When you think of last year's MSU football team, offense might come to mind. Then, high-scoring games. Then, names like Drew Stanton, Javon Ringer, Matt Trannon and Jerramy Scott. But in 2006, the defensive players plan on making you think of them. "We'll take the chip on our shoulders," junior safety Nehemiah Warrick said.
After MSU's kicking game failed on 69 percent of field goal tries last season, head coach John L.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Detroit Tigers are competitive. The last time this happened, MSU's new freshman class hadn't even escaped the womb. Yet, despite the glorious 82-49 record the team has amassed through Sunday's game, my feelings are most decidedly mixed. I have been at Comerica Park through thick and thin, through the "glory days" of the awesome 2000 season when Dean Palmer, Bobby Higginson and Jeff Weaver led the Tigers to a 79-83 record.
This year's Little League World Series boasts the tallest player in tournament history — 13-year-old Aaron Durley of Saudi Arabia, who is 6-foot-8. Tournament officials were concerned that Durley might actually be older than 13, but said they were reassured of Durley's age by his grandchildren. The Stanford Tree mascot was suspended for a game for unruly conduct during a game last season. The NCAA is also investigating whether or not the Tree committed a recruiting violation by accepting a gift from Pine-Sol. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens was fined $9,500 by the team on Sunday for missing several team events. The Cowboys said they would donate the money to the poor, defenseless fans assaulted by the media every time Owens hiccups. The University of Texas set an NCAA record with $8.2 million in merchandise royalties last season. Coming in last for a seventh consecutive season: Loser State. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will play an exhibition game in China next summer, The Associated Press reports. NBC might televise the game, but only if John Madden is able to figure out the Chinese translation of "Boom!"
The Big Ten Men's Basketball Foreign Tour team is off to a rocky start, after splitting its first two games in the four-game tour in Australia.
Mexico City — On Saturday, the United States Under-20 Women's Basketball Team (5-0) took home the gold medal in the tournament under the leadership of MSU women's basketball head coach Joanne P.
Tickets for five of MSU's seven home football games this season are on sale now. Single-game tickets are available for every home contest with the exception of the Notre Dame and Ohio State games.
Chicago — While you won't see any games for about another month, this week's 2006 Big Ten Football Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon signifies the beginning of the season. The event was reminiscent of a star-studded red carpet movie premiere.
The reorganization of the MSU track and field program came to an end July 31 with the announcement of three new staff members. Track and field director Walt Drenth welcomed to the program Chris Bostwick as associate coach of jumps Kathy Rounds as assistant coach of sprints/hurdles and Randy Gillon as assistant coach of sprints/mulit-events. "Randy, Kathy and Chris are true students of the sport and are exceptional teachers who will continue to expand their base of coaching knowledge," Drenth said in a press release. Rounds previously coached the Spartan men's cross country and sprint teams, while Bostwick was an assistant coach at the University of Miami (Ohio), and Gillon was a director at Prime Function Strength and Rehabilitation Training Systems in Toronto.
The Spartan football team will be hosting two free events Aug. 12. Both events are open to the public. From 10-11:30 a.m.
Another MSU basketball player has been named to a foreign tour team. Sophomore guard Travis Walton has earned a spot with the Big Ten Men's Basketball Foreign Tour Team. Walton will travel with the team Aug.
Former Spartan basketball player Shannon Brown will return to Lansing tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. to thank fans for their support. Brown will take part in a free autograph signing at Champs Sports, 5524 W.
The Mid-Michigan Touchdown Club has announced the date for the 2006 Kickoff Luncheon. The event is scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m.
The MSU field hockey program has announced a new addition to its coaching staff. Ashley Egland has been hired as an assistant coach and she will be working primarily with the goal-keeping unit. Before being hired by MSU, Egland was an assistant coach at St.
MSU baseball head coach David Grewe is not a gardener, but with the way he has been cultivating the Spartan team since taking over last year, the coach could think about a second profession. At age 30, the young head coach is actively recruiting, stimulating and developing a baseball team that has not reached an NCAA regional tournament in the past 26 years.
Martin Jarmond has been promoted to assistant athletic director of development. He will continue to work with the $9 million Annual & Special Giving program in the Athletic Development Office and will now also be involved with strategic planning, customer service and diversity initiatives.
There must be something in the water. If anyone has an idea of what it is, it's Matt Wisniewski.
Placekicker John Goss will not return to the MSU football roster this fall. Goss recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies in social science and human resources.
Senior MSU baller Rene Haynes was selected to play for the 2006 Big Ten Women's Basketball Foreign Tour Team.
With the ever-fluctuating nature of college athletics, it is nearly impossible to predict the future of a team or season.