Norfolk State University

Issue: May-June 2009

NSU’s Don Carey Drafted in 6^th Round by Cleveland

Norfolk State University defensive back Don Carey (Norfolk, Va.) was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft on Sunday afternoon.

Carey was the fourth selection of the sixth round, and the No. 177 overall pick. He is NSU’s first NFL draftee in the Division I era (since 1998). The last Spartans to be drafted were offensive lineman Kenneth McDaniel and receiver James Roe, both of whom were selected in 1996. McDaniel was a fifth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys and Roe was a sixth-round selection of the Baltimore Ravens.

Carey was the only MEAC player selected in this year’s draft.

“I’m very glad to get this opportunity, because very few people get a chance to experience this,” Carey said. “It was a long process getting to this weekend, and I’m glad it’s over. But I can’t wait to go to Cleveland and meet with coach (Eric) Mangini. Now it’s time for me to start preparing.”

“We’re extremely excited for Don. He is very deserving of this opportunity,” NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. “This just shows you what hard work can do for you. Don had a terrific four-year career at Norfolk State, and we know he will represent the university very well.”

Carey was a four-year starter for NSU from 2005-08. He was a two-time All-MEAC second-team pick in 2007 and 2008. As a senior in 2008, Carey tied for the MEAC lead with five interceptions. He also deflected six passes and scored two touchdowns, on a 94-yard interception return against Morgan State and a 49-yard fumble return the following week against Delaware State.

Carey capped his stellar career by becoming the first-ever Spartan to be selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game in January. In his four years at NSU, Carey posted 179 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions and 35 pass deflections.

Faculty and Staff Corner

Anita Cutler, special assistant to the provost/office manager, was recently nominated to serve on the Administrative Support Technology Advisory Committee for Tidewater Community College. This committee advises on curriculum and the committee members are asked to visit classes to share on-the-job experiences. She also had a poem titled “Unexpected Recipient” in the Norfolk Review, Spring 2009 edition. This is her fourth published poem in this publication.

Brenda Exum, assistant professor of social work, was named a 2009 Women of Distinction honoree in the volunteerism category by the YWCA of South Hampton Roads. Exum also serves as president of the board of directors for Lee’s Friends.

Rashi Morsi, associate professor of electronics engineering and director of the Creative Gaming Simulation Lab at NSU, was named a 2009 Women of Distinction honoree in the science/technology category by the YWCA of South Hampton Roads.

Spartan Men Finish 1^st, Women 3^rd at MEAC Outdoor Track Championship

The Norfolk State men’s track team captured its fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference outdoor championship on Saturday at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. In the process, the Spartans added to their own conference record by clinching the MEAC indoor-outdoor track sweep for a fourth straight school year.

The NSU men finished the meet with 133.5 points. Hampton was second with 104. The Spartan women also had a strong meet, finishing with 106 points. Hampton (119) and Maryland Eastern Shore (109) edged out the Spartans.

Spartan men’s coach Kenneth Giles was named the MEAC Men’s Most Outstanding Coach for the 16^th time in his tenure. Junior Marlon Woods was named Men’s Most Outstanding Performer for the second year in a row. He won the high jump, placed second in the long and triple jumps, and ran the anchor leg on the fourth-place 4x100 meter relay.

NSU's other MEAC champions on the men’s side included Corey Vinston (long jump, triple jump) and Brett Dodd (pole vault). Vinston, Woods, Trayman Hill (200m) and Thomas Speller (200m) have all qualified for the NCAA East Regional later this month.

On the women’s side, Jonee Artis won the MEAC title in the high jump and Katie Wright took gold in the pole vault. NSU captured first through fourth places in the pole vault. Seven NSU women qualified for the NCAA East Regional: Artis, Wright, Allyssa Pickett (400m hurdles), Shanneka Claiborne (100m, 4x100 relay), Tierra Flowers (4x100 relay), Portia Davenport (4x100 relay) and Wanetta Kirby (4x100 relay).