3/9/10 MEAC Preview

March 10th, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/voices/story/7193485/  (copy and paste into browser)

Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

3/1/10 CIAA Wrap

March 2nd, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/voices/blogpost/7145148/

Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

2/26/10 CIAA Semifinal Preview

February 26th, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/acc_tournament/story/7124208/

 

Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

2/23/10 CIAA Tournament Preview

February 24th, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/voices/blogpost/7105853/ (Please copy and paste if link is not highlighted)

 

Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

 

2/19/10 Update on Triangle Basketball Teams

February 19th, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/voices/blogpost/7080159/

Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

2/18/10 Shaw Retires Flip Murrays Jersey

February 18th, 2010

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/voices/blogpost/7044672/
Donal Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

2/10/10 We Goofed!!

February 10th, 2010

For four of the last five years, FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW has ranked the top 10 recruiting classes amongst the Division I HBCUs.  This year’s class was a little tougher to rank than in previous years.  With that being said, there is no doubt that North Carolina A&T should have been ranked in this year’s class.  We were not privy to some information and that information came out after we ranked the recruiting classes.  So with the being said, below is the capsule for North Carolina A&T.

We offer our sincerest apologies and have placed A&T in our top 10 recruiting class as they deserve to be.

Donal Ware.

“…remember to always support those that support you…”
Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

North Carolina A&T had one of its best recruiting classes in a very long time.  According to Rivals.com, A&T signed 16 two-star players and two three-star players.  What is even more impressive is that this is head coach Alonzo Lee and staff’s first full year of recruiting and they got just about every player they went after.  One of the prize possessions in this class was the signing of West Johnson (NC) RB C.J. Fredrick.  RB has been one of the bright spots over the last couple of years for the Aggies, with two backs having played in the NFL over the last 10 years (Maurice Smith, Maurice Hicks).  Frederick was rated the 73rd best running back in the country and 29th in the state.  Having a stable of running backs means you need some blocking.  Once again A&T did a good job signing players in the trenches; a total of four including three-star recruit William Robinson from Maryland’s Riverdale Baptist.  Robinson was offered by a number of schools including Buffalo and New Mexico State.  Coach Lee’s specialty is defense and the Aggies got a late commitment from Durham Hillside’s Eric Young.  At 6-3, 350 he is already physically ready to play right away on the collegiate level.  Quite a few schools had interest in Young including Florida State who offered him a scholarship.  A lot of times, most recruits may not contribute right away but the case may be different for some of these A&T recruits.  Eleven of A&T’s signees were outside of North Carolina and included Michigan, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Washington, DC.

2/1/10 Access Denied

February 1st, 2010


After being credentialed to cover the Super Bowl the last three years, including receiving a press box seat at last year’s Super Bowl, DWCommunications, LLC/FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW has been denied credentials to cover this year’s Super Bowl in Miami.  Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed by this.

 

When our organization was denied the request, these were some of the reasons that we were denied:

Media accreditation decisions are based on several factors. Among the most important is the audience reached by the applying organization. Significant emphasis is also placed upon the amount of on-site coverage an organization provides an NFL club on a regular basis.

In addition, only organizations whose primary purpose is providing original editorial content qualify for consideration for media accreditation.

Well, DWCommunications, LLC reaches millions through various entities most notably FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW, where the Boxtorow brand airs on over 100 radio stations around the country including nine NFL markets.  While I did not personally cover the club that we listed that we cover, we had someone else cover the respective team.  Also we do provide original content from our coverage of the Super Bowl doing live shows from Radio Row as well as the game story we did last year.

 

After conveying these things to the folks at the NFL in addition to listing the many NFL personnel that we have had as guests on the show over the years, the NFL came back and said:

 

We do not permit independent groups providing for multiple stations to apply on their own.  They must apply under one of the stations they are providing coverage for.  This is because we simply do not have the space to accommodate everyone in this category of media.

 

If this is the case how do other nationally syndicated shows cover the Super Bowl the week of?  How does the AP cover the Super Bowl?  While we are not the size of the AP, is it not the same premise?  An outlet providing for other outlets?

 

We don’t cover the NFL to cover the Super Bowl.  Any of you that listen to this show on a regular basis know that at least 20 percent of our coverage is the NFL.  We have former HBCU players as guests and non-HBCU players as guests.   We talk with prominent NFL writers.  We cover the NFL Draft from and HBCU perspective.

 

Furthermore, we are one of the very few media outlets where the majority of our listenership if Black.  The host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW is Black.  Most of the radio stations that carry the show are Black-owned or operated.  In a world where there is a lack of Black media covering major sports, why does the NFL deny one of the Black mediums credentials?  And we cover more specifically our HBCU players/personnel.

 

Let me break down for you what we miss out on and what you miss out on as a listener by us being denied credentials:

 

  1. No coverage of Antoine Bethea (Howard), Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M) and Chad Simpson (Morgan State).  Who would cover them like we would?
  2. In years past the Black journalists have gotten together for a gathering during Super Bowl week
  3. Our listeners have gotten accustomed to having FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW live from the Super Bowl
  4. It is not something we typically do but we miss out on covering FAMU’s band who will perform at the Super Bowl
  5. No coverage of the Pro Bowl, Nick Collins (Bethune-Cookman)
  6. No coverage of the NFL’s service to the community
  7. Finally, I reached out to Florida Memorial University, the the Chair of the Communications Department, prior to being denied credentials to see if they had some students that would be interested in chronicling our coverage of the SB.  This would be real life and up and close experience for these students, sort of a week-long internship.  How do our school’s students get that type of experience?  Are they being reached out to? 

