1959 football team donates $50,000

During Saturday’s Homecoming football game, the members of the 1959 FAMU football championship team presented President James Ammons with a $50,000 check for the athletics department.

The 1959 Rattler Football team, under the leadership of Hall of Fame legend coach Jake Gaither, compiled a perfect 10-0 record 50 years ago, outscoring their opponents by a wide margin, 411 to 71.

The Rattler Defense was so dominant, that they shutout the first three teams they played in 1959, and only three teams managed to score more than a touchdown in a game, resulting in a 7.1 point-per game allowed average.

Led by All-Americans Curtis Miranda and Clarence Childs, the Rattlers averaged 41.1 points per game, scoring 50 or more points four times, capping their championship run with a 28-7 win over Prairie View A&M University, in the Orange Blossom Classic.

Drum majors late for homecoming halftime show

The hits just keep on coming for the "Orange Elephants" as the prancing "presidential ten" drum majors were late for the start of the homecoming halftime show forcing band director Julian White to start the show without them (see video above).

The tardiness prompted one youtube poster to suggest, "they (the drum majors) were still in the field house dressing each other, primping, and doing make-up, hair and nails. Not only were they late for the homecoming show, they didn't even have a sense of urgency to get to the field after the show had started...Just walked out like it was good."

"Doc shouldn't have let their a**es on the field. He's a former DM; the band would have been just fine without the Precious 10," the poster continued.

Trouble before
This is the second time this year that the "prancing ten" drum majors had been the center of controversy. All ten were suspended for the Howard game for "violating band policy", forcing Band Director Julian White to go with a substitute drum major Chad Norton.

Note from this clip, Chad is not a member of the "prancing ten" drum majors.

Hayes accepts WSSU job

Bill Hayes the embattled FAMU athletic director was named the next AD at Winston-Salem State.

WSSU Chancellor Donald Reaves announced the hiring earlier today in a meeting with the executive committee of the school's board of trustees and later shared the news with WSSU's coaches.

Hayes, 64, will replace Chico Caldwell as the fulltime AD and will start work Jan. 1.

Hayes will work under a three-year contract at WSSU, for about $130,000 a year, Reaves said. By state law, Hayes will have to give up his retirement stipend from the state of North Carolina before he can start being paid by WSSU. Even though Hayes left Winston-Salem, years ago, he and his wife still own a house here.

Hayes currently earns $175,000 at FAMU.

"We don't have to pay moving expenses," Reaves joked. "We just feel this is going to be a great thing for our alumni and our fan base. I'm very excited about this move."

via the Winston-Salem Journal.

Mobile Giving Campaign raises $7,620 during homecoming

During Homecoming Week 2009, 1,474 Rattlers contributed $7,620 to the Mobile Giving Campaign.

The campaign invited alumni to contribute $5.00 by sending a text to the number 50555 with the word FAMU in the body of the message. Each $5.00 gift was automatically added to the owner’s cell phone bill as a contribution to the FAMU Foundation.

The Mobile Giving Campaign is now a permanent part of FAMU’s fundraising program. Rattlers can keep texting the word FAMU to 50555 as often as they like in support of the university.

For a receipt, a donor can visit www.mobilegiving.org/sms_donations, and then enter his/her cell number.

Industry Cluster donates more than $850,000 to FAMU

The FAMU Industry Cluster presented $851,914.67 to the University during halftime of this past weekend's halftime homecoming football game.

Cheryl Harris, chairperson of the Key Executive Advisory Council, and Business and Industry Cluster (interim), and David Blanding, also a member of the Key Executive Advisory Council and Industry Cluster, were on hand to present the check to FAMU President James H. Ammons and Carla Willis, vice president for University Relations and executive director, FAMU Foundation, Inc.

“It means a lot for the Business and Industry Cluster to provide funding for FAMU to help students pursue careers with various industries and companies,” said Harris, who is a 1989 graduate of FAMU and The Americas Procurement Lead for Accenture LLP. “Our [Industry Cluster] goals are to double this contribution this time next year.”

Blanding, a technical fellow for Platform Subsystems Technology with Boeing Research and Technology, shared his thoughts about the donation.

“The donation amount is going in a new direction,” said Blanding. “The same way that FAMU is going under the leadership of Dr. Ammons.”

There are more than 40 members of the FAMU Industry Cluster that provides financial and programmatic support to the University.

During their annual meeting, the group’s theme was “Navigating the Economy: Demonstrating Maximum Value.” The keynote speaker, Peter McKay, a FAMU graduate and now a financial reporter with the Wall Street Journal, discussed the economic outlook and provided some insights regarding recovery.

He indicated that many economic projections show that recovery will not be uniform but regional and that some market sectors will see a faster recovery than others. A panel discussion that included long-time Cluster members and one new member focused on the value of the partnership.

Panel members stressed the importance of maintaining a relationship with FAMU and its students even during the lean times and illustrated the difficulty of rebuilding. A panel of four students from the School of Business and Industry discussed the results of a Case Study that was sponsored by Medtronic. The Case Study was one that is pertinent and relevant to many corporations today, which discussed the challenges of recruiting and retaining candidates from Generation Y and provided recommendations. Many Cluster participants commented on how relevant the Case Study was and how well the students knew, understood and communicated the problem, the opportunities, and the recommendations.

FAMU-Ghana partnership nets $50,000 grant

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded FAMU a $50,000 grant to develop an academic partnership with the University of Development Studies in Ghana.

The FAMU-Ghana partnership is one of 13 new collaborative projects comprised of one U.S. and one African higher education institution. Each partnership receives a $50,000 grant from USAID to develop plans to address regional and national economic development priorities including such as engineering, health, agriculture, environment and natural resources, science and technology, education and teacher training/preparation, and business, management, and economics.

“We are extremely pleased to fund these additional 13 partnerships," said Alonzo Fulgham, Acting Administrator of USAID. "With the addition of these 13, we now have a total of six historically black colleges and universities in the initiative and a number of well-respected, top-ranked academic institutions in the United States and throughout Africa. The expertise and experience delivered by these institutions will have a critical impact as this effort moves forward.”

FAMU will be joined in Ghana by Brown University, which has a partnership with the University of Ghana. The University of Florida also received a grant for its partnership with Rhodes University in South Africa.

