Howard Wins Four In A Row!

For the first time in school history, the Howard Bison took on the North Carolina Central Eagles and successfully extending their winning streak to four games. On the opposing side, the Eagles (2-20 overall) failed to break their 11-game losing streak and remained winless against MEAC opponents after falling to the Bison, 66-33 in the nation’s capital on Saturday afternoon.

The Bison (9-14, 5-4 MEAC) started off slow, trailing the Eagles, 0-6 alongside four early turnovers. Several scoring spurts, led by sophomores Tamoria Holmes and Saadia Doyle, eventually pushed the Bison ahead of NCCU, 18-7 midway through the half.

“We were slow on defense and offense,” Bison head coach Niki Reid Geckeler said. “We weren’t focused when we let them get a 6-0 run. Tamoria made great shots and layups, which got us going. Our game plan was limit [Jori Nwachukwu’s] shots and her post plays. This sparked us offensively.”

The remarkable duo was responsible for 21 of Howard’s 28 points scored in the opening half. Entering into the day’s match against NCCU, Holmes dished 53 assists and recorded 46 steals on the season while Doyle entered the game leading all sophomores in the MEAC in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg).

“We were both on today when we played,” Holmes said. “When the three of us – me, Cheyenne, and Saadia – click, then it’s easier on everybody.”

Sophomore guard Cheyenne Curley-Payne also chimed in with five points to help bring the Bison to a 28-11 lead by the close of the half. The half time lead foreshadowed another HU win as the Bison won their past three games leading at the half.

Holmes exploded in the second half with two field goals behind the arc, marking her third of the game. Junior guard India Bradford also contributed behind the arc shortly before redshirt-freshman Cabria Johnson recorded her first points as a Bison in the final three minutes of regulation.

Holmes led the team in points (25) and steals (8) at the close of the game against NCC who is located in her hometown of Durham, NC.

“It’s the best feeling, especially when you win. That’s bragging rights for when I go home in the summer,” Holmes said.

Meanwhile Doyle, the two-time MEAC Player of the Week, closed out with 20 points, 12 of which came from free throws. Doyle’s performance marked her 11th game with 20 or more points, which currently leads the conference.

All the members of the Bison appeared in the 66-33 win over the Eagles, marking the Bison’s largest margin of victory on the season.

“Overall, we haven’t done well,” Geckeler said. “Us getting better is the most important. Any team can step up, so our focus was to play well tonight and then prepare for South Carolina. Our biggest thing is focusing on us.”

The Howard Bison will set out to land their fifth straight win against South Carolina State on Monday, Feb. 7 at 6:00 pm. Visit Howard-Bison.com for the latest news regarding the Howard women’s basketball team.

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Super Bowl XLV and The NFL Hall of Fame.

With the vibe from the Black Eye Peas anthem "I Got A Feeling" hanging in the air, fans of Super Bowl XLV knew something special would take place.

Second quarter action: Packers' Greg Jennings catches a 21-yard TD pass.
It would be the youngest NFL coach in history making his third appearance in the Super Bowl; bringing with him his most loved (and hated quarterback) vs. the Green Bay Packers, the team that started it all.

Aaron Rodgers replaced the finicky, old (his words), and finally retired Bret Favre to take the Green Bay Packers to a 31-25 win over Mike Tomlin and his 'black and yellow' Pittsburg Steelers.

Rodgers, the game's MVP, threw for 304 yards, which included a 29-yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson, and a 21 yarder to teammate Greg Jennings, for two of three TDs to mark the occasion.

Green Bay would lead early in the game, scoring three touch downs before the end of the firsth half to lead over Pittsburgh, 21-3.


Former Redskin kicker, Shaun Suisham would put the Steelers on the board, but would later miss a 52 yard field goal opportunity.

Antwaan Randle El, also a former Skin, and also reunited with Pittsburg, would have an impressive showing, scoring a touch down in Pittsburg's impressive come back.

However, their showings were not enough as Pittsburgh made three costly turnovers that Green Bay capitalized on.

Said Jennings to Rodgers: "This is where legacies are made. It's a great day to be great!"

For the Packers, great it is, as the Lombardi trophy goes back to its founding city, GreenBay, Wisconsin.

See game highlights here .

