SPORTS
Wide variety of organized teams offer opportunity for fun activity
Afraid the athletic skills you used to dominate the court in high school aren’t enough to take you to the next level?
SPORTS
Undergoing changes at the top
The 23-year professional relationship between former athletics director Clarence Underwood and MSU officially ended June 30 as his contract expired.Unlike his predecessors, Underwood, 68, left the department quietly - the same manner in which he achieved success.
SPORTS
Facilities provide outlet for all athletic interests
You’re far away from home, you know no one and you have to walk everywhere. You’ve traded in the convenience of your car for your two feet - ah yes, it’s here, your first week of college. Instead of sitting in the dorm room and playing video games, you could get out and meet some people and get some exercise at the same time. Eighty-six percent of students and faculty have used IM services at one time or another during the year, and with its wide-range of activities from swimming classes to wallyball, it’s not hard to see why these buildings are such a popular hang out. “I usually went to (IM-Sports) West to play basketball and work out in the weight room,” said Al Harris, a former MSU student and current hospitality management junior at Morgan State University in Maryland.
SPORTS
Couple goes crazy over Nuts
Elsie - Doris Hyland only gave birth to two children, but 28 call her mom.Doris, her husband, Jim Hyland, and their dog, Huey, are as much a part of the Lansing Lugnuts as the 26 athletes on the team’s roster.The six-year season-ticket-holders make a 40-mile trip from their home in Elsie each game to provide the Lansing squad with a source of positive influence and an ever-optimistic fan base.The Hylands have assumed the role of surrogate parents to a group of men that are sometimes farther away from home than they’ve ever been.
FOOTBALL
It may be August, but Heisman predictions have begun in earnest
With the college football season upon us, one thing is certain - it’s never too early to start the Heisman Trophy watch.That simple law of gridiron madness is especially pertinent when your campus has one of the lucky few candidates roaming around.
SPORTS
Team looks to follow up winning season
One of our university’s lesser-known sports teams has become one of its most successful, as MSU won the 2001 Big Ten Championship in field hockey. “It was huge winning the Big Ten,” head coach Michele Madison said.
ICE HOCKEY
Long-time coach takes over as director
The waters have calmed, the ship has been righted and now there’s a new captain. MSU athletics director Ron Mason has taken the controls of MSU sports, and said he doesn’t expect a lot of change. Mason officially took over duties of the department July 1, after former athletics director Clarence Underwood ended his 23 years of work with MSU, with more than three years spent at the helm of MSU sports. Despite some tumultuous times, Mason and others credit Underwood with bringing unity and direction to the athletics department. “I’m not coming in here with any grand plan,” Mason said.
SPORTS
Lugnuts manager leads unpredictable life
Every time the Lansing Lugnuts players step on the field it’s like a job interview for the Major Leagues. Each player hopes something they do during the game catches the watchful eye of a scout, and helps them navigate throught the Chicago Cubs farm system. It’s like the longest interviewing process a person could imagine.
ICE HOCKEY
Goalie ready for ice action
If senior goaltender Ryan Miller leaves school early - and that’s still an “if” at this point - Spartan fans probably will be a little worried about MSU’s last line of defense.After all, Miller has been the epitome of excellence and durability in his three-year MSU career.
SPORTS
Get off your hiney, sign up for IM sports
Hola, estudiantes del compañero. Don’t mind that, I just felt the need to greet you all in Spanish. Anyway, another school year is upon us and, unfortunately, there is no way to squeeze a few more weeks out of the summer. The pain is here. Coming back to campus means being forced to adapt to and observe a lot of new stuff, including classes, classmates, professors and, in the dorms, new floormates. But as much as we all hate to be in school again, there are some things that make semesters worthwhile.
SPORTS
Spartans expected to be near leagues top
Chicago - Although record-breaking wide receivers instead of smash-mouth running backs are receiving most of the preseason hype, the media seem to think the conference will return to the “Big Two, Little Eight” days of the Big Ten.The league’s preseason poll, released at the 31st annual Big Ten Conference Kickoff Luncheon in July, tabbed Michigan and Ohio State to finish first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten football standings.
SPORTS
Spartans have high hopes
Chicago - As the Big Ten Football Kickoff Luncheon wrapped up, one thing was clear: The Spartans are a fixture on everyone’s radar screen. The media picked MSU to finish third in the conference and named junior wide receiver Charles Rogers the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
SPORTS
Senior has career dreams within sight
After fours years of working numerous jobs, attending classes and parenting, balancing life’s curveballs with career goals is something MSU advertising senior Rick VanHouse has found ways to do.
SPORTS
Foreign tours begin with 108-52 victory
The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Foreign Tour Team easily won its opening game against Germany’s Tus Treis-Karden on Saturday, 108-52. MSU sophomore guard Chris Hill scored 10 points and was one of six Big Ten players scoring in double digits.
FOOTBALL
Practice has Spartans excited about season
It’s unanimous. A little more than a week after the MSU football team was ranked No.
SPORTS
Lansing cuts down on errors, defeats Rattlers 3-1
Lansing - The Lugnuts managed to salvage a 2-2 split in the series against Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Timber Rattlers 3-1 at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E.
FOOTBALL
First practice kicks off season
The fall semester doesn’t begin until Aug. 26, but first-year players for the MSU football team already have plenty of homework.“That’s a pretty big playbook.
ICE HOCKEY
Gambling man, Miller refuses to reveal hand
If Hollywood ever makes a sequel to the gambling flick “Rounders,” I would vote for Ryan Miller to replace Matt Damon as the lead actor. First of all, having someone with Miller’s wiry stature succeed on the big screen would give hopes of stardom to all skinny kids - like me, Mike Chappell and Grover from “Sesame Street.” But I digress. On a more “serious” note, I’d endorse Miller for the role because he’s got a great poker face.
SPORTS
Lugnuts fail to sweep Bees, held to four hits in 5-0 loss
Lansing - The Lugnuts failed to sweep Burlington on Tuesday, falling to the Bees 5-0 at Oldsmobile Park.Lansing (28-18 second half, 65-50 overall) ended the home series with a 3-1 record against Burlington (21-23, 54-59).In the first, second, sixth, seventh and eighth innings the Lugnuts failed to reach base, managing only four hits for the game.Lugnuts manager Julio Garcia said his team struggled against Burlington right hander Chris Tierney.Tierney froze the Lansing bats and improved his record to 7-12 with the win.
BASKETBALL
Hill named to Wooden Award team
MSU sophomore guard Chris Hill was named to the Wooden Award Preseason All-American Team. As one of the 50 selections, Hill is a candidate for the John R.