"Africa has an urgent need to strengthen institutions that cultivate human and research capacity." said Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. "Working together in partnership, African and U.S. higher education institutions have the ability to increase the quality and access to education, and help solve local problems. The partnerships that will be created through this initiative have the potential to make a difference in the future of the African continent."

FAMU receives $2.5M for national intelligence research

FAMU received a $2.5 million grant over five years (2009-2014) to establish a Center of Academic Excellence from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Community. FAMU is now the 22nd U.S. institution of higher learning to earn such a distinction.

Lenora Peters Gant, director of the Intelligence Community Center Academic Excellence and Program Office, presented a check to FAMU President James H. Ammons during halftime of FAMU’s homecoming football game.

Gant, a 1978 graduate of FAMU’s School of Business and Industry, said it felt great to come back to make the presentation.

“We are not responsible for how we find this world when we are born; however, we are responsible for how we leave the world.”

The principal goal of the Center is to encourage faculty-led student research on national security issues. The Center will be a multidisciplinary research, instructional and pre-college school outreach unit aimed at increasing the pool of talented young men and women. It will focus primarily, though not exclusively, on minorities and women from which Intelligence Community agencies (consisting of 16 federal executive departments and agencies) may recruit new employees.

Some examples of U.S. Intelligence Community departments and agencies include: the State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and the Central Intelligence Agency. The Center will conduct a number of programs and activities whose aim will be to enhance research spearheaded by faculty, but with FAMU students and precollege students substantively engaged with faculty. Ultimately, research enhancement efforts will broaden the pool of available researchers and provide an important window of exposure to students and faculty who will desire to become a part of the intelligence community in some capacity or other, yet consistent with the needs of the National Intelligence Community.

Keith Simmonds, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of public administration and political science, will serve as principal investigator.

Larry Robinson, professor and vice president for research, said, “This award shows the tremendous breadth of the talents of faculty and students at FAMU.”

What's wrong with this picture?

Despite doing essentially the same drill for seven straight weeks, the "Orange Elephants" still can't get it right. RN readers might recall that during week one "Orange Elephant" defenders claimed it was too early in the season to expect "perfection". Last week at South Carolina State one trombone player marched in the wrong direction for five yards (see 2:04).

This from a band who's motto declares it a role model of excellence.

William Foster please send help !!!!!

Off Topic: Legacy & Lessons

Rattlers, Pulley outclass Spartans 34-20

Senior quarterback Curtis Pulley turned in another star performance Saturday, leading the FAMU Rattler Football team to a 34-20 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Norfolk State University in the 2009 Homecoming Game in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

FAMU (5-2, 3-1 in MEAC) piled up 402 yards of offense, highlighted by Pulley’s 358 total yards, which featured 185 yards rushing (on 17 carries) and one TD, plus 173 passing yards (13 of 22) and two TDs

The talented youngster from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, tossed a one-yard scoring pass to Mykel Benson capping the game’s opening drive with 10:47 in the first quarter, then later extended the Rattler lead to 31-13 with 4:16 left in the second period on his scintillating 51-yard TD run, the longest run of his FAMU career.

Norfolk State (3-4, 2-3 in MEAC) hung tough against the Rattlers, tying the score at 7-7 on their first possession of the game on a one-yard plunge by halfback Josh Alford with 8:10 left.

Pulley led another FAMU drive in the opening stanza, a 55-yard march, that ended with a 22-yard field goal by Trevor Scott with 2:59 to play, putting the Rattlers ahead for good at 10-7.

Junior tailback Philip Sylvester, who has been slowly recovering from an ankle injury, raced into the end zone from 22 yards out with 14:51 left in the second quarter, boosting the Rattler edge to 17-7, before fullback Mykel Benson snared a Pulley pass and rumbled 30 yards for a score with 6:56 left to extend the FAMU lead to 24-7.

Pulley’s 51-yard TD gallop right before the half closed the Rattlers’ scoring for the first half at 31-13.

The action slowed down considerably in the second half, with the Spartans breaking the ice as P.J. Hayden caught a 17-yard pass from Dennis Brown to slice the Rattler lead to 31-20 with 14:50 left in the game, before Trevor Scott’s 30-yard field goal with 9:33 to play added the game’s final points for a 34-20 count.

Obama family's official portrait released

WANM shouldn't be silenced

By Robert Ruggles
My friend Henry Kirby, FAMU associate VP for student affairs, was wrong to try to censor students on FAMU's radio station. That is what his e-mail to journalism Dean James Hawkins amounted to.

Students at WAMN-FM have rights of free speech just as Kirby does, and to insinuate that student funds helping to support WANM might be at risk if the students did not stop discussion of the homecoming concert arrangements is a blatant attempt at censorship.

Both WANM and The FAMUan student newspaper are student forums, and have been for a long time. Courts have ruled that administrations cannot interfere with (attempt to censor) them and that any efforts to reduce their funding because of dissatisfaction with what they say cannot be legal because they amount to censorship. I do not know what the WANM students have been saying about the concert, but to suggest that they should get their information only from the university or from the promoters is ridiculous.

There are usually more than two sides to any story, and all sides have axes to grind. Even if the students were off base in anything they said, they still have a right to say it without censorship. If legally actionable errors were made, they will no doubt wind up in court later.

Remember, we all have a right to our opinions. Otherwise, some of our windiest commentators — Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the crew at MSNBC — might not be holding forth today. The students should never have seen the e-mail. Dean Hawkins should have sent it back to Kirby defending the students and upholding their constitutional rights.

Robert Ruggles is professor emeritus of journalism and founding dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communications at FAMU.

You might also be interested in: FAMU radio station told to stop talking about concert

More Rattler women sporting natural hair styles

This homecoming, don’t be surprised to see more Rattler women walking around campus with natural hairstyles as opposed to perms or extensions. The look has become trendy with celebrities such as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and India Aire all sporting various natural cuts on the national stage.

Beauty shops in Tallahassee have received an increasing number of black women who are choosing to cut off their hair to “go natural.” Yata Bryant, a licensed hair stylist for Yata’s Styles, said “I have noticed an increase in the number of clients wanting to go natural for reasons such as following trends and religious or spiritual beliefs.”

