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Samantha Cunningham of VSU earns All-CIAA honors
Virginia State University softball slug- ger Samantha Cunningham went out with a bang, or rather a sharp ping from her metal alloy bat. In her final season wearing the Trojans’ orange and blue, the senior third base player from Waukegan, Ill., earned All-CIAA hon- ors while leading the conference in hitting at .467. Cunningham finished with 13 doubles, three home runs, 29 runs batted in and struck Delaware State president, athletes decry search of team bus by Georgia deputies Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. The president of Delaware State University, a historically Black college, accused sheriff’s deputies in Georgia of intimidating and humiliating the university’s women’s lacrosse team when deputies pulled over the athletes’ bus and searched it for drugs. Delaware State University President Tony Allen said he’s “incensed” by the April 20 traffic stop along Interstate 95 south of Savannah as the team returned from a game in Florida. In a letter to students and faculty, Dr. Allen said nothing illegal was found and campus officials were “exploring options for recourse — legal and otherwise.” “We do not intend to let this or any other incident like it pass idly by,” Dr. Allen said in the letter posted Monday on the university’s social media pages. Liberty County, Ga., Sheriff William Bowman, who is Black, said Tuesday his office is conducting a formal review of the traffic stop. He said deputies had stopped other commercial vehicles the same morning along I-95 and found drugs on a different bus. The team’s chartered bus was stopped because it was traveling in the left lane, which is a violation of Georgia law, he said. The sheriff said deputies decided to search the team’s bus when a drug-sniffing dog “alerted” alongside it. “I do not exercise racial profiling, allow racial profiling or encourage racial profiling,” Sheriff Bowman told reporters. The sheriff added that based on what he already knows, “I believe the stop was legal.” No one was arrested or charged. The sheriff said the bus driver was given a warning. Video posted online by one of the Delaware State lacrosse players shows two white deputies on the bus. One of them tells the bus passengers that possessing marijuana remains illegal in Georgia. “If there is anything in y’all’s luggage, we’re probably going to find it, OK,” the deputy says. “I’m not looking for a little bit of marijuana, but I’m pretty sure you guys’ chaperones are probably going to be disappointed in you if we find any.” The deputy continues : “You guys are on a lacrosse team, correct? If there is something in there that is questionable, please tell me now. Because if we find it, guess what? We’re not going to be able to help you.” Sydney Anderson, the student who posted the video, wrote in the campus publication The Hornet Newspaper that team members felt there was “underlying racism” behind the search. “The team members were in shock, as they witnessed the of- ficers rambling through their bags,” Ms. Anderson wrote. “They brought the K-9 dog out to sniff their luggage. The cops began tossing underwear and other feminine products, in an attempt to locate narcotics.” Georgia courts have held that the odor of marijuana is enough to give police probable cause to search vehicles without a warrant. The sheriff said he welcomes feedback from the lacrosse team. “We realize that in this current environment, even a traffic stop can be alarming to citizens, especially African-Americans,” Sheriff Bowman said. out only four times in more than 100 plate appearances. Earning second team honors for the Trojans were designated player Macy Beville from nearby Dinwiddie and pitcher Alaijah Pratt from Lusby, Md. Also, Pratt and Desmyn Owens of Lawrenceville made the All-Freshman team. Under first-year Coach Jameshia Smith, VSU finished 20-13 overall and 13-4 in the CIAA. The Trojans’ season ended with a 6-4 loss to Bowie State University on May 7 in the loser’s bracket final of the CIAA Tournament in Glen Allen.
VCU Rams jostle the crowns of basketball royalty
Native New Yorker Melvin Johnson wasn’t about to get blinded by the lights on arguably college basketball’s brightest stage, Madison Square Garden.
Keishawn Pulley sweetens Randolph-Macon’s success
Of all the college basketball programs in America, perhaps the most consistent winner of all is just 19 miles north of Richmond.
Versatility defines Princeton’s Tosan Evbuomwan
NCAA March Madness is known for its heartwarming, underdog Cinderella stories. This year’s “Cinderella” wears pink shoelaces, speaks with an English accent, and has a name many mispronounce.
VSU women bring home CIAA crown
Virginia State University’s women’s basketball team picked the right time and right place for its best basketball of the season. The Trojans not only won their first CIAA tournament since 2002, they won in a blowout, routing Lincoln University 73-49 at Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena. In the semifinals, VSU drubbed Shaw University 69-47, denying the Bears a shot at a fifth consecutive crown. Now VSU will carry an overall 20-9 record into the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament. Pairings will be announced March 8.
Freshman Pitts making big splash at VUU
Demarius Pitts saw no need to meekly dip his toes in the water to get a feel for college basketball. Boldly, he dove in head first instead.
VCU baseball season ends at NCAA regional in Mississippi
The Virginia Commonwealth University baseball season hit a dead end in Starkville, Miss.
Gregory Odom Jr. takes honors in collegiate championship
Howard University golf is back on the map and Gregory Odom Jr. is making the most of the opportunity.
Megan Walker temporarily sidelined with WNBA New York Liberty
The New York Liberty has hit the refresh button.
VSU’s Alexis McNair earns new title
Alexis McNair sparkles in the classroom, on the volleyball court and even at The Diamond on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
NSU opts out of football until fall
Norfolk State University, which was scheduled to play its first football game of the season next week, has now decided to opt out of its winter-spring football season because of health concerns linked to the pandemic.
WNBA’s Megan Walker traded to the Phoenix Mercury
Megan Walker is taking her jump shot from the Big Apple to the desert.
Howard snags another top high school player
Howard University has struck gold again on the basketball recruiting front.
Tiger Woods and son to play in tournament
When Tiger Woods tees off for the PNC Cham- pionships next month, he will have an interesting playing partner — his 11-year-old son, Charlie.
Losing streak mars NSU’s MEAC entry
In another week or so, Norfolk State will either be kicking up its heels at the NCAA Big Dance, or dejectedly asking, “What if?”
Antoine Craig named Sports Ambassador by the USABA
Being blind hasn’t stopped Antoine Craig from achieving much success. Now he hopes to encourage others to do likewise.
VIA Heritage Association to induct inaugural Hall of Fame group
Numerous athletes, coaches and contributors from the Richmond area have been named to Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association’s (VIAHA) inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The induction banquet will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 20, at DoubleTree by Hilton in Charlottesville, 990 Hilton Heights Road.
Former NBA star Rick Mahorn to be inducted into Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame
Former Hampton University basketball sensation Rick Mahorn has been selected for the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame.
VCU vs. U.Va.: Siegel Center thriller Friday
Virginia Commonwealth University holds the all-time basketball upper hand over every state school except one — the University of Virginia.
Jackson State wins SWAC Championship heads to Celebration Bowl
Jackson State University, riding a nine-game winning streak, is making plans for the Saturday, Dec. 18, Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
