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Southern's female strength and conditioning coach making history

Southern's female strength and conditioning coach making history

When she tells people what she does for a living, Corliss Fingers says she’s constantly reminded of her gender.

“I’ll introduce myself or they’ll say ‘I heard about you’ and then look at me and say ‘but you’re a female,’” she recalls.

Fingers laughs it off. As the head strength and conditioning coach at Southern University and the only female to hold the position in the NCAA Division 1 football program (which includes the Southwestern Athletic Conference), she’s used to it.

“To me honestly, it really isn’t a big deal,” she says. “I’m a strength and conditioning coach with 18 years of experience.  It’s an accomplishment, but it’s not overwhelming. I"ve been doing it for so long.”

It’s very rare though. She can recall only two other females ever holding the position.

Before joining Southern in February, Fingers worked at the University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland.

Baton Rouge Bishop dies shortly after preaching sermon

Baton Rouge Bishop dies shortly after preaching sermon

The community is mourning the loss of Bishop Richard Allmon Senior of Full Gospel United Pentecostal Church on Mickens Road . He died Sunday April 15 after preaching his last sermon entitled "I've done enough already." 

He was 57 years old.

“He literally preached his own eulogy and we didn’t know it,” his son Raymond Allmon tells WAFB.

Family members say after preaching his sermon, he sat down on the front row with his wife, told her his legs were hurting, and instructed her to call an ambulance.  He died later at the hospital from a blood clot.

Rev. Allmon had been pastoring the church for 30 years. He and his wife Lois had 12 children and they had been married for nearly 40 years.  Family members say he was the picture of health, jogging about eight miles a day.

His son Rev. Ricky Allmon says he father died with a big smile on his face.

“He looked around the doctor to my sister Rachel and says “I’m gone,” with a big smile on his face and then turned toward my mother,” Rev. Ricky said. “I didn’t know a greater human being or a greater man.”
 

Rev.

WAFB's Donna Britt presented key to New Roads

WAFB's Donna Britt presented key to New Roads

Our very own WAFB Anchor Donna Britt was honored today, April 11, with a key to the city of New Roads. The key was presented by Mayor Robert Myer.

Britt was speaking at a cancer survivor's luncheon. It was one of the most successful luncheons in its 15-year history, according to organizers  Bobby Bizzette and Jeanne LeJeune.  

Point Coupee Hospital was there setting up appointments for mammograms. Susan G. Komen was one of the sponsors.

Others in attendance included Sheriff Bud Torres, former WAFB Meteorologist Mike Graham and his wife Gloria who is also a cancer survivor.

Residents  are excited that 9News This Morning's Road Trip will roll through New Roads on May 4.  The show will be setup along the Parkway, by the Gazebo behind City Hall. The public is invited to attend. The show runs from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

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Nathan Crowson benefit concert set for April 20

Nathan Crowson benefit concert set for April 20

A beneift concert will be held in honor of Nathan Crowson, a former WAFB employee who was killed in January while riding his bicycle on Perkins Road.

Billy Callaway is organizing the effort. His band, Zenbilly, along with two others -- Bedlam Ville Triflers and Flatbed Honeymoon-- will perform at the Red Star, 222 Laurel Street downtown, on Friday, April 20 starting at 10 p.m.

Donations will be accepted at the door and given to Crowson's five-year-old daughter Katherine Coburn. A fund has been setup for her at E Federal Credit Union.

In addition, B.R.A.S.S. (Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets) will also be holding a bike rally on that day riding from Mid City to Red Star.

For more information, call Callaway at (225) 772-2356.


 

Services set for LSU graduate killed in crash

Services set for LSU graduate killed in crash

Visitation for 26-year-old Daniel Couvillion of Greenwell Springs are set for tonight April 3 at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Boulevard, in Baton Rouge from 5 p.m to 9 p.m.

Couvillion, an LSU graduate and an avid LSU sports fan,  was killed March 31 when his truck travelled off the road and struck a drain, causing the vehicle to flip.

Visitation will also be held tomorrow, Wednesday, April  4,  at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m and the funeral will follow at at 1 p.m.

Mo Isom to appear on "Ellen"

Mo Isom to appear on "Ellen"

In the wake of her tryout as a placekicker for the LSU Football team in March, former LSU Soccer goalkeeper Mo Isom will appear as an in-studio guest on Tuesday’s episode (April 3) of  the Ellen DeGeneres Show airing at 4 p.m. in Baton Rouge.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show airs each weekday on NBC affiliates across the country. 

The website for show previews the episode by saying, “Then, an incredible female athlete, Mo Isom, challenged the norm by trying out to be a kicker for the LSU Football team. Her amazing story of tragedy and triumph, as well as her remarkable talent will inspire you to take on the world!”

 

Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin

A viewer sent this photo showing a young boy with a picture of slain Forida teen Trayvon Martin etched in his head.

The public outcry over the case continues nationwide.  Neighborhood Watch member George Zimmerman of Sanford, Florida shot the teen after calling 911 and reporting that he looked suspicious.  A few minutes later, the teen was dead. Martin said it was self defense and has not been arrested.

Marches and vigils have been held across the country in protest as participants want Zimmerman arrested and charged for murder. A state and federal investigation is underway.