According to Bryant, the beginning stage of going natural involves a lot of maintenance and is expensive. “A natural hair style such as interlocks requires a lot of time and materials which makes it very expensive,” Bryant said.

The reason for choosing natural hair styles such as afros and locks varies among African American women. Ayanna Martinez, a senior broadcast student, chose to cut off all of her hair and go natural because of spiritual beliefs and influence from friends. “For me, natural hair is precious and is an outer expression of an inner change,” Martinez said. “Since then, I feel that I have had a chance to get to know myself better.”

Audrey Kennedy, a third year public relations students, chose to go natural after a stylist at a hair salon in San Francisco, California informed her that her hair was damaged because of chemicals. “When I visited the salon in my hometown, the lady told me I can’t leave until I cut off all of my hair,” Kennedy said.

Mr. FAMUs returning to The Hill

A fairly new tradition at FAMU, the addition of Mr. FAMU to the Royal Court will celebrate its 10th anniversary during homecoming. As part of the celebration, all 10 Mr. FAMUs will be presented at the football game on October 24, at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The Mr. FAMUs throughout the years include:

• Charles Wesley Lattimore, 2000-2001
• Exley Warren, 2001-2002
• Marion Slaton, 2002-2003
• Theodore Goyins, 2003-2004
• Ryan Morand, 2004-2005
• Hasan Flake, 2005-2006
• Philip Hamilton, 2006-2007
• Jeremy Mounticure, 2007-2008
• Omari Crawford, 2008-2009
• Brandon McCaskill, 2009-2010

“I’m excited because I think it will speak volumes to have the first decade of the most influential men on campus come together and represent something positive for our up and coming Rattlers,” said McCaskill.

The Mr. FAMU office was created during the 1999-2000 school by a Student Senate bill introduced by then-Student Sen. Andrew Gillum. The position was conceived as a way to highlight black male student role models at FAMU’s recruitment fairs.

Ammons nominates Turnbull for BOT

FAMU President James Ammons wants former Florida House Rep. Marjorie Turnbull on the university’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Governors will take up the recommendation this morning.

Ammons formally nominated Turnbull for the seat being vacated by Trustee Robert Brown.

"I am pleased to submit a signed application and to nominate Mrs. Marjorie R. Turnbull to serve on the FAMU Board of Trustees," Ammons wrote. "She has a long and rich history as an advocate and supporter of education in the State of Florida. Mrs. Turnbull would be an outstanding asset to the Board of Trustees."

As a representative, Turnbull’s committee assignments included: Education Appropriations, Higher Education, and K-12 Education, as well as the Select Committee on Educational Facilities. She’s also served as trustee for Edward Waters College.

Turnbull is currently a Special Associate with Penson Associates, Inc., a research and consultation firm that specializes in higher education.

Update:

The BOG formally appointed Turnbull to the FAMU BOT today.

Read Turnbull’s full application here.

Meek aiming to get Obama at future campaign events

The national Democratic establishment is closing ranks around FAMU alumnus Kendrick Meek’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate. His list of supporters now looks like a “Who’s Who” of Democratic Party heavyweights.

Meek’s latest U.S. Senate campaign fundraiser was headlined by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Florida senior U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and former President Bill Clinton (who made his fourth campaign appearance for Meek).

The Miami congressman is also claiming White House support for his candidacy. He says he’s “in discussions” with White House officials about having President Barack Obama take on a more formal role in support of the campaign.

“I'm pleased with what Obama has done with me early on,” Meek said. “[The White House] sees the seriousness of our campaign.”

Meek has raised over $750,000 this quarter and started the fall with about $2.7M.

FAMU seeking more support from recent grads

For years, historically black college and university administrators have struggled with a tough question: What's the best way to raise alumni giving levels?

Jamahl Grace, a FAMU alumnus, said he believes the amount each grad gives depends on his or her experience.

“I feel [many people] don’t give back because they didn’t thoroughly value the experience they gained and the foundation that was built,” Grace said. “They are busy focusing on all the things that have gone wrong that they forget about the positive aspects and won’t take the initiative to better [the] institution.” Grace said he plans to give back to his alma mater. He has started by taking an active role within the local alumni chapter in Washington, D.C.

While Grace believes many students don’t value the experience gained, entertainer Bill Cosby blames HBCU leadership. In 2008 at the “Straight Talk Symposium – Securing the Financial Future of North Carolina HBCUs and Their Communities,” Cosby said HBCU officials should make alumni “feel bad” about not giving back instead of “begging” them.

Marybeth Gasman, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies HBCUs, disagrees. In a 2008 “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education” issue, Gasman said HBCU administrators have to educate students early and often in their college career the importance of giving back. Gasman said HBCUs need to organize student advancement councils focused on raising money. She said HBCUs have to educate students to understand how a university works, the finances that keep an institution working, and their role in sustaining their alma mater.

HBCUs are not the only institutions that have difficulty getting monetary donations from their young alumni. A blog by Sean Stannard-Stockton, an investment consultant who advises philanthropic groups, recently featured commentary from PrepNY co-founder Sam Huleatt on this issue. Huleatt says that many universities fail to take advantage of modern communication mediums that appeal to recent graduates or tapping into the power of university networks.

“Schools need to find a new medium by which to appeal to their young alumni,” Huleatt wrote. “They must also provide them with the incentives to ‘give’ in a number of different contexts. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this at low cost is by leveraging the social network that already exists among an active alumni base using technology.”

At FAMU, initiatives such as the new Mobile Giving Campaign are attempting to do just that by making it possible for alumni to donate through their cell phones. Activities such as the annual Young Alumni Giving luncheon are also encouraging recent grads to make regular donations to the university’s foundation using the secure online website.

The YAG has also become a major networking opportunity with high-powered alumni such as BOT vice-chairman Daryl Parks, State Rep. Alan Williams, City Commissioner Andrew Gillum, and filmmaker Will Packer having made appearances in recent years. Media mogul Oscar Joyner will headline this year’s event.

President James Ammons, who delivered the YAG luncheon’s keynote address during his first year as the university’s leader, emphasized the need for alumni to step up their support during these tough economic times.

