Howard Dismissed For Gesture: Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson has announced that reserve forward Earl Howard has been dismissed from the Hornets squad for making an obscene gesture on television. With three minutes remaining in the SWAC Championship game on March 13th against Alabama A&M, Howard was televised on ESPN2 making an obscene gesture into a camera. Then head coach Rob Spivery and his staff had no knowledge of Howard’s action when he was inserted into the game after making the gesture. Alabama State has issued an apology to its alumni and fans, as well as to the SWAC, Alabama A&M, and the national viewing audience. [9/5/05]