The bottom line is we have registered for credentials for the last three years under DWCommunications and this year was no different and now all of a sudden it’s a problem and we have received two different reasons as to why we are not credentialed?  We are a legitimate media outlet who belongs at this venue.  We are being denied and we are still not clear as to why.

Thank you so much for your continued support.  Obviously this is not the end of the world, but this is a venue where we belong.  Thank you again.

Donal Ware.

“…remember to always support those that support you…”
Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

12/20/09 Inaugural HBCU Bowl a Success

December 20th, 2009

I thought that the inaugural Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl was outstanding.  There was an estimated 3,000 fans in attendance which isn’t bad for the first go around.  The game, really more like an event has some REAL potential.  In talking to the players this week  they enjoyed their experience

 

Who stood out?

I thought one of the best players on the field was South Carolina State DB Phillip Adams.  Adams locked receivers down in the drills during the course of the week and in the game it was no different.  I don’t believe he had a ball caught on him and he had one interception and one pass break up.

 

Despite completing only 36 percent of his passes I thought Norfolk State quarterback Dennis Brown played pretty well.  Because of the injury to Curtis Pulley, Brown played all but one series of snaps.  He was only sacked once, completed nine passes for 117 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions.  He also had a couple of dropped balls.  He stepped up in the pocket and threw a nice tight spiral with good velocity.  He showed an ability to scramble as well and was only sacked once.

 

Hampton RB LaMarcus Coker was one of the best all around players on the field.  Coming off his 200-yard rushing performance at the East Coast Bowl on Nov. 28, He carried the ball 8 times for 35 yards and also had 3 receptions for 82 yards and 1 TD, on a nice designed play where he ran a route out of the backfield and was wide open for the 33-yarder.  He also dropped two balls looking to run before he caught the ball, one of which would have been another touchdown.

 

FAMU DT Cameron Houston wreaked havoc on West backs all game.  He was credited with 2.5 tackles for loss, but he seemed to have had more than that.  He was in the backfield all game, man-handling solid West offensive linemen.  He also recorded 1.5 sacks.

 

If Adams was the best corner, then Tuskegee’s Justin Hannah was 2nd, at least in the game.  He was extremely physical against East receivers, had one pick and broke up another pass.

 

Norfolk State safety Terrell Whitehead showed why he has received many accolades over the last two seasons.  Whitehead showed great range.  He picked off a pass, broke up another and late in the game appeared to have tapped both feet inbounds on a 2nd interception but he was said to have been out of bounds.

 

Morgan State RB Devan James showed the running ability that made him and All-MEAC performer a year ago.  He led all RB in rushing (57 yards) and averaged 5.2 yards per carry.  He ran hard between the tackles and showed the ability to break tackles at the line of scrimmage.

 

Alcorn QB Tim Buckley completed 5-of-17 passes and 1 INT., but completed TD passes  and the of 24 and 29 yards, while rushing for 60 yards on 5 carries, despite being under constant pressure.  He showed some great escapibility and the ability to improvise when plays broke down.

 

Disappointments

Southern WR Juamorris Stewart may have been the premier receiver in BCF, but from my understanding opted not to participate.  Appearentley, he opted to play in Texas vs. the Nation Bowl game.  There were 20+ NFL teams represented this year.  He is one of the premier players in BCF.  He should have been there.

 

FAMU QB Curtis Pulley did not play because of a groin.  I would have loved to see him play amongst the best.  Even though he couldn’t/didn’t play, more importantly he was there and was one of the guys.

 

I was surprised not to have seen Southern QB Bryant Lee, perhaps BCF most prolific passer, play more at quarterback.  He played two series, completing 2-of-5 passes for 21 yards and was sacked once, while carrying the ball 3 times for a net of two yards (rushed for 18, but loss 16).  He played some wide receiver and had one reception for 10 yards.

 

This year’s juniors have much to look forward to next year.  Guys like Grambling’s Christian Anthony, South Carolina State’s Malcolm Long and Clark-Atlanta’s Winston Thompson. 

 

This year’s group set the standard and has given the younger guys something to really look forward to.


Donal Ware.
“…remember to always support those that support you…”
 

Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 2 – 3 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

12/19/09 HBCU Bowl, HUGE

December 19th, 2009

The inaugural HBCU Bowl has been a big hit with everybody involved - the City of Montgomery, NFL Scouts, the media and most importantly, the players.  It’s kind of interesting because I talk about a lot of these guys or to some of them on a week-to-week basis.  And I have talked to and been around a lot of pro athletes and entertainers.  But to actually be able to communicate with these outstanding players, the ones I talk about each week, and get to get to meet and talk to them in person, guys with names like Whitehead, Hannah, Pulley, Harewood, McKenna, Banks, Howard, etc. it’s like surreal.

Great job by Synergy Sports Associates and the City of Montgomery.  This is just the beginning of big things to come for this event. 

Don’t forget to LISTEN to the game Sat., Dec. 19 on Classics Sports Radio Network @ www.classicsportsradio.com beginning with the pregame show at 2:30 p.m. ET with yours truly and Steve Robinson on the call.

Donal Ware.
“…remember to always support those that support you…”
 

Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays during the football season from 2 – 3 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.