theSCORE The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 24, 2011
New faces in the Athletics Department Karmen Robinson Sports Editor
Under the new administration of Earl Hilton, Director of Athletics for North Carolina A&T State University, there have been many new changes made within the Athletics Department. As of April 1, Katreshia Louis-Verrett began her position as the new Associate Athletics Director at North Carolina A&T replacing Darryl Hill. She left Georgia Tech where she served as Assistant Director of Compliance to fill this new position. “I left because this was a great opportunity,” she said. “This is a great school of higher education.” Louis-Verrett is now responsible for matters that involve new policies and procedures for the welfare of student athletes. “I want our student athletes to be successful. I understand what they’re going through, having a background as a student athlete.” Louis-Verrett is a 2000 graduate from the University of Miami and ran track for the Hurri-
canes. She also received her law degree from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Another addition in the Athletics Department includes Janah Fletcher serving as Interim Head Athletic Trainer. Many other positions in the administrative department for athletics are still in the process of being finalized. This year, there are also new faces within the sports teams. Three head coaches have been added to the coaching staff. Hal Clifton was recently hired as the new head coach of A&T’s women’s volleyball team. Prior to his new position, Clifton served as an assistant volleyball coach at Elon University where he helped lead the Phoenix to a 21-14 overall record in 2010. “I’m excited about the challenges that lie ahead,” Clifton said in a written statement. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the players are eager and so am I.” Clifton has also coached at St. Andrews Presbyterian College as well as on the high school level. He was also a member of the volleyball team
at Appalachian State University where he graduated with a degree in athletic training. Tony Veney was named the new Track and Field Director after the retirement of former coach Roy “Spaceman” Thompson. Thompson retired after a breech in protocol which led to the death of Jospin “Andre” Milandu, a 20 year-old sophomore trying out for the track team. Milandu collapsed on the track due to an elevated heart rate. He did not have physical on file and there was not a trainer present, both which goes against policy. Before taking the job at A&T, Veney coached at Ventura Community College, University of Oregon, Portland State University, California StateLos Angeles, Occidental College, and University of California, where he also lettered in track and field. “One of the things about the program that attracted me here was the potential performance,” said Veney. “The program has always tried to have a good reputation, and I just want to enhance it.” As the director, Veney will be responsible
for leading A&T’s men who coached the Aggies and women cross country, baseball team indoor track, and outdoor for the last 15 seasons. track. Joel Sanchez appears Rod Broadway to be the lead will be A&T’s sixth foot- candidate for the poball coach in ten years. He sition, but Hilton exwas hired in February as plained that there are the new head coach and more finalization probrought in an entire new cedures that must be host of assistant coaches. completed before they “I’m looking for- can officially announce ward to the challenge that Sanchez as head coach. lies ahead of us. If every- Sanchez spent eight thing I hear about Aggie seasons as an assistant Pride is true, we’re going coach for the Bethuneto win and win big here,” Cookman Wildcats and Broadway said in a written two seasons as a pitchstatement. ing coach for the Wash Broadway comes ington Nationals. to A&T with plenty of experience. He has coached -klrobin2@ncat.edu and for East Carolina Uni- follow her on Twitter versity, Duke University, @KayRobinson92. University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, and North Carolina Central University. His most recent coaching position was with Grambling State University. Broadway also played defensive lineman for the UNC Tarheels. The Athletics Department is also in the process of hiring a new baseball coach after Katreshia Louis-Verrett the resignation of Keith Shumate
7
AGGIES RUNDOWN football TEAM
MEAC 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
North Carolina A&T Morgan State North Carolina A&T Hampton MD Eastern Shore Delaware State South Carolina State Coppin State Bethune Cookman Norfolk State Howard
OVR. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
UPCOMING GAMES: Saturday, Sept 3 vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg Aggie Stadium 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept 10 vs. Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium 3:30 p.m.
volleyball TEAM North CarolinaA&T Bethune Cookman Morgan State Norfolk State Delaware State South Carolina State Hampton Florida A&M Coppin State Howard MD Eastern Shore
MEAC
OVR.
