The post Stillman’s rally falls short at Mobile appeared first on Alabama Sports.

TUSCALOOSA – Stillman College head baseball coach Terrance Whittle has been named the Tigers’ new athletic director.

Whittle will replace Ken Alston, who was recently named associate athletic director at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Whittle will continue in his role as Stillman’s head baseball coach.

Whittle has served as Stillman’s head baseball coach since the 2017-18 academic year. In addition to coaching, Whittle was involved in game management for Stillman home athletic events and assisted in athletic administration duties. He serves on the Southern States Athletic Conference’s Striving For Equality (SFE) Place Committee and will become Stillman’s Champions of Character liaison to the conference.

“I am grateful and humbled by the support and trust that has been shown in me by our President Dr. Cynthia Warrick and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tyshawn Gardner in choosing me to steward the Stillman College Department of Athletics,” Whittle said. “Ken Alston established a dynamic culture under his leadership, and all who worked with him are better leaders and professionals because of it. It is my goal to continue building upon the legacy of my immediate predecessor and others who have come before me. I believe in transparency and cooperation, and I look forward to working with our coaches and all stakeholders of Stillman College athletics to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes.”

Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick said SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall’s recommendation, along with Whittle’s engagement in campus activities and conference diversity and inclusion programs, made Whittle’s hire “an easy decision.”

“All of the conference members know him and think highly of his fairness to all sports and his demonstrated leadership skills,” Warrick said.

Alston’s departure comes after four years as athletic director. During his tenure, he oversaw Stillman’s transition to the Southern States Athletic Conference and helped grow the athletic department with the hiring of additional staff, reestablishment of men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs, and planning for future sports additions. He served as chair of the Southern States’ SFE Place Committee, as well as various committees on campus.

“I am very excited to see Coach Whittle in his new role, one that he has already grown into,” Alston said. “The Stillman College Athletic department is in more than capable hands. Though it saddens me to leave, I’m extremely happy and thrilled to see AD Whittle become the amazing administrator I know he will be.”

Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick said she’s excited for Alston’s opportunity at St. Xavier.

“[Alston] provided the leadership for transitioning to the Southern States Athletics Conference and was recognized by the Conference and his peers for his commitment to student-athletes,” Warrick said. “He will be missed.”

Prior to joining the Stillman College staff in 2017, Whittle spent 16 seasons as head coach at Elizabeth City State University. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Virginia State University. During his time in NCAA Division II, he served a decade on the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional Advisory Selection Committee, including chair in 2008. He served five years on the NCAA Division II National Baseball Committee and was president of the CIAA Baseball Coaches Association from 2001-2005. In addition to college coaching, Whittle served as envoy coach for Major League Baseball International from 2002-2010, helping scout South Africa’s first World Baseball Classic and Olympics participant team, also serving as a technical advisor to the Nigerian national team during the All-Africa games. In January 2004, Major League Baseball International presented Whittle with the Julio Puente Envoy Coach of the Year Award. He also spent time coaching in Germany in 1999.

A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Whittle attended Chowan University – then Chowan College – before transferring to Virginia State and earning his degree in 1994. He received a master’s in education at Cambridge College. He has three children: Jamila, 28; Bilal, 21; and Shari’ah, 18.

SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall is pleased to see Stillman’s athletic director transition remain within the college to continue the program’s growth.

“Terrence Whittle is the perfect person to move the athletics department forward,” Hall said. “He has seen Ken’s work and is very experienced as a coach. He has many of the same qualities [Alston]: humble, organized and wants to see Stillman flourish moving forward. It speaks well of Ken and Dr. Warrick to promote from within with very little disruption to the overall administrative work for the department.”

Stillman College will begin its 2021-2022 athletic calendar Sept. 3 with the beginning of the 2021 men’s and women’s cross country season.

Stillman College, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a historical black college and university (HBCU). It is in its sixth year of membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

The post Terrance Whittle named Stillman College Athletic Director appeared first on Alabama Sports.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A nine day layoff did not slow the Tigers down. No. 23 Stillman College raced out to a 10-point lead in the first five minutes and never trailed en route to an 86-71 win at William Carey University on Feb. 5. The victory extended Stillman’s lead in the Southern States Athletic Conference West Division standings to 2.5 games over Loyola University.

Stillman shot 58.3% in the game, led in scoring by Trey Petty’s 27 points and 26 by Devin Merriweather.

After the initial double-digit lead, William Carey got no closer than seven points, 17-10, seven minutes into the game. Stillman stretched its lead to 21 points at halftime, 44-23. The largest lead was 24 points early in the second half.

