SPORTS

Steroids are ruining sports; users should be ashamed

I'm blaming Barry Bonds for my inability to log onto ESPN.com and not be pissed off. His sixth National League MVP award notwithstanding - though I could devote an entire newspaper to why I think Bonds should never be mentioned in the same breath as Willie Mays - I'm furious for another reason. Acronyms. Specifically, two of them - "THG" and "BALCO." Until about a month ago, I thought THG was what gave the left-handed cigarette its punch and BALCO was the brave, cartoon sled dog voiced by Michael J.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers avenge Thursday's defeat to Wayne State with 7-2 thrashing

Paul Day

November 24, 2003

In his third season, MSU junior forward Mike Lalonde finally pulled the rabbit from his hat. Lalonde was awarded the game's No.

FOOTBALL

Blowout over Penn State ends surprising campaign

As the game clock wound down at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, MSU players added the final chapter to what has become a storybook season.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: 'U' loses 3-2 to Wayne State in OT hockey game

Paul Day

November 21, 2003

Once again, the CCHA was outplayed by the CHA.The No. 14 MSU hockey team (7-5-1 overall, 6-3-1 CCHA) lost to Findlay earlier this year, 4-3.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: Volleyball looks for 2 wins against Minnesota, Iowa

Megan Homanick

November 21, 2003

It's a big weekend for the MSU volleyball team - in more ways than one.The Spartans (18-8 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) not only play Minnesota and Iowa this weekend, but have parents' night and the honoring of former Spartan Erin Hartley on Friday and senior night on Saturday.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: Flagg pleads not guilty

Jon Styf

November 20, 2003

MSU junior bandit Robert Flagg pleaded not guilty to a charge of use of marijuana at his arraignment on Tuesday at 54-B District Court in East Lansing. Flagg was released on $100 bond and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Dec.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: Spartans receive oral commitment for next season

Patrick Walters

November 20, 2003

The Great North continues to be kind to the MSU football team.Tom Kaczmarek, a 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound defensive lineman from London, Ontario's Catholic Central High School, gave an oral commitment to the Spartans' football program last weekend.

ICE HOCKEY

WEB ONLY: Icers begin nonconference series against Wayne State

Paul Day

November 20, 2003

The No. 14 MSU hockey team is tired.That's not a knock, but an expectation from a roster full of student-athletes.

FOOTBALL

Strong-legged kicker eyes 'U'

Patrick Walters

November 19, 2003

Junior place-kicker Dave Rayner is enjoying a career season. His point total for kicks is top in the Big Ten, and his foot has put the Spartans' special teams on the national stage.Too soon to think about a replacement?

FOOTBALL

Pick up Bills running back Morris

Welcome to the home stretch. It's week 12 - time to make the final push to reach the playoffs.

SPORTS

Women's basketball alters Saturday's game times

Meghan Gilbert

November 18, 2003

The MSU women's basketball team announced that game times are pushed back for Saturday's Dean Trailways of Michigan Spartan Classic due to the home football game's noon start.The season opener against Davidson will start at 4:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Injuries drag down 'U'

Jon Styf

November 18, 2003

As MSU's season moves downhill with three consecutive losses, injuries continue to plague the team.One of the downfalls of the past week occurred on Thursday, when sophomore safety Eric Smith came down wrong, twisting his knee when defending a pass thrown to senior wide receiver Ziehl Kavanaght.On Saturday, head coach John L.

BASKETBALL

Point guard position poses questions for Izzo's squad

Brian Beute

November 18, 2003

It'll be the question of the season for the Spartans.Well, maybe second to "Can they win a national championship?"Will the point-guard-by-committee approach suffice for the men's basketball team's postseason powerhouse dreams?Juniors Alan Anderson and Chris Hill, senior