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: UNCG TOURNAMENT at Fleming Gymnasium Friday vs. Evansville 11 a.m. Friday vs. Coastal Carolina 5 p.m. Saturday vs. East Tennessee State 11 a.m. Saturday vs. UNCG 3 p.m.
AROUND SPORTS ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — Detroit Pistons rookie Kyle Singler has signed with Spanish club Lucentum Alicante for the upcoming season if a lockout wipes out the NBA season.
Rod Broadway
Hal Clifton
Tony Veney
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NC A&T SU SPORTS INFORMATION
Former Aggie playing in the pros Karmen robinson Sports Editor
Like sports? Like to write? The A&T Register is currently looking for writers to add to ‘the Score’. Come to the contributors meetings held every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the NCB, room 328A.
Janah Fletcher
Xavier Macklin, former A&T outfielder and hitting machine, is slowly but surely beginning to prove he belongs in the big leagues. The new professional was drafted in his junior season by the Vermont Lake Monsters, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. He was selected 376th overall in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Major League Baseball Player Draft. “Playing with the Lake Monsters has been a great experience,” said Macklin. “I’ve been meeting new people, getting to know my teammates, and playing a bunch of baseball. I love every minute of it.” The Vermont Lake Monsters currently have a 32-28 overall record, with Macklin playing in 41 of those games. He is averaging just .233 batting, and has 12 RBI total, 8 runs total, and no homeruns, but he continues to show gradual improvement each game. The Rocky Mount native led last year’s Aggie baseball team in runs, RBIs, homeruns, and slugging percentage. He is also impressively nationally ranked 2nd in homeruns, 3rd in slugging percentage, and 10th in RBIs. However, playing on the
professional level has proven to be a tougher task. “It was pretty difficult at first [adjusting from playing collegiate baseball to professional baseball]. It went from being half baseball, half school to all baseball. It wears on you physically and mentally. But I feel I’ve adjusted well,” he continued. “I’ve followed his progress. It’s an adjustment going from metal to wood as far as college and the professional level are concerned,” said A&T’s Assistant Coach Austin Love, who played on the Aggie baseball team from 1999-2004. “He’s one of the best we’ve ever had to play here, and I hope he goes as far as he’s capable of going.” Macklin was a Sports Science major at N. C. A&T when he decided to leave college early and sign with Oakland Athletics. “I made the decision to leave early because this was the opportunity of a lifetime. You don’t want to be left thinking “what if”, so I just jumped at the opportunity…I feel I made the right decision, but I do plan on finishing school,” said Macklin, as he emphasized that A&T would always be available for him to return to.” Among Macklin’s many collegiate honors and awards,
Alicante announced the deal on its website Tuesday saying the American, voted best player in leading Duke to the 2010 NCAA championship, has a get-out clause that allows him to return to the NBA should a lockout be avoided. The 23-year-old Singler can play various forward positions and was taken 33rd by the Pistons in the draft. Alicante plays in Spain’s top league. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Los Angeles forward Luke Walton will be working as an assistant to Memphis coach Josh Pastner in a deal that ends along with the NBA lockout so he can rejoin the Lakers.
he was recently selected to the 2011 American Baseball Coaches Association/ Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Atlantic Region Second Team. He was also a 2011 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association All-State selection, and received First Team All-MEAC honors his freshman, sophomore, and junior season. “I’m living my dream. Just that alone keeps me humbled and motivated to keep pushing.” -klrobin2@ncat.edu and follow her on Twitter @KayRobinson92.
Pastner announced the hiring Monday in a move that must be approved by university and Tennessee State Board of Regents. But the coach says the Tigers can learn a lot from Walton who has been coached by Phil Jackson and played with Kobe Bryant. Walton has two years left on his contract with the Lakers who drafted him in the second round out of Arizona in 2003. His father, Bill, has his own history with Memphis. Bill Walton scored 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting to beat then-Memphis State 87-66 in the 1973 NCAA tournament championship.