Petty made 6-of-13 3-pointers and was 3-of-6 inside the arc.

All nine Tigers scored in the game. Virgil Field and Ladarius Carter dished out five and four assists, respectively. Roger Davis led all players with eight rebounds. Marcus Bates blocked three shots and Davis had two blocks.

William Carey was led by Sayveon Bumpers’ 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Zarkeichious Martin and William Gaines each scored a dozen points, while Jvari Thigpen added 10 points.

Stillman (9-1, 8-1 SSAC West) will meet William Carey (11-8, 4-5 SSAC West) once again Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. for the final of four meetings this season against the Crusaders.

The post Stillman beats Wiliam Carey, extends SSAC lead to 2.5 games appeared first on Alabama Sports.

The post Petty, Merriweather lead the way for unbeaten Tigers appeared first on Alabama Sports.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – Stillman College improved to 2-2 on the road Saturday with a 53-47 win at Blue Mountain College. With the win, Stillman improves to 2-4 in Southern States Athletic Conference West action.

De’Asia Marsh picked up where she left off Friday, coming up with a steal and basket in the first minute to give Stillman the first points of Saturday’s game. Stillman opened the game with a 6-0 run. Blue Mountain managed to tie the game at the end of the quarter, 12-12.

Blue Mountain took a brief lead with 4:30 left in the first half, but Marsh scored four points in the final 75 seconds to tie the game, 23-23 at halftime. Marsh finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting to lead Stillman for the second-straight night.

Zikira Williams, who scored 11 points, gave Stillman a 25-23 lead to open the third quarter and the Tigers maintained its lead the rest of the way. Stillman held Blue Mountain to 26.9% shooting in the second half and 29% in the game.

The Toppers’ closest margin in the second half was, 28-27, following a Kandice Ricks free throw. Zaria Jenkins helped stretch Stillman’s lead to seven points, 39-32, at the end of the third quarter. Stillman’s largest lead of the game, 41-32, came on a Devyn Lockhart basket to open the fourth quarter.

Jenkins was third in scoring for Stillman with seven points, while Brittany Washington and Imani Wimbish-Gay each scored six. Jenkins led the Tigers with six rebounds.

Ricks finished with 17 points and eight rebounds to lead BMC, followed by Jada Taylor’s eight points and seven by Mallory Russell.

Stillman (2-4, 2-3 SSAC West) is next scheduled to travel to New Orleans, Jan. 22-23, for a two-game set against No. 25 Loyola University.

The post Stillman women sweep weekend at Blue Mountain appeared first on Alabama Sports.

The post Stillman wins at Blue Mountain, moves to 6-0 appeared first on Alabama Sports.

The post Stillman tops BMC for first win in 2021 appeared first on Alabama Sports.

MOBILE – Four Tiger players scored in double figures for the third-straight game to pace Stillman College to a 71-55 win at the University of Mobile on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The win moves Stillman to 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in the Southern States Athletic Conference West Division.

The post Stillman defeats Mobile, improves to 4-0 appeared first on Alabama Sports.

MOBILE – Stillman College fell to 0-3 in Southern States Athletic Conference West Division play Tuesday with a 71-66 loss at the University of Mobile.

The post Stillman women fall at Mobile appeared first on Alabama Sports.

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – (Box Score) The Faulkner Lady Eagles swept into Blue Mountain Tuesday night and grabbed an 85-61 win to open the SSAC schedule.

The Eagle offense wasn’t shy about jacking up the three-ball, hitting 10 of 30 on the night.

The Faulkner bench had a say in the outcome, as Reed Sutton’s Lady Eagles poured in 30 from the sideline.

Channing Gafford led Faulkner in the conference win with 19 points, while teammates Micala Fisanick had 12 and Olivia Colson had 10.

Blue Mountain’s Mallory Russell (JR/Ingomar, Miss.) led her team with 15 points, while Olivia Chadwell (JR/Loretto, Tenn.) chipped in 13 and Mackenzie Lane (JR/Pontotoc, Miss.) had 10.

Faulkner came out hot in the first half, scoring 27 in both frames and leading 54-35.

Blue Mountain went on to shoot 37 percent from the field on the night, while Faulkner shot 43 percent.

The win puts Faulkner at 3-5, 1-0 SSAC and Blue Mountain at 3-5, 0-1 SSAC.

The Lady Toppers get back to SSAC work Friday as they host Stillman College at 5 p.m.

The post Faulkner beats Blue Mountain to open SSAC schedule appeared first on Alabama Sports.