- Created on 10 May 2013
Former Coach Opens Georgia Prep Sports Academy in Atlanta
The new Georgia Prep Sports Academy (GPSA) is officially on the map in Atlanta.
GPSA held its first Open House on May 4 and 26 post-graduate athletes and their parents toured the facilities located at 444 Highland Ave. in northeast Atlanta.
GPSA, a bridge between high school and college, was the brainchild of Michael Carson, former football coach and educator in DeKalb County. GPSA holds a non-profit status, and will soon open its doors to its first class of student-athletes with a simple mission – to provide a platform for student-athletes to get on track academically in order to obtain scholarship dollars for higher education.
"I was motivated to start Georgia Prep based on my experience as a high school educator for 17 years, and dealing with kids every year who were not getting the opportunity to access scholarship funds on the next level," Carson said.
"Basically it is an academic problem...not having the minimum academic requirements to get into a college with their SAT and ACT test scores, primary course load and GPA requirements. "I resigned my position on Aug. 30, 2012, and started GPSA the next day," Carson continued.
The school not only recruited student-athletes from all over the Southeast to play for its inaugural 2013 season by aggressively reaching out to coaches all over the region, but has also recruited the services of Kaplan, the Phoenix Group and National High School to assist in focusing on any deficiencies the students may have.
"We've come to the point where a high school diploma is not enough, particularly with our Black males. It's a must for us to get to college and hopefully get a college degree for the playing field to be level for us," Carson continued.
Starting the new school meant cashing in his retirement to cover start-up costs. Carson is not only the architect and builder of Georgia Prep Sports Academy, but doubles as the program's first head football coach. He is now seeking additional funding from individuals and agencies who share in his commitment to youth development and athletics.
The Buford native and former head coach at Avondale and Martin Luther King Jr. high schools resigned from high school coaching after being accused of "sexting" an adult female who complained to the school.
With that embarrassment behind him, the award-winning coach will soon see his new vision become reality this fall when his Lions take the field for the first time. The football program has a viable schedule, opening with LaGrange College on Aug. 25.
GPSA looks to add additional programs like basketball and volleyball in the near future.
For more information, visit the following website: www.georgiaprepsportsacademy.org or call 678-663-7514.
- Created on 08 May 2013
Albany State to Open NCAA Division II Regionals Against No. 4 Valdosta State
The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has selected the 64 teams that will participate in the 2013 NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Champions Albany State University will face Gulf South Conference Champions Valdosta State University on Friday evening 7 p.m. at Blazer Park in Valdosta, Ga.
After losing its opening round match-up to Fort Valley State University, Albany State, (36-24), won seven consecutive games, which
included a sweep of Miles College, to claim its first SIAC Championship since 2010. One of the top hitting teams in Division II with 67 home runs for the season, Albany State will make its fifth appearance in the Division II Regionals. The Lady Rams are also ranked 10th in the South Region.
Ranked fourth nationally, and No. 1 overall in the South Region, Valdosta State (41-10) earned the top-seed after claiming its fifth consecutive GSC championship with a 4-3 win over Alabama-Huntsville.
Regional competition will be held May 10-12. Winners will advance to the super regionals May 17-18. The finals will be held May 23-27 at
James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va., and will be hosted by the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the City of Salem.
- Created on 06 May 2013
Braves Anxious to Get Back to Full Strength
The Braves looked like a well oiled machine in their 9-4 victory over the New York Mets Sunday afternoon, but that machine is still missing some key components.
The Braves, who hold a two game lead in the National League East, have four key players expected to make their return this season and two of them are big time sluggers. Six time all-star catcher Brian McCann has missed 30 games after an off-season surgery to a repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and golden glove winner Jason Heyward is on the 15-day disabled list after an emergency appendectomy last Monday.
"McCann is expected to fly with us to Cincinnati if he feels up to it," Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Heyward could travel to Cincinnati as well but there is no time table on him, he will be day-to-day."
Without some key players in the lineup, the Braves are still putting up impressive offensive numbers and are in first place in the N.L. with 41 homers.
In the third inning of Sunday's game, the team manufactured five runs without the aid of a home run. Justin Upton drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single after Andrelton Simmons reached base with a leadoff double and a Chris Johnson walk. Both Johnson, who replaced Heyward in the lineup after his injury, and Upton scored when Freedie Freeman launched a 3-1 pitch to deep left field. Freeman later scored on a wild pitch from Mets' starting pitcher Jonathon Niese.
"We haven't played a game yet with our full lineup and we're in first place so everyone is excited to get these guys back and healthy," said Johnson.
The Mets would make it interesting in k in the fourth inning when Braves' fans most loathed player David Wright belted a two-run homer to center field to cut the lead 5-2. But that Braves quickly answered back. In the fifth inning a Reed Johnson single scored Evan Gattis and Dan Uggla to extend the lead 7-2. Freeman added another run with his second home run of the season in the sixth.
Freeman finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI and a home run. The slumping Uggla and B.J. Upton combined to go 2-for-6 with three walks.
Hudson (4-1) pitched 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts giving up just three earned runs.
The Braves bullpen struggled to get an out in the eigth inning after Hudson's exit, giving up two runs. Lucas Duda had an RBI single and Justin Turner walked with the bases loaded.
The Braves, who have the third best ERA (3.23) in the majors, are still missing two pitchers. Brandon Beachy is expected back in June after Tommy John surgery, and Johhny Venters, who has a career 2.23 ERA with 258 strikeouts in 230 innings will also be rejoining the lineup later in the year.
On Sunday the Braves bats once again picked up up the bullpen. Upton reached on a lead off walk and later scored thanks to a sacrifice fly by Gattis.
McCann is expected to play against Cincinnati and Tyler Pastornicky will be optioned to the minors to make room for his return to the lineup. Having two prominent catchers in the lineup could prove to be tricky but Gonzalez could move Gattis to the outfield to play left and shift Justin Upton to right field.
"We are excited to have him back and have him healthy anytime you can plug an all-star in your lineup its a good thing," said Hudson.
The Braves will begin their 10-game road trip tonight at Cincinnati.
- Created on 07 May 2013
After Coming Out, Jason Collins Says He's Not Seeking a Book Deal
(AP) — Jason Collins, the NBA veteran who last week announced he was gay, is disputing reports from publishing insiders who say he is shopping a book deal.
Officials at three publishing houses told The Associated Press on Monday that they had been contacted about a planned memoir by Collins, the first active player in any of four major
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- Created on 06 May 2013
‘King James’ Wins 4th MVP Award, But Voting Was Not Unanimous
LeBron James was at his best this season, and the voters tasked with selecting the NBA’s Most Valuable Player took notice.
Every voter except one, that is.
The NBA still does not have a unanimous MVP, though no one has come closer than James did this season. The Miami Heat star was presented with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy for the fourth
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