Latest news with #SWACTournament
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Jackson State coach headed to Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
Jackson State head men's basketball coach Mo Williams is getting his flowers in a major way. The former NBA Champion and Jackson native will officially join the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Williams made his mark early as a star at Murrah High School. He went on to play at the University of Alabama and built an impressive 13-year NBA career. Known for his smooth jumper and leadership, Williams reached the top in 2016. He helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first-ever NBA championship alongside LeBron James. Now, he's giving back to the game at Jackson State. Williams is building the Tigers and mentoring the next generation of hoopers. The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced his induction in June. He will be honored alongside a standout class: legendary Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry, football greats Steve Freeman, Mike Justice, Dexter McCluster, Derrick Nix, coach Steve Rives, and Robbie Webb. The induction weekend is set for August 1-2, 2025. It will be a celebration of Mississippi's rich sports history. Last season, Williams led Jackson State to a 15-17 overall record and a 10-8 finish in SWAC play. The Tigers showed resilience, securing key conference wins and locking in a top-five seed heading into the SWAC Tournament. Although they fell short of a championship run, the team's grit and growth throughout the season reflect Williams' leadership. He's laying a strong foundation and building momentum for the program's future. Mo Williams' journey-from the streets of Jackson to NBA glory and now to the Hall of Fame-is a full-circle moment. His story is a powerful reminder of hard work, dedication, and community impact. The post Jackson State coach headed to Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Detroit Pistons add HBCU star to summer league squad
Former HBCU basketball standout TJ Madlock has officially joined the Detroit Pistons Summer League roster following the 2025 NBA Draft. His addition continues a strong pipeline of HBCU talent earning professional opportunities through the NBA Summer the son of Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock, played his final college season with the Hornets, where he started all 32 games in 2024–25. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while leading Alabama State to its first SWAC Tournament appearance since 2019. His performance was a consistent bright spot for the HBCU program, with 28 games scoring in double figures, including a 30-point outburst at Prairie View A&M. A versatile guard with three years of HBCU basketball experience, Madlock began his career at South Carolina State before transferring to Alabama State. As a freshman, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists at SCSU. He followed that up with a strong sophomore season at Alabama State, earning SWAC Newcomer of the Year honors while averaging 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. Across his career, Madlock demonstrated the ability to score, defend, and facilitate, making him a valuable addition to the Detroit Pistons Summer League squad. Madlock's signing is another sign of increasing NBA interest in HBCU athletes. With the Summer League providing a key stage for undrafted talent, his inclusion on the Detroit Pistons roster gives him a chance to showcase his skills against elite competition. It also highlights the depth of talent coming out of HBCU programs, which continue to produce players capable of competing at the professional level. For HBCU basketball fans, Madlock's presence in the Summer League represents both pride and progress. As the Detroit Pistons prepare for Summer League action, Madlock will look to capitalize on the opportunity and prove that HBCU stars deserve a place in the NBA conversation. The post Detroit Pistons add HBCU star to summer league squad appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scotlandville library renovation enters next phase with community support
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — City leaders and residents gathered Monday to celebrate progress on the newly renovated Scotlandville Library, a project shaped by community input and deeply rooted in one of Baton Rouge's historic neighborhoods. 'We have listened to our patrons,' said Katrina Stokes, executive director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. 'We've conducted surveys and hosted community meetings to ask them: 'What do you want? What do you need from us?' The renovated library will feature expanded access to technology, new programs and meeting rooms, a community fridge, and a dedicated Black Heritage Room. Its colors — blue and yellow — pay homage to nearby Southern University and the cultural history of the community. 'It's going to be almost like a museum,' Candace Temple said. 'The Black Heritage section in the library is going to be just awesome.' Temple emphasized that the library system is always looking for ways to better serve its communities. Among those in attendance was East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Anthony Kenney, who grew up in the neighborhood and credits the library with shaping his path. 'We want to make sure we're increasing literacy in our communities,' Kenney said. 'As our kids grow up to become the next lawyers, council members, and mayors, we want to ensure the library is part of that foundation.' Mayor-President Sid Edwards also spoke at the event, reinforcing the shared vision among city and library leaders to make the library a welcoming space for all. The project is scheduled to be completed by February 2026. Scotlandville library renovation enters next phase with community support Southern University Baseball enters SWAC Tournament on late-season streak Freedom Caucus chair predicts 'big beautiful bill' lacks support to pass this week Democratic Rep. McIver charged with assault after skirmish at ICE center, New Jersey prosecutor says Fourth inmate captured, six still at large following Orleans Parish jailbreak: LSP Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU women's tennis team claims the 2025 SWAC Championship; second title in three years
FAMU women's tennis team claims the 2025 SWAC Championship; second title in three years The Florida A&M women's tennis team has reclaimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. On Easter Sunday, April 20, the third-seed Rattlers beat the top-seeded Jackson State Tigers 4-2 in the SWAC Tournament's title match at New Orleans' City Park Tennis Center. It's FAMU's second SWAC title in three years, winning it in 2023. Florida A&M women's tennis team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship at New Orleans' City Park Tennis Center on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The Rattlers beat No. 6 Southern 4-2 on Friday, April 18, and then the defending champions, No. 2 Alabama State, 4-3 to advance to the SWAC Tournament title match. Advertisement FAMU tennis' SWAC title win is the athletic program's 200th conference title. The FAMU men's golf team also celebrated a SWAC Tournament win this week, winning on Wednesday, April 16. The Rattlers tennis SWAC Championship earns them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which runs from Saturday, May 3 to Sunday, May 4. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU tennis teams wins 2025 SWAC Tournament match over Jackson State
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FAMU tennis headed to New Orleans to recapture SWAC Tournament championship trophy
FAMU tennis headed to New Orleans to recapture SWAC Tournament championship trophy The Florida A&M tennis team is headed somewhere that has become all too familiar. The Rattlers are headed to this weekend's Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, played at New Orleans' City Park Tennis Center. Advertisement FAMU (9-10, 7-2 in SWAC) enters the eight-team SWAC Tournament bracket as a three-seed and will match up against Southern (4-12, 4-5 in SWAC) in the first round. The first serve begins on Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Florida A&M head tennis coach and director of tennis Nikki Houston looks on during the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament at the City Park Tennis Center in New Orleans. When FAMU and Southern played during the regular season, the Rattlers came out on top with a 4-1 victory. 'The girls are confident that we can come out and play well this weekend,' FAMU tennis head coach Nikki Houston told the Tallahassee Democrat. 'We got Southern in the first round and are looking forward to playing them again.' The SWAC Tournament match is set for Sunday at 11 a.m. Advertisement If FAMU reaches the title match, it will be the program's third consecutive year competing for the SWAC Championship. In 2023, the Rattlers defeated Jackson State in the SWAC championship. Last year, FAMU lost to Alabama State in the SWAC Tournament's championship match. Florida A&M's Reagan Harris participates in a match at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex. Five of FAMU's six-woman roster remain from the Rattlers' SWAC Championship team. FAMU has four seniors and two juniors. 'We got a veteran team,' Houston explained. 'Everybody has been to the championship, the expectations, and the focus we have to go in with.' The SWAC tennis title may run through Jackson State and the defending champions Alabama State. Jackson State is the No. 1 seed, with Alabama State at No. 2. Advertisement Those were the only SWAC teams FAMU lost to during the regular season. 'Even though we didn't fan out the regular season like we wanted to, we were in those matches,' Houston said. 'It prepared us for the championship this year.' Florida A&M tennis player Sara Rakim participates in a match at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex in Tallahassee, Florida FAMU winning the SWAC title would be its second in the last three years. Houston helped the Rattlers win the 1997 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. 'It would be great and add to the legacy of FAMU tennis and athletics,' Houston said when asked about what winning the SWAC title would mean. 'We come in to graduate and get a ring. So, that's what we're trying to do.' Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU tennis aiming for 2nd SWAC title in last 3 years this weekend
