- Created on 25 March 2013
Blank Pledges to Put Newly Retired Center Todd McClue in Falcons Ring of Honor
The Atlanta Falcons were able to keep perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, but lost longtime another team anchor in the offseason. Todd McClure, who with 194 starts and 13 NFL seasons under his belt held the franchise record forconsecutive starts, announced his retirement.
At a ceremony honoring the newly retired lineman Monday Falcons owner Arthur Blank pledged to give him the team's highest honor.
"You deserve to be in that Ring of Honor," owner Arthur Blank said, "and we will get you there as soon as we can."
Blank's comments came during McClure's retirement press conference Monday where the team toasted him and his accomplishments with the team.
McClure was a seventh-round pick in 1999 and was considered undersized for the position. He was tutored by zone-blocking guru Alex Gibbs. Through the coaching tenures of Dan Reeves, Jim Mora, Bobby Petrino and Mike Smith, McClure remained a constant force on the offensive line, constantly fought off competition to keep his job. He eventually broke Keith Brooking's franchise record for consecutive starts.
Last year's second-round draft, Peter Konz, is expected to take over for McClure at center after struggling in 12 starts at right guard in his rookie season. NFL.com reports that the Falcons are counting on Konz to improve as he gains strength and moves back to his natural position.
- Created on 25 March 2013
Foster's Four Homeruns Lift Lady Panthers Over Claflin
Lead-off hitter Amari Foster found her swing as she clobbered four homeruns in Clark Atlanta University's sweep of conference foe Claflin University 5-4 and 12-9 in softball action Friday at Panther Field.
Foster, who struggled from the plate in recent games, was a hitting machine against Claflin as she slapped her first solo shot in game one that extended CAU's lead to 5-2 after six innings. Despite Claflin adding two more runs in the top of the seventh, the Lady Panthers' defense held on for the win. Senior Nicolette Anderson picked up the win on the mound for Clark Atlanta.
Claflin came out swinging in game two and jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fourth. But Foster's bat was still hot as she cleared the bases for her first career grand slam, which was her second homerun of the game, that pulled the Lady Panthers within one point, 8-7. Two batters later third baseman Alia Williams blasted a two-run shot over centerfield to give the Lady Panthers a 9-8 advantage.
Clark Atlanta recorded seven hits and six runs in the inning to reclaim the lead. Zhandria Usher's sacrifice fly and Foster's double tapped in two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning that sealed the win for the Panthers along with solid defensive work to hold off Claflin in the final at bat.
In game two, Foster was perfect at the plate on five appearances with seven RBIs, three homeruns, a single and a double along with four runs scored to lead the Lady Panthers. Williams added three RBIs on 2-of-3 appearances at the plate while Goodwin pitched a complete game in seven innings of work with four strike-outs and six earned runs.
Next, the Lady Panthers (13-15, SIAC 8-11) will travel to Fort Valley Tuesday, March 26, before hosting Benedict College at Panther Field Thursday, March 28, at 3 & 5 p.m.
- Created on 20 March 2013
CAU Women's Basketball Championship Celebration Set For March 28
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champion Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers will be honored during a post-season celebration on the CAU campus on Thursday, March 28 at 1.p.m.
The Lady Panthers basketball team, led by Head Coach Vanessa Moore, captured their first SIAC title since 1999 with a win over Benedict College on March 2. Under the four-year tenure of Athletic Director Dr. Tamika Smith-Jones, Clark Atlanta has won seven championships in five sports.
The Lady Panthers, who were seeded No. 8 fell to the top-seeded Sharks of Nova Southeastern University, 87-60, in the first round of the NCAA South Region Division II Tournament at the Don Taft Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 8.
- Created on 21 March 2013
Luke Project Annual Charity Golf Event Benefits Urban Youth
It's that time of year again.
Avid and amateur golfers alike are invited to participate in the upcoming Annual Luke Project Charity Golf Benefit, scheduled for Wednesday, April 14 at St. Ives Country Club in Duluth.
The Luke Project Inc. (Leading Urban Kids into Excellence), a non-profit organization that impacts the lives of hundreds of inner-city youth in Atlanta, has begun accepting applications for its annual event.
Send a kid to camp or provide needed after-school supplies by selecting from a variety of sponsorship levels while playing on a top-notch golf course. Proceeds will benefit the project's three entities, LukePrep, an after-school program; LukeCamp, a day and overnight summer camp; and LukeSports, an interscholastic sports league that provides opportunities to metro-Atlanta charter schools and community clubs.
Competition will also include additional opportunities for the best individual player, closest shot to pin, longest drive, and first-place gross and first-place net.
Registration is available up to tee-off time. To register and for more information, visit www.thelukeproject.com.
- Created on 20 March 2013
Atlanta Hawks to Hold Poetry Slam Finals for Atlanta High School Students Thursday
The Atlanta Hawks Organization will host its fourth annual Poetry Slam Finals Thursday night, March 21. The event will be held at the Hard Rock Café.
Nominations for the Atlanta Hawks Poetry Slam were accepted through February 15, 2013 and open to high school students in grades 9-12 who attend school within 75 miles of Philips Arena. The final round of the competition will feature 15 students from 12 different schools in seven different counties throughout Georgia.
This year's theme was "My Atlanta" and finalists will be judged on connection to the topic, overall message and originality/creativity.
Judges will include Atlanta Hawks Forward Dahntay Jones, Devika Rao of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Trent North, Director of Community Affairs and Program Compliance for Carrollton City Schools and poet, novelist and editor Collin Kelley.
