its seven titles. Indoor Track and Field was also added in NCAA Softball Championship in 2005. The Lady Wildcats defeated Florida, Central Florida 1981, with South Carolina State capturing the men’s title and Howard winning the women’s and South Florida in the Florida Regional to become the fi rst MEAC school to win an NCAA crown. Division I Softball Regional. Bethune-Cookman ended the 2005 season with the confer- Tennis and golf returned as MEAC-governed sports in 1981 after a fi ve-year hiatus. ence’s fi rst-ever rankings in the fi nal softball polls, reaching No. 18 in the NFCA/USA Today South Carolina State won all seven of the conference’s golf championships from Coaches poll and No. 23 in the USA Softball/ESPN.com Poll. 1972-1983 before the sport was discontinued after the 1983 championship. Florida A&M was the fi rst MEAC baseball team to advance to NCAA postseason play Baseball, which began in 1972, was discontinued following the 1977 season. It was in 1994. The Rattlers took on Southeastern Louisiana in a best of three play-in series, falling brought back as a MEAC-governed sport along with women’s volleyball in 1983. Women’s after two games, 11-10 and 8-7. During the 2002 campaign, Bethune-Cookman advanced softball became a MEAC-sanctioned sport in 1992. to the Gainesville Regional and became the fi rst MEAC team to win in the NCAA Tourna- Bowling was offi cially sanctioned as a MEAC sport in 1999. The MEAC was the fi rst ment with a 7-4 victory over Florida International. conference to secure NCAA sanctioning for women’s bowling by adopting the club sport prior to the 1996-97 school year.
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