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SPORTS

Mens tennis to open up its season at Ball State

The MSU men’s tennis team will open its 2002-03 season this weekend in Muncie, Ind., at the Ball State Invitational. This is the second-straight season the Spartans have opened at Ball State. The team will be led by eight returning letter winners from last season, including seniors Adam Hourani, Jimmy McGuire and Goran Topalo, juniors Mike Jonckheere, Chris Mitchell and Eric Simonton, and sophomores Andrew Formanczyk and Cameron Marshall. The Spartans will travel to Nashville, Oct.

COMMENTARY

Offense not problem, coach bad for team

In response to the article “Spartan offense not up to last season’s standards” (SN 9/26), the problem is not the talent MSU has recruited, but a poor coach and coaching staff. After many years as season-ticket-holders, my daughter and I, who travel north from southern Indiana and Nashville, Tenn., respectively, to attend Spartan home games, chose not to renew our tickets this year. Last season showed us enough of Bobby William’s lack of coaching ability. His lack of discipline begins to remind us of the last years under George Perles - we all know what a disaster that was. Why doesn’t MSU demand the same from its football team as it expects from both the basketball and hockey teams.? Kate Hubbell MSU alumna

SPORTS

Northwestern tailback rushes into spotlight

Eric Mckinney
September 27, 2002

When Big Ten football fans hear the name Jason Wright, fear is the last thing that comes to mind. In fact, most simply ask, “Who?” Considering the 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior tailback carried the ball just three times his first two seasons at Northwestern, that’s a reasonable question. But Wright, who is attempting to fill the shoes of the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher Damien Anderson, leads Northwestern (2-2) with 346 yards on 66 carries (5.2 yards per carry). “I’m not going to lie, it definitely feels good to be back at my natural position,” said the former first-team all-state tailback at Diamond Bar High, in Diamond Bar, Calif. That’s right, the reason many Big Ten fans haven’t heard of Wright is because he spent his first season and a half playing wide receiver for the Wildcats.

NEWS

Break-in suspected at Vet Med

Alison Barker
September 27, 2002

MSU police reported another break-in attempt at a chemical-laden facility on campus Thursday. This is the third incident in recent weeks occurring at a campus scientific center, furthering concerns about the safety of the structures.

SPORTS

Men tee off in annual tournament in Indiana

No. 11 MSU men’s golf team will compete in the annual Northern Intercollegiate this weekend at the Indiana University Golf Course in Bloomington, Ind. The Northern Intercollegiate is a fall preview for the 2003 Big Ten Championship, which Indiana will host May 2-4. MSU tied for third place in the Inverness Intercollegiate Invitational Sept.

SPORTS

Quality teams match up in conference start

Iowa (3-1) at No. 12 Penn State (3-0) The two most impressive teams in the Big Ten this year are arguably the Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions. Both teams had their ups and downs last year, but neither moved into the spotlight like both are doing now.

SPORTS

Rogers thrives despite stumbling team

Andrew Fifer
September 27, 2002

Although the MSU football team hasn’t measured up to preseason expectations, junior wide receiver Charles Rogers has stood tall. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has posted 29 receptions for 634 yards and six touchdowns in four games, which has propelled him into the national spotlight.

MICHIGAN

Holiday jobs not promising

Audrey Barney
September 27, 2002

Michigan retailers will limit holiday hiring this year, according to a study released this week. The Michigan Retail Index, a monthly report of Michigan’s retail activity, found 64 percent of retailers believe the holiday labor pool will be larger this year than it was last year.

SPORTS

Gods must be crazy if Spartans lose

PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATORS McSkinny’s betrayal of the Spartans pulled him within a game of Death Ro as last week proved to be hard times for your Pigskin Prognosticators. Death Ro (12-7) came out of the weekend with a 1-3 mark, as the Spartans cost him another loss, USC (2-1) tanked and the Gators (3-1) shocked the Volunteers (2-1) in Knoxville. McSkinny (11-8) didn’t fair much better at 2-2.