Hey, Packers! I see a White House visit in your future.

--
NFL's 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees

Back at home nine-time Pro Bowl honoree Chris Handburger joined the likes of Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Richard Dent, Ed "Let's Make a NFL Movie" Sabol, and Les Richter in the 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Class.

"I know it's a very difficult thing to get in, to even be nominated. But I was totally shocked when I got the call saying that I had been nominated, and it's just a tremendous honor. I'm thrilled to death with it", said Hanburger.

The Washington Redskins picked the North Carolina linebacker in the 18th round of the 1965 NFL Draft.

The All-American started to make his mark late in his rookie season as he began to form a reputation as a player who made big plays. Soon thereafter he assumed the role as the “quarterback” of the Redskins defense while becoming one of the most dependable and steady linebackers of his era.

Hanburger had a feelin', too.

" I do know that there have been a lot of folks working in the background, which I greatly appreciate. I'm just thrilled to death."

He was an integral part of the dominant Redskins teams of the 1970s. At the same time that Washington was rising to the top of the NFL, Hanburger began earning national acclaim. He was selected first-team All-Pro four times in a five-season span from 1972 to 1976 and named All-Eastern Conference in 1968 and 1969 and All-NFC six times in seven seasons from 1970 to 1976. Hanburger was also voted to nine Pro Bowls in his 14-season career.

His performance in the 1972 season gained him perhaps his greatest notoriety as he helped lead the Redskins to its first ever Super Bowl berth. He recorded numerous game-changing plays throughout the season as Washington won the NFC East with an 11-3 mark. He shared the team lead with a career-high four interceptions which he returned for 98 yards. That total included an interception of a Joe Namath pass which he returned 41 yards for a touchdown in Washington’s 35-17 win over the New York Jets on Nov. 5.

His strong play continued into that year’s postseason as the Redskins downed the Green Bay Packers 16-3 in the divisional playoff before facing the division rival Dallas Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Championship Game. Hanburger pitched in with two tackles and six assists as the Redskins routed the Cowboys 26-3.

He added another strong game in his only Super Bowl appearance when he recorded four solo tackles and assisted on two others in a 14-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. (Watch highlights).

In all, Hanburger recovered three fumbles for touchdowns which stood as an NFL record at the time of his retirement following the 1978 season. He also had 19 career interceptions for 347 yards and 2 TDs.

Russ Grimm, also of the Redskins, was inducted in 2010 along with Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice and Dick LeBeau.

Athlete of the Week (Week, Week!): DeSean Jackson

Philly Eagle wide receiver DeSean Jackson and a few of his teammates made a special visit to a young kid who was being bullied by his peers.

Nadin Khoury, who admitted being scared for his life, was beaten up, dragged through the streets, put in a tree and then hung from a fencepost by seven schoolmates and no one came to his rescue.

That is until Jackson heard about it.

Not only did Jackson offer Khoury his teammates as protection, he took off his jersey and gave the 13 year-old Eagles fan an officially autographed jersey.

"Anytime you need us, I got two linemen right here", said Jackson.

Watch the surprise visit, and Khoury's message to others who are being bullied.

This is dear to me as I recall a young student - who was being bullied by students for being overweight - telling me her principal said "there was nothing he could do", after she went to him with her concern.

Bullying is a serious epidemic in this country, leaving our young people at risk.

We should never take bullying lightly. Especially school officials.

Join our campaign to stop bullying now: Talk to your kids. Tell them that bullying is unacceptable. And has negative consequences!

Drew Brees Helps Mark Anniversary of First Lady's Initiative

NFL quarterback Drew Brees may be watching Super Bowl 45 from the side lines this year, but he's not going away quietly into that dark night.

Instead, as the council member for the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition he will join First Lady Michelle Obama, and other national and community leaders to help mark the 1st anniversary of the First Lady's Let's Move! healthy eating and fitness campaign.

Brees will join the First Lady on a series of speaking engagements next week to discuss what the initiative has accomplished, as well as the campaign’s next phase. He joins U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, and U.S. mayors to help keep the Let's Move! message going.

The First Lady will also appear on The Today Show, and Live With Regis & Kelly.

She will make a speech on February 9th at 4pm at a local Atlanta school to highlight how the school is working with children to promote healthy eating. The event will be streamed live at www.letsmove.gov.