Details on the Mobile Giving Campaign are available here. Tickets for this year’s luncheon can be purchased here.

Homecoming concert promoter arrested

Homecoming Concert promoter Willie ‘Will the thrill’ McKenzie was arrested late Thursday night after he entered the WANM radio studios to confront an on air personality over comments she made about the upcoming concert.

FAMU police cited McKenzie for trespassing, then arrested him after a routine check showed he was wanted on an outstanding warrants. McKenzie was booked and released from Leon County Jail Friday morning.

McKenzie had come under fire by some students for the lyrics of the rappers he booked in the concert line-up. WANM Radio Personality "Dee Dee Rock" raised the issue during her show.

McKenzie said the station was criticizing the concert and that would ultimately hurt ticket sales.

SGA President Gallop Franklin, defended the decision to hire 22-year-old McKenzie, CEO of Double Trouble Entertainment, and said "they had the best proposal and best interview during the selection process…our entire process has been transparent.”

A recent FAMUAN poll showed that 64% of participants favored scrapping the concert line-up and moving in a different direction. Early last week the homecoming concert's headliner Gucci Mane cancelled his appearance because of his own legal troubles.

FAMU launches mobile giving campaign

Giving to FAMU’s athletic program is now as easy as texting “50555.”

This weekend, Vice-President for University Relations Carla Willis emailed alumni with the news that FAMU is collaborating with the Mobile Giving Foundation to launch an innovative fundraising campaign.

Throughout 2009’s Homecoming Week (Oct 18th - 25th), University Relations is encouraging Rattlers to donate $5.00 to FAMU sports by texting the word "FAMU" to 50555 anytime during those days.

Willis says FAMU is one of just a few universities, and as of right now, the only HBCU, leading the nation in this type of giving strategy.

“Many of us learned from Obama’s campaign that the cellular telephone can be a great way to call people into action and a way of securing small donations that can make a huge impact,” Willis wrote. “This area of technology is another arena in which FAMU is poised and ready to become a leader.”

Mobile Giving is supported by the following carriers: AT&T, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.

For more information, check out the Mobile Giving page at the FAMU Foundation’s website.

Ford powers SCSU over FAMU 35-20

Senior running back Will Ford became the All-Time Leading rusher in South Carolina State history powering #11 SC State Bulldogs 35-20 over #22 Florida A&M Saturday before a record crowd of 24,496 at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg. The win game South Carolina State its 14 straight league win.

Ford entered the contest needing 71 yards to become the All-Time rushing leader at SCSU and 518 yards to become the MEAC's All-time leader. The senior All-American running back finished the day with 24 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns putting him second on the MEAC rushing list behind Alonzo Coleman.

"It was great to see a player like Ford earn this achievement at home in front of a record crowd," said SC State coach Buddy Pough. "Our team played very well on both sides of the ball against FAMU."

FAMU's Curtis Pulley connected on a 14-yard pass in the third quarter for their final score of the game. Donovan's second interception of the day with 0:45 seconds left sealed the 35-20 victory for SC State.

SC State quarterback Malcolm Long finished 14-19-0 for 164 yards and one touchdown, while senior wide receiver Tre' Young led the receiving corps with six catches for 77 yards and a score. FAMU was led by quarterback Curtis Pulley with 23-37 for 320 yards and three interceptions.

"Malcolm threw the ball really well and we did a great job with play calling in certain situations," stated Pough. "We just want to finish strong and get better each week as a football team."

Brown won't challenge Meek campaign

After flirting with the idea of challenging fellow FAMU alumnus Kendrick Meek for the state’s Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, Corrine Brown now says she’s going to stick with her current job.

Brown is officially disbanding her Senate exploratory committee and is now gearing up to run for re-election to her current Congressional seat.

Meek, also a Congressman, said he looks forward to working with Brown on Capitol Hill throughout the coming years.

“The families of northeast and central Florida are fortunate to have Chairwoman Corrine Brown as their Congresswoman,” Meek said. “I respect her career of legislative accomplishments, and with her seniority there is no greater advocate in Congress to help bring high-speed rail to central Florida and thousands of jobs to the I-4 corridor. Job fairs that she has organized in Jacksonville and Orlando are helping to put thousands of people back to work and only Congresswoman Brown can deliver those results. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Congresswoman Brown and deliver a shared agenda of progress for the people of Florida.”

Game could decide Black College champ

Today's MEAC battle between the Rattlers and South Carolina State will not only likely decide who will win the conference (identical records of 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC), but it could also be the deciding factor in who takes home a National Black College Championship as well.

The Bulldogs and Rattlers (ranked 1-2 in both major HBCU polls) currently are the highest scoring teams in the MEAC and each has several players at the top of statistical categories.

For example, FAMU quarterback Curtis Pulley leads the league in passing (198 ypg.) and total offense (272.4 ypg.). His counterpart Malcolm Long is second in passing yards (173.8 ypg.) and third in total offense.

Also, Bulldog WR/KR Oliver "Tre" Young leads the MEAC in receptions (5.0 rpg.) and receiving yards (69.2 ypg.). FAMU receivers Isaac West (3.6 rpg., 68.4 ypg.) and Kevin Elliot (4.2 rpg., 62.2 ypg.) are just behind Young in both categories.

While FAMU leads the all-time series (32-18-3), the Bulldogs have won the last six meetings against the Rattlers. In fact, SCSU has 13 won straight MEAC games. It's the first time the Bulldogs have pulled off the feat since they did it between the 1981 and 1982 seasons.

Via Black Athlete

Joyner to headline 2009 YAG luncheon

With the motto “Be the Change We Want to See!” the Young Alumni Giving luncheon is inviting recent Rattlers to enjoy a hearty meal and invest in a brighter future for their alma mater.

Scheduled for 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2009, the event will take place at the newly renovated Hotel Duval on 415 North Monroe Street. The upscale, boutique hotel features Shula’s 347 Grill, LeRoc, and Level 8 lounge

This year’s speaker lineup features Oscar Joyner, president and chief operating officer of REACH Media, Incorporated headquartered in Dallas, TX. Reach Media Incorporated is the parent company of The Tom Joyner Morning Show, BlackAmericaWeb.com, and a host of other syndicated radio and television properties. Joyner oversees a staff of over 80 people with annual revenue in excess of $50 million.

