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Things looking ‘bullish’ for NSU’s Justin Smith
Justin Smith seems destined to make his name on Wall Street. But for now, the native Richmonder is quite content watching his own football stock soar like a rocket at Norfolk State University since arriving a few years ago as a lightly recruited freshman out of Benedictine College Preparatory.
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VUU rolls over Lincoln 32-0; faces Chowan this Saturday
Virginia Union University celebrated its homecoming in festive fashion. Now it hopes to play party pooper on an opponent’s special occasion.
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Maggie Walker’s home has big $ impact on local tourism, economy
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond’s Jackson Ward contributed close to $900,000 in overall economic impact for Richmond last year, according to a new report by the National Park Service.
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Deion Sanders in the running for TCU job
Deion Sanders’ coaching stint as Jackson State University has been sweet. But will it also be short?
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Graham is VUU’s human stop sign
Shamar Graham wears jersey No. 36, but an octagon stop sign in maroon and steel colors might better describe his gridiron duties. Not much in the way of ball carriers or pass receivers get past Virginia Union University’s aggressive, always ready to rumble linebacker out of nearby (3.2 miles apart) Thomas Jefferson High. “You don’t get 80 tackles standing around in a great defense like ours,” Coach Alvin Parker said. “Shamar makes plays ... he’s a playmaker.” In his first season as a starter, Graham had 84 tackles in 2022, including 7.5 for losses. He added two sacks, and three passes broke up. “I like to go full speed to the ball, sideline to sideline ... and never give up on a play,” Graham said. His ability to crush oppo- nent’s best-laid plans has earned him a nickname – “Showtime.” Among all returning CIAA players, Graham has the most tackles from the 2022 season. “He plays at such a high speed,” Coach Parker said. “He sees where the ball is going, and he goes after it.” The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Graham was here, there and ev- erywhere in a defensive unit that dominated opponents in a 9-2 season that produced an NCAA Division II invitation. Allowing just 17.9 points per game, VUU ranked second in the CIAA behind only conference champion Fayetteville State (17.3). Graham hails from a winning background. As a TJ senior in 2019, he earned All-State honors as a running back and linebacker as the Vikings reached the Class 2 state semifinals. The Richmonder is just warming up at VUU. Despite his tackling heroics, he didn’t make All-CIAA as a sophomore. That’s an award he’s in line for in 2023. The stop sign isn’t going away. There is good news and bad news regarding players coming and going. All-CIAA receiver John Jiles entered the transfer portal and will not likely be back, according to Coach Parker. The North Carolina native caught 40 passes for 627 yards and nine TDs last season after transferring to VUU from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. On the plus side, 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback J’Bore Gibbs, a former starter at FCS power South Dakota State, has transferred to VUU where he will compete with returnees Chris- tian Reid and R.J. Rosales. Gibbs, a native Chicagoan, had a banner freshman year at South Dakota State in 2019 before suffering a knee injury. He later transferred to the University of Idaho where he had yet another knee injury.
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VSU ends season in chilly NCAA match
Virginia State University’s epic football season ended last Saturday with a 35-14 loss to Bloomsburg State University in northeast Pennsylvania, in arctic-like conditions with temperatures never hitting 30.
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VSU on the lookout for its next great running back
Auditions for the marquee role of the next Trenton Cannon are now underway at Virginia State University. Realistically, the All-American tailback will be nearly impossible to replace. Finding a replacement might be compared to trying to find a fill-in for the Statue of Liberty.
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VSU takes winning streak on the road
Hot will meet cold this week in Salisbury, N.C., as Virginia State University, one of the NCAA Division II’s hottest football programs takes on struggling CIAA football rival Livingstone College on Saturday, Sept. 30.
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Armstrong softball team thrives despite lack of field, resources
The Armstrong High girls’ softball team didn’t win the official Conference 26 championship. But the Wildcats did claim the unofficial Richmond city title.
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Bailey’s VSU performance sparkles with speed
Scoring touchdowns is “no problem, mon” for Upton Bailey.
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VSU beats VUU; sets hopes on NCAA
Virginia State University has taken care of business on the football field. Now the Trojans must wait and hope. By edging Virginia Union University 27-24 in overtime last Saturday at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick, VSU is positioned for — but not assured — an NCAA Division II playoff bid.
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After-school programs now in all RPS middle and elementary schools
Students at Richmond’s Albert H. Hill Middle School now can sign up for free after-school programs, thanks to a partnership with Richmond Public Schools and the nonprofit NextUp RVA.
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Mexico neighbor not enemy
Presidential campaigns often turn raw. Politicians reach for sound bites that bite. Often they gain by playing on fears, winning by division, not by addition. In 2016, insult has become the coin of the campaign, particularly in the Republican primaries. And too often the enemy singled out has been Mexico and Mexicans.
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Richmond practice schedule announced for Washington NFL team
For a third straight year, Richmond will serve as the preseason training site for Washington’s NFL team. The Jay Gruden-coached pros will hold public practice sessions at the Bon Secours Training Center, 2401 W. Leigh St., July 30 through Aug. 16.
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VSU banking on a homecoming win this Saturday
This has been a “what if” football season for the Virginia State University Trojans. During the homecoming game this weekend, Trojans fans can’t help but ask “What if?” regarding three painful road losses that has VSU on the outside looking in at CIAA title and NCAA aspirations.
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Leadership changes in Richmond-Henrico health districts
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are undergoing another big change, as the director, Dr. Danny Avula, has been named by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin to lead the Virginia Department of Social Services.
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Promises by Bon Secours for new medical office buildings go unfulfilled
Bon Secours is still struggling to build long-awaited medical office buildings that collectively would create at least 175 new jobs in Church Hill and at the Westhampton School property the health care organization controls in the West End.
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VSU wins Labor Day Classic before crowd of 10,000-plus in Norfolk
Virginia State University continues knocking out its football opponents — even those in a larger division. Under Coach Reggie Barlow, the Trojans beat Norfolk State University 14-10 last Saturday before a crowd of 10,221 fans at the Labor Day Classic in damp Dick Price Stadium.
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Local health clinic pauses services
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts have stopped clinical operations at the Southwood Resource Center due to maintenance issues, bringing a temporary halt to health screenings, exams and other medical services that have been provided to the public there since 2018. The center is located at 1754 Clarkson Road. RHHD officials said patients with scheduled appointments at the site are being contacted to reschedule for other dates and locations until RHHD and Southwood management resolve problems at the site. Information about when the center will reopen has not been released. “This is an emerging and evolving situation,” said Margo Webb, director of community programs, in a statement. “Our clinical and community teams remain dedicated to serving the health needs of Southwood residents and are exploring options to prevent a gap in services.” The Southwood pool house will remain open and active for services and scheduled appointments, including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and other outreach efforts.
Photo
John Marshall High sophomore De’Marr McRae, left, elbow blocks a shot by George Wythe High freshman Ikechi Chantilou during last Friday’s Conference 26 championship game …
Published on February 24, 2017