Snyder Speaks on City Paper Suit. City Paper Speaks To Us.

In a rare interview, Redskins owner Dan Snyder speaks on 106.7 The Fan about why he feels he needs to sue the Washington City Paper after their article surfaced last year.

"All we want is an apology and a correction", said Snyder. "It's not a complex situation."

Snyder accused the paper of making fun of his Jewish heritage, and his wife Tanya, who is a breast cancer survivor.

"Have the decency to not make fun of someone's wife who's efforts are pure", exclaimed Snyder.

After reading the article, one can conclude that Mrs. Snyder really wasn't made fun of. Dave McKenna, the columnist who wrote the piece, merely quoted Mrs. Snyder from a TV show where Mrs. Snyder said her husband had surrounded himself with "better people", and "he's grown and evolved."

That's not especially a bad thing. If not her, than who better (than Snyder himself) to promote his 'good nature'.

For that, and pointing out some not so favorable items, Snyder wants an apology from the paper his lawsuit called a "tabloid".

The Washington City Paper is not backing down, planning to apologize (at least not any time soon), nor does it appreciate being called "a tabloid".

In an email from WCP, exclusively to DC UrbanSports, they describe the paper as:

A "30-year old alternative weekly newspaper and online destination site that reports "on local news and politics, sports, arts and entertainment, urban development, and food for people living and working in Washington DC."

The publication prints "70,000 (excuse me, 72,286) copies weekly to D.C. and near-by suburbs of Maryland and Virginia", and is circulated and picked up "in retail stores, coffee shops, restaurants, apartment buildings and streetboxes".

Says the publisher, "We believe in our mission to deliver top-notch originally reported stories, ... and we love what we do.

People read WCP "because they want to read it."

City Paper who? For those who claim they aren't aware, now you know.

Mystics Add Byrd To Coaching Staff

Washington Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lacey announced the addition of Laurie Byrd as an assistant coach.


“Laurie brings championship experience to our bench,” said Lacey. “She knows our league and has had tremendous success with the Detroit Shock and most recently, the New York Liberty. I value her knowledge of the game, work ethic and her ability to develop players.”

Byrd spent three seasons (2003-2005) as an assistant coach with the Detroit Shock, helping the team win a WNBA championship during the 2003 season. She spent 2009 and 2010 with the New York Liberty as an assistant to Anne Donovan and was instrumental to the Liberty finishing the 2010 season with a 22-12 record and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Byrd has also had coaching stints with the Houston Comets and the University of Detroit.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity with the Washington Mystics,” said Byrd. “I am overly excited and looking forward to working with a successful organization, staff and a talented ball club.”

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Byrd played with the San Jose Laser and Atlanta Glory of the American Basketball League (ABL) as well as the Kentucky Marauders and the Chicago Spirits of the Women’s Basketball Association. In addition, Byrd spent seven years playing in Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Byrd graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Education.

The Washington Mystics tip off their 14th season on Saturday, June 4th, on the road against the Connecticut Sun at 7:00 pm. Washington’s home opener at Verizon Center is Saturday, June 11th, at 7:00 pm against the Chicago Sky.

Bison Snag Third Straight Win

The Howard Lady Bison closed out their match with the Delaware State Hornets with a 51-46 win, extending their winning streak to three straight victories.

“We definitely get a confidence boost whenever we play at Burr,” Howard head coach Niki Reid Geckeler said. “We’re able to make it difficult on the other teams.”

A host of turnovers and aggressive fouls, however, dominated the opening half as both teams combined for 23 turnovers,17 fouls and seven steals. Likewise, both Howard (8-14, 5-4 MEAC) and Delaware State (5-15, 1-7 MEAC) failed to convert on
many offensive opportunities, shooting 29.6 percent and 35.0 percent, respectively from the field.

Midway through the half, Delaware State went on to spark a series of 13 points to lead Howard by the largest margin of the game, 21-14.

Sophomore guard Cheyenne Curley-Payne would ignite Howard back into the game with a steal after blocking a Hornet 3-pointer as the shot clock dwindled. Upon the steal, Curley-Payne assisted Tamoria Holmes on a down court pass. Holmes went on to beat out a Hornet defender for a layup to push Howard within five points.