At FAMU, Joyner earned an MBA with a double concentration in Marketing and Finance. During his days on The Hill he looked up to Professor Sybil C. Mobley, founding dean of the School of Business and Industry, as a role model. Currently, he’s a member of the FAMU Foundation Board of Directors.

Other speakers include Aaron Arnold, CEO of MusicIsMyBusiness and a former assistant to Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Edward Long, founder of Cut Yo' Dang On Radio On, LLC.

Tickets cost $50 and are available at the YAG’s website. Proceeds go to the FAMU Foundation.

CBS news journalists to speak at FAMU

Five dynamic and nationally-known journalists at CBS News will speak to students in the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) Thursday, October 22. The panel discussion titled “CBS Journalists and their Journey” is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hotel Duval, Grand Ballroom.

The featured speakers are:

• Russ Mitchell, Anchor, CBS Early Show and Evening News Saturday Edition;
• Byron Pitts, Chief National Correspondent and Contributing Correspondent, 60 Minutes;
• Randall Pinkston, CBS News Correspondent;
• Bill Whitaker, CBS News Correspondent; and
• Harold Dow, Correspondent, 48 Hours Mystery.

“This is the 35th year of journalism at Florida A&M University,” said Dean James Hawkins. “This panel discussion featuring these prominent journalists from CBS is a part of our celebration in reaching this milestone.”

Kim Godwin, senior producer of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and a FAMU graduate, will serve as the hostess of the dynamic panel, “CBS News Journalists and their Journey.”

This event is by invitation only. The general public can tune into FamCast at www.famu.edu.

Homecoming concert line up draws students ire

A small group of FAMU students are voicing their distaste for the university's homecoming lineup, including one rapper who goes by Gucci Mane who won't be able to make the concert because of legal issues.

Members of, the ad hoc, FAMU People's Coalition say the concert's artists are not a representation of the diverse student body and say they don't agree with the derogatory and often violent lyrics.

"It seems that they have artists that only cater to a certain audience. And the thing about that is, the material that these artists have are simply not bringing the sort of message that we think are healthy for our university environment," says Sean Blackmon.

Member say they hope to have a thousand signatures by Thursday when they'll meet up with university and homecoming officials.

The group says they don't want to change the concert but do want an alternative solution offered to the students.

Some of the confirmed artists are: Plies, Lil Webbie, Young Cash, Ace Hood, Hurricane Chris, Ice Berg, Black Dada, Dukwon and Midget Mac.

Gucci Mane was to be the concert's headliner, but won't be able to make the concert because he'll be at a court hearing.

Gucci Mane has also already been banned from performing at North Carolina A&T homecoming this year.

Pulley and Vann deserve this same kind of push

FAMU has two legitimate all star candidates on its football team this year in Curtis Pulley and LeRoy Vann. It would be nice if they could get the same kind of new media push from our sports information office like Tennessee's Eric Berry.

It might be time to place a call to journalism student Will Ayers, Jr.

Other "hype for" Eric Berry.

The Daily News from Will Ayers, Jr: All the news you need in 3 mins

FAMU receives $114,681 from USDA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that FAMU will receive a $114,681 grant for economic development and business promotion. FAMU is one of only 15 historically black land-grant institutions chosen to participate in this $1.5M research initiative.

"These funds help provide entrepreneurship training and benefits to rural youth," Vilsack said. "President Obama believes our nation's economic competitiveness and the path to the American dream depend on providing every student with an education that will enable them to succeed in a global economy. Using these funds, students will learn to take advantage of existing economic development opportunities in their communities - such as renewable energy resources - as well as the vast business knowledge and connections that these schools and their faculty members have."

The grants, provided through USDA Rural Development, will help create businesses, promote cooperatives and provide jobs. The recipients are among the 18 institutions supported under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, a law providing for the establishment of land-grant institutions focusing on agriculture, home economics and the mechanic arts.

FAMU anticipates strong results from new bar prep program

FAMU’s College of Law looks forward to favorable results from its newly restructured Bar Preparation Program. The program was introduced earlier this year to provide FAMU law students with the guidance and preparatory skills crucial for bar exam success.

“FAMU’s students are dedicated and hard working and we are committed to providing them with the best opportunities for accomplishment -- both in law school and on the bar exam,” says Dean Leroy Pernell. “The Academic Success and Bar Preparation Program is not only a true reflection of our educational mission, it also reaffirms our dedication to providing our students with a great legal education.”

The College of Law’s Academic Success and Bar Preparation Program (ASBP) recently underwent a significant overhaul under newly appointed director, Jendayi D. Saada, who is restructuring the program based on a “three-pronged approach.” According to Saada, the first and foundational prong of the program will give students the knowledge and understanding they need to increase their first-year GPA scores.

During the fall 2008 orientation, College of Law students were introduced to the primary skills needed to succeed in law school and on the bar exam. Saada explains that this early intervention will “greatly help students understand the direct correlation between first year GPA, graduating GPA and bar passage, as well as the potential impact of poor performance in the first year of law school.”

The second prong of the program is an Academic Success Workshop Series. This series is designed to provide students with the tools they need for processing the information in their substantive courses and doing well on their final exams.

“The workshops use a building block approach that begins with the most basic components of the law school experience such as time management, understanding course frameworks, and building course outlines,” said Saada. “These skills help students manage resources in the first year of school so that they can be more efficient and productive with their time. In addition to helping students understand the analytical process, the workshops will teach them effective strategies for answering multiple choice and essay questions as well as helpful tips for studying for final exams.”

The third and final prong of the ASBP consists of one-on-one meetings with students for more focused work on skills such as essay writing and study strategies. Currently, the ASBP is seeing approximately 50 students each week for individual counseling.

Though the recently released 2009 bar passage rates have caused concern among the FAMU College of Law community, Pernell is positive that the program will quickly and effectively turn things around.

“While the 2009 bar passage results are disappointing and not reflective of our students’ abilities, I am confident that the steps the Academic Success and Bar Preparation Program has begun to implement will improve these rates as early as the February 2010 bar exam,” he said.

The College of Law will begin a new program this fall -- in time for the February 2010 bar cycle. According to Saada, the new Bar Exam Success Training (BEST) Program will provide “a new level of individualized structure and support for FAMU graduates who are taking the bar exam.” It will also compliment the commercial bar review program by incorporating essay and multiple-choice writing workshops as well as individual training and structured study plans designed to assist students in passing the bar exam.

Rattlers valiant in loss to #11 Miami

QB Curtis Pulley accounts for over 200 total yards in Saturday night bout against UM

The FAMU Rattlers held their own here Saturday evening, going toe-to-toe with the #11-ranked University of Miami Hurricanes (4-1) before yielding a 48-16 decision on a warm and steamy evening at Land Shark Stadium.

A crowd of over 47,000 fans watched as the Rattlers (4-1) took the opening kickoff and drove close enough for a Trevor Scott 32-yard field goal to give them an early 3-0 lead.

Despite the final margin, there were a number of bright spots for FAMU, led by senior quarterback Curtis Pulley, who rushed for a team-high 81 yards and the Rattlers’ only touchdown, tallying on a 26-yard run late in the third period.

Pulley finished the night with 225 total yards, passing for 144 yards on 10 completions (25 attempts, 1 INT), to go with the 81 yards rushing yards on 17 carries. Junior Philip Sylvester finished with 24 yards rushing on 12 carries, with a 29-yard run that set up a Scott field goal.

Kevin Elliott (3 for 57 yards) and Adrian Smith (3 for 55 yards) led FAMU in receiving, while team co-leader Isaac West was held without a catch for the first time this season.

FAMU law holds accreditation celebration

Nearly 200 guests assembled to celebrate the accreditation of the FAMU College of Law during a program held in the school's atrium on October 3, 2009. The FAMU College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association on July 29, 2009.

The program featured remarks by FAMU Trustee Daryl Parks, FAMU President James H. Ammons, law school Dean LeRoy Pernell and Student Bar Association President James Simmons. The event also featured recognition of several individuals lauded for their efforts to reestablish the law school in Orlando including: former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum, and law school Board of Visitors Chairman Ronald Rogers.

Also featured was a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Corrine Brown and Congressman Alan Grayson presented to the school by Ronita Sanders, area director for Brown and Grayson.

E-College receives ABET diversity award

The Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering has been selected to receive one of the three national 2009 Claire Felbinger Awards from its accrediting agency.

The award is presented to recognize U.S.-based educational units, individuals, associations, and firms for extraordinary success in achieving or facilitating diversity and inclusiveness in the technological segments of society. The 2009 awards will be conferred on Wednesday, October 28, in San Antonio, Texas, at the 2009 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Commission Summit.

“When the College was established in 1982, its mission was to attract and graduate a greater number of minorities and women in professional engineering, engineering teaching and research, and to attain national and international recognition of the college through the educational and research achievements and the professional service of its faculty and students,” said Ching-Jen Chen, dean of the E-College. “We are meeting these goals through our accomplishments.”

ABET, Inc. is the professional accreditation agency providing leadership and quality assurance in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education. Both Florida A&M University and Florida State University have ABET-accredited programs.

The ABET award follows FAMU’s recent recognition for having the #1 most diverse College of Law in America.

Pictured: Students in the FAMU-Carnegie Mellon University Parternship for Research & Education in Materials (PREM).

Lettman tapped to lead civil rights organization

The National Black Justice Coalition Board of Directors has chosen Sharon J. Lettman, a proud Rattler, as the organization's new Executive Director. Headquartered in Washington, DC, The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and ending racism and homophobia.

"We must bring our families together," Lettman said. "Gay and transgender people are our children, our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, parents, co-workers and friends. They are a vital part of the black community, and it is time for everyone to recognize the real issues we all face when our brothers and sisters are denied full participation in the life of our community.”

Lettman’s efforts to advance the conversation of race, religion, and sexual orientation have shown remarkable progress through the African American Religious Affairs Program she led at People For the American Way Foundation that addressed Homophobia in the Black Church. In addition, The Gill Foundation highlighted Lettman in its 2008 annual report as a “key ally” for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality movement. She is also on the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats.

"What has always drawn me to this work, and to the people I've been proud to stand alongside, is the knowledge that we must work together to create the better future we seek," Lettman continued. "In my new role at NBJC, that means lifting the voices of our community, building bridges so that all who experience discrimination can understand the common ground we share, and walking across those bridges together in greater and greater numbers toward equal rights for all."

Prominent civil rights activist and former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berry said, "Having witnessed Lettman’s leadership firsthand while she led key initiatives at PFAW, I am certain she has the ability to unify families and our community and succeed in her goal to establish a common ground around black LGBT issues. Her unwavering commitment to social justice will break barriers at the intersection of race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Lettman, who attended FAMU, has a long track record of leadership. In 2000, Sharon was the Chief Administrator of the March on Tallahassee—the largest, organized, state capital demonstration in Florida's history. The march was in response to then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s attempt to end affirmative action by executive order in Florida. Two years later, she was the statewide campaign manager for the Florida Coalition to Reduce Class Size—a successful constitutional amendment initiative. Lettman also took great pride in the role she played as campaign manager and chief strategist for FAMU alumnus Andrew D. Gillum during his early election races for the Tallahassee City Commission.

Lettman resides in the Washington, DC area and recently married a Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force who returned this past July from a tour of duty in Balad, Iraq.

Miami ready to be “thrilled” by 100

Hurricanes football coach Randy Shannon is one of the thousands of Miami fans who can’t wait for the Marching 100 to take the field on Saturday.

“I'll be watching it,” Shannon said. “It's very rare that you get an opportunity to play a team like Florida A&M. And then you get a band to perform that everybody knows about. After enjoying a game and coaching in a game like that, you can't miss out on enjoying that band.”

Shannon helped champion the idea of bringing the 100 back on Land Shark Stadium's gridiron for a special postgame encore performance. The 100 will have seven minutes at halftime and then another 15 after game ends.

FAMU will play a tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.

“To march on the turf as their guest really is an honor, because we have so much respect for the University of Miami and their great school of music,” said FAMU Band Director Julian E. White. “It's a thrill for us. And I can assure the fans that they are going to get 15 minutes of music and marching entertainment.”

AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds’ overall positive story was marred by his failure to get up-to-date information about FAMU’s financial performance. Reynolds talked about the past fiscal management problems that President James Ammons inherited from an incompetent interim administration, but failed to mention that Ammons and his team received a clean financial statement audit from the Florida Auditor General in January.

Here’s Reynolds’ Twitter page. Let's encourage him to learn how to point and click to the Florida Auditor General’s website.

Hayes heading back to N.C.

Forget about Bill Hayes showing his face around FAMU after his last day on December 31st. He’s done with Tallahassee.

Hayes says that regardless of whether or not he lands the athletic director post at Winston-Salem State, he’s bidding farewell to Florida’s capital city and moving back to Winston-Salem, N.C.

"We have a home there still and we are coming back there to live no matter what happens," Hayes said. "I bet I've spent about three months total in that house since 1987."

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Hayes has spent lots of cash renovating his house in N.C. He plans to sell his current Tallahassee home.

The lame duck FAMU AD also gave some comedic remarks to the media.

"I've learned so much in how to build programs, raise money, and how to have booster clubs and halls of fames," Hayes said.

At FAMU, Hayes demonstrated the quality of his money raising skills by taking the athletic department from a $2.6M deficit to a $5.7M deficit. His brilliant fundraising plan was to ask students to bail him out by hiking up the athletic fee.

He used his great program-building experience to give FAMU an embarrassingly amateurish and sparsely updated athletic website. Hayes also showed his management skills by picking fights with coaches who were doing the best they could with severely limited resources and hurling the track program into a state of chaos.

Williams urges Rattlers to keep the dream alive

At last week’s Founders Day Convocation, State Rep. Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee) delivered a spirited address that urged FAMUans to continuing building upon the university’s legacy.

FAMU has had her share of challenges and threats, but I am glad to be here to say ‘I’m so proud, I’m from FAMU!’ ” Williams said.

Williams, a third-generation Rattler, explained how FAMU was conceived in times of oppression and inequality and how students must be thankful for its original leaders. He reflected back on his times at FAMU before he was a student.

“I can remember bagging Jake Gaither’s groceries at the local Winn-Dixie,” he said. “I even had the opportunity to meet and speak with former FAMU President B.L. Perry, about the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, of which I am a member.”

Williams urged the student body to be more than just students, and to one day become active members of the alumni association.

“Always remember that whenever you need one, there will be a Rattler for you to lean one,” he said.

According to Williams, FAMU needs every one of its constituents to lean on, in order for it to continue to grow and thrive.

“Continue to keep their dream," he said. "We must continue to create opportunities for students, faculty, staff and alumni. We must continue so that ‘Excellence with Caring’ will forever remain standing tall and true.”

Following Williams’ address, President James Ammons presented him with the President’s Award.

FAMU hauls in $257,306 in stimulus research dollars

The work of the FAMU stimulus-recovery committee led by Provost Cynthia Hughes-Harris and Vice President for Research Larry Robinson is paying off. Already, the university has netted $257,306 in research dollars offered by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The stimulus-recovery committee helped faculty members identify grant opportunities and prepare competitive applications. As part of this process, it launched a page on FAMU.edu that provided tips for developing proposals and listed grant programs.

FAMU received the sixth largest amount of research stimulus money in the State University System of Florida. UF led with $19.1M. FSU, UCF, USF, and FAU followed.

FIU and FGCU came in behind FAMU with $190,961 and $84,449 respectively. New College, UWF, and UNF did not receive any ARRA research grants - although the later two universities say they plan to submit applications.

The good news on FAMU’s stimulus research dollars comes after the university landed a $700,000 HBCU historic preservation grant to help renovate Sampson Hall.

Rattlers bite competition at X-C invite

The Rattler men’s and women’s cross country teams both boasted strong performances at last weekend’s inaugural Bobby Lang Invitational.

The men won their race, beating fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competitor Bethune-Cookman. The women finished second behind Albany State University.

Coach Darlene Moore told The FAMUan she’s excited about heading the Orange & Green running teams and has her sights on a successful future.

“I am excited about this opportunity to be at Florida A&M. I made up my mind that I wanted to coach on the Division I level and FAMU has always been my dream job. I want to recruit the strongest, fastest and smartest student-athletes to FAMU, so that we can elevate our program to compete on a national level. I want us to be competitive right away,” Moore said.

FAMU’s X-C teams are preparing for another Tallahassee race this weekend: the Florida State University Invitational.

Sports Information launches facebook and twitter pages

Vaughn Wilson wasted little time putting his stamp on the FAMU Sports Information Office launching a SI facebook fan page and a Twitter account over the weekend.

Now internet savvy Rattlers are only a mouse click or a "tweet" away from the the latest in FAMU Sports.

Study: Tying funding to grad rates could hurt education

In its 2005-2013 Strategic Plan, Florida’s Board of Governors calls for “a revised funding formula that rewards retention and graduation.” While this proposal is being presented as a way to improve academic performance throughout the State University System, a study by the American Federation of Teachers suggests this type of policy could do the very opposite.

Lawrence Gold and Lindsay Albert, who serve as director and senior associate of ATF Higher Education respectively, have raised serious questions about the increasingly popular idea of using college six-year graduation rates as criterion in funding.

Their report, entitled “Graduation Rates as a Measure of College Accountability,” outlines a number of pitfalls with tying college budgets to six-year graduation rates.

A simple look at six-year grades rates does “not take into account students who transfer from one college to another, students who attend part-time at some point during their college careers, students who have financial responsibilities that prevent them from graduating quickly, or students who enter college to improve their job skills and not necessarily to obtain a degree,” the authors wrote.

For example, part-time students make up about 40 percent of America’s college student population. Six-year grad rates fail to recognize how part time status affects a student’s ability to complete a baccalaureate degree quickly.

Tying funding to six-year grad rates could also “create a perverse incentive,” according to the authors. Colleges will be tempted to scale back their low income student populations, which usually take longer to graduate due to their lack of money for courses, or water down academic standards.

Grade inflation has been a big problem in the SUS for decades. If grade inflation isn’t fixed before dollars are attached to graduation and retention rates, then the problem will just get worse. Professors will be under pressure to further shrink the already tiny number of students who receive “F’s” – regardless of whether those failing grades are warranted.

