Softball ranked in preseason polls

MSU softball team was ranked No. 24 in the ESPN.com/USA Today Softball Top 25 preseason poll released Wednesday.

The Spartans are one of just three Big Ten teams in the top 25, including No. 7 Michigan and No. 18 Iowa.

The Spartans advanced to the NCAA Regional last season to lose, 5-0, to UCLA.

MSU returns eight letter-winners this year, including senior third-team All-America pitcher Jessica Beech, and seniors Natalie Furrow and Brittney Green, first and third base, respectively, both All-Great Lakes Region picks.

The Spartans kick off their season Feb. 14 against Jacksonville during the USF-Wilson Tournament, held in Tampa, Fla.

Spartans national win to be re-broadcast

On Jan. 24 and 25, FOX Sports Net Detroit will play the 2004 United States National Junior Team's semi-final and gold medal wins at the 2004 International Ice Hockey World Junior Championship.

Three Spartans appeared on the squad, including sophomore forward David Booth, sophomore defenseman Corey Potter and freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari.

The gold medal win was the United States' first.

The semi-final is scheduled to air at 6 p.m. Jan. 24, and the championship will be shown at 3:30 p.m. the following day.

'U' facility takes top honors in 2003

MSU's track and field hockey facility was named 2003 Track Facility of the Year on Thursday, the U.S. Tennis Court and Track Builder's Association's highest honor.

The facility was renovated in 2002, to the tune of $3.2 million.