Soon after Saadia Doyle drew a foul to shoot two. Doyle missed on both attempts at the line, but would gain another opportunity after HU snagged a defensive rebound to draw another foul, giving Doyle one more chance for two shots––she would make both.

Doyle went on to score four more points in the final two minutes of the half, putting the Bison up, 22-21.

Scoring would remain low throughout the second half, like the first, as Howard only mustered ten points from the field. The final 18 points of the game would result in shots made from the free throw line––11 of which came from Doyle.

“She wanted the ball and when she got it, she made something happen,” Geckeler said. “At the end of the game her free throws were good and we were able to come out on top.”

In attempts to break what was a balanced scoring second half, Kianna Conner of Delaware State converted behind the arc to inch the Hornets within two of Howard’s 41 points. A Hornet foul, however, led to two successful free throws for the Bison. DSU would stay in and hustle for an offensive rebound to put up another two points. Tasia Bristow added to the wealth and landed a key shot behind the arc to give DSU the lead, 44-43.

“Delaware State made great adjustments,” Geckeler said, “but the last possession we dominated. However, our defense collectively needs improvement.”

Doyle would fight for a steal in DSU territory and on her break she was fouled hard and allowed two shots. Doyle was successful in both her attempts to give the Bison the 45-44 lead with 2:47 remaining on the clock.

The score would remain at a halt until 1:22 remaining after a Curley-Payne foul led to two successful attempts behind the line for Delaware State. Curley-Payne would bounce back and draw a foul to convert two shots of her own, tying the game at 46 a piece with 1:07 left in regulation.

A key rebound by Portia Deterville followed by a Howard timeout proved to be crucial. Doyle would draw a game-changing trip to the line, pushing HU up, 47-46. The Hornets would mistakenly foul Holmes – who finished the game with 11 points – and she went on to make both of her free throws.

“I told Cheynne and Tamoria to keep it close and then I would bring it home,” Doyle said regarding her foul troubles in the second half.

Following a Delaware State timeout with 15.2 seconds left in the game, Bristow would look to steal the win with another 3-point shot, but failed in her efforts. Doyle would capture the rebound and draw another foul with one second left in the game, securing Howard with the 51-46 win.

“We were able to remain focused at the end of the game,” Geckeler said. “Even though there was a lack of focus for 37 minutes, the last three minutes went well.”

When asked how Howard was able to successfully pull out on the winning side in the past three games, Doyle attested to focus.

“I was able to remain poised along with my other teammates,” Doyle said. “With that, it’s easier for us to end up in the same position time and time again.”

Doyle would finish the game with 18 points – 14 of which were free throws – inching her closer to the monumental 1,000 point mark. Visit Howard-Bison.com to monitor Doyle in her attempt to break 1,000 points this season and for the latest news regarding the women’s basketball team.

“We’ve done better, historically,” Geckeler said. “We have individuals that are doing good, however, we need to get better as a team.”

African American Golf History

Award-winning news journalist Gary Anthony Ramsey highlights African America golfers in this edition of the African American Golf Report.

Take a listen (and a gander).

March 12th: Jimmy Lange Returns To The Ring

Hometown fighter and former Contender star Jimmy Lange (34-4-2, 24 KOs) of Great Falls, VA headlines his 12th Patriot Center show with a 10-round bout against Jimmy Holmes (19-1, 10 KOs) of Demotte, IN. on March 12 at the Patriot Center.

Also scheduled is the rematch between former D.C. world champion William Joppy (39-6-2, 30 KOs) and dangerous veteran Cory “Black Ice” Cummings (17-4-1, 13 KOs).

After earning a majority draw last November in a crowd-pleasing, back-and-forth contest at the Patriot Center, the two contenders will look to settle Beltway bragging rights in a 10-round Co-Main Event on the Jimmy Lange Boxing card.

Each fighter believed he won three months ago in their 10-round showdown where one judge scored in favor of Joppy, 96-94, while the other two saw it even at 95-95.