Read the full report here.

Hollins addresses his departure from FAMU

In an email to friends and colleagues FAMU Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations Alvin Hollins talks about his departure from FAMU Athletics. The full email is below:

October 3, 2009


Dear All,

It is official. The reign of Alvin Hollins as the “Czar” of Sports Information at Florida A&M University is nearing its' end after 30 years.

No, I am not retiring to the Cayman Islands, nor has President Obama scooped me up to write speeches for him.

Instead, the university administration informed me on Thursday afternoon, October 1 that “management wanted to go in another direction.”

So my last day on the job officially will be December 28, 2009.

I wanted you to get the straight scoop from me, now that I have received official, written notification of my “separation” from the university.

Needless to say, the shock, the sadness and the emotions are really starting to set in now, but the calls and emails from many of you have kept me sane, especially since some of you have endured similar circumstances.

The outpouring of support from FAMU alumni, staff - even three former athletic directors and two presidents has been amazing.

Again, God Bless you all and thank you for your kindness and support down through the years and I will stay in touch.

Sincerely,
ALVIN HOLLINS
850-591-XXXX
rockstat7376@aol.com

p.s. - I do have 30 years plus in at FAMU so I can retire, thankfully, plus I have over 5,000 hours of sick leave and nearly 500 hours of annual leave…. I may head to Puerto Rico for a couple of months, wiggle my toes in the sand!!!

Rattlers shed no tears over AD's impending departure

Rattler fans everywhere rejoiced Friday at the news of the impending departure of Athletic Director Bill Hayes. Hayes was heralded as a turnaround expert with proven marketing skills that would increase attendance and fan support. In reality, Hayes turned out to be neither.

Under Hayes athletic marketing and promotion continued to be nonexistent, and his idea to limit access to Bragg Stadium's parking on game day was quickly shot down.

Hayes' "gruff" personality and management style often drew comparisons to Castell Bryant. A January poll of Rattler fans revealed that 64% had an unfavorable of opinion of Hayes, while only 23% approved of his job performance.

Several of Hayes' hires didn't workout including two associate AD's he brought in, and track coach Walter McCoy who resigned after only a week. Hayes riled Rattler fans over his firing of former track coach Rey Robinson.

FAMU X-C hosts Bobby Lang invitational

Today the FAMU Cross Country program will host the first Bobby Lang Cross Country Invitational on campus, beginning at 10 a.m.

The event is named in honor of the legendary FAMU Track and Field coach, Bobby Lang, who led the program from 1966 to 1999, winning over 30 conference titles in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

FAMU head coach Darlene Moore announced Tuesday that the first-time event will be run entirely on the FAMU campus, with the start and finish on the Pete Griffin Track.

Men’s competition (8-kilometers/5-miles) will begin at 10 a.m., while the women’s competition (5-kilometer/3-mile) will start at 10:45 a.m.

The running course starts on the FAMU track, winds around the football stadium, goes past the new University Teaching Gym, down Wahnish Way and up Okaloosa Street past the University fitness center, through the center of the campus (Martin Luther King), past old FAMU High, down FAMU Way back to Wahnish Way and back to the Griffin Track for the finish.

Joining host FAMU in Saturday’s event will be Albany (Ga.) State University, Edward Waters (Fla.) College, Bethune-Cookman (Fla.) University and Morehouse (Ga.) College.

Happy birthday FAMU! 122 years!

Hayes, McBee joining Hollins in early retirement

Director of Athletics William “Bill” Hayes submitted his resignation today effective December 31, 2009.

Letters of non renewal were issued to two other top officials in athletics in a shake up which has rocked the campus community. Bob McBee, associate athletic director for marketing, and Alvin Hollins, director of sports information, received notices of non-renewal and employment separation today from the university effective December 28, 2009.

“After much deliberation and thought, I have decided to move in a different direction with the FAMU athletic program,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We appreciate the services rendered by Mr. Hayes, Mr. McBee, and Mr. Hollins and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors. We will immediately begin a search for a new athletic director.”

Vaughn Wilson will assume Hollins’ duties. Wilson is a former FAMU football player and is director of photography for the Capital Outlook, a Tallahassee newspaper.
(click on press release to enlarge)

Report: Hollins out as SID

The FAMUan reports that FAMU Sports Information Director Alvin Hollins has received an ultimatum from the university administration: resign by Friday, October 2, 2009 or be fired.

Hollins, who’s worked at FAMU for 30 years, declined to confirm or deny the news.

According to the published report, the decision was made above the head of Athletic Director Bill Hayes.

The shake-up comes at a less than opportune time for FAMU. The university is in the middle of its football season, with seven games to go.

Study: NCAA gives stiffer penalties to HBCUs, non-BCS schools

A study by the Florida-based Michael L. Buckner Law Firm concluded that Bowl Championship Series (BCS) universities receive less stringent probation penalties from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) than other Division I institutions for violating the governing body’s rules. It also claimed that historically black colleges and universities in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference (HBCUs) receive higher probation penalties from the NCAA infractions committee than any other Division I category.

The study said the NCCA Committee on Infractions:

• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to universities in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC (BCS automatic-qualifier schools) while imposing an average 2.74-year probation penalty on all other Division I institutions.
• Issued an average 2.58-year probation penalty to FBS schools while imposing an average 2.86-year probation penalty on all other Division I schools.
• Issued an average 3.83-year probation penalty to HBCUs while imposing average 2.58, 2.58 and 2.54-year probation penalties on BCS automatic-qualifiers, FBS schools and on all Division I schools (excluding HBCUs), respectfully.

In response, NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn criticized the study’s methodology.

“The unsubstantiated claims made by the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm are based upon an inadequate examination of the facts,” Osburn said. “Specifically, its ‘research’ is reliant on a very small sample size of a handful of institutions and a methodology that fails to tests the claims against standard statistical criteria.”

Buckner fired back against what he called the NCAA’s “inaccurate and incomplete statements” about his research.

“The NCAA, instead of criticizing the study, should have joined with us in exploring how the membership can improve the rules-compliance programs and investigative capabilities of all universities,” Buckner said.