The undercard features undefeated Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (9-0, 3 KOs) of Fairfax, VA vs. Dean “Pitbull” White (15-10-2, 3 KOs) of Smithsburg, MD; knockout artist Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (10-2-1, 9 KOs) of Stevensville, MD vs. TBD; a heavyweight collision between Ron “Heavy Duty” Gamble (1-0, 1 KO) of Arnold, MD and Abodurin “Bo” Akinyanju (3-1, 3 KOs) of Landover, MD; and Charlottesville, VA middleweight George “Wartime” Rivera (11-6, 4 KOs) vs. Shakir Ashanti (16-9, 4 KOs) of Greensboro, NC.

Suing For $2M: Snyder v. The Washington City Paper

The Washington City Paper Calling Out Daniel Snyder in a November 19, 2010 article: The Cranky Redskins Fan's Guide to Dan Snyder. Snyder's legal counsel called article defamatory.

We told you about this story back in November of last year (2010). You know, the one about the Washington City Paper calling (at least in art) Washington Redskin owner Dan Snyder a devil, and numbering at least 5 items (also lettered A-Z) why they think the name is appropriate?

Well, it seems the article has come back to haunt the paper, and unfortunately for fans and readers, appears to be just as haunting.

We will never know why Dan Snyder and his legal team (who, in court documents, calls the WCP a "tabloid") chose this very moment in football history - after all it is Super Bowl 45 week/weekend - to call the Washington City Paper (WCP) on the carpet (and sue the paper) for an article written last year, but it sure has rubbed Dan, and a lot of other folk the wrong way.

Snyder, (at least through his representative and legal counsel, David Donovan), alleges that the article, and the drawing, are anti-Semitic (Snyder is Jewish), and is an assasination on the character of both Snyder and his wife Tanya, who has battled breast cancer.

Donovan writes in a letter to the owners of WCP, Atalaya Capital Management LP in New York City: "Can you imagine how you would react if your wife was battling cancer and her public role as the NFL's national spokesperson on breast cancer awareness was demeaned as a mere public relations ploy to "sell" the "transformation" of her husband's public image?"

To that, the WCP responded, calling Snyder's attempt at suing the paper, "shabby": "It’s extremely unfortunate that Snyder believes that it is appropriate to threaten City Paper with litigation because he objects to our coverage. As a 30-year old newspaper and vibrant website committed to both in-depth news reporting and full-throated commentary, we do not believe that using the court system to stifle or chill free speech is ever appropriate. In this case, it’s especially shabby: As a well known public figure, Snyder has more than ample ability and resources to respond to coverage he does not like, including through his significant public relations apparatus. Lest there be any doubt, we have offered him a forum to do so in our pages, and that invitation stands. Should he elect to actually file a lawsuit, we have directed our counsel to defend the case vigorously."

DC UrbanSports spoke to Tanya Snyder the day the WCP story broke, to get her reaction. That was the same day that the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation was handing out Thanksgiving day turkeys and other food items to residents of Prince Georges county at FedEx Field, a yearly WRCF event.

"There's always going to be someone out there who has something negative to say about everything", said Tanya Snyder, wife of Dan Snyder.

"We just have to keep going forward and be who we are." Dan Snyder is a wonderful, caring and very giving person. He always has been, and he tries really hard."

Some have said Snyder is suing the WCP to obtain money to make up for a loss of revenue due to lackluster season ticket sales during yet another dismal and disappointing football season. Some have said it's to recoup losses from the Albert Haynesworth saga. Others say its just a media ploy to get attention.

It appears Snyder and the WCP have butt heads before. A butting of heads that has even included the Kennedy namesake. According to court documents filed in New York City, Snyder allegedely dropped the Robert F. Kennedy name from the old RFK stadium after the Kennedy family expressed their concern over Snyder adding a cigar bar and a Hooters. Their 'concerns' were later aired out in the WCP.

Whether media driven or not, this latest Redskin saga has bought out the head public relations person at Redskin Park to defend Snyder. On a radio show yesterday, Redskins media and public relations VP, Tony Wyllie called the accusations a lie and an attack on Snyder's moral character. "We won't put up with lies. Once the lawsuit is filed, everyone will know the truth."

Wyllie states that should Snyder win the lawsuit all monies will "go to charity."

With so much drama coming out of the Redskin camp, so frequently, all one can really say is: Here we go again.

Related
Summons and Complaint
Exhibits: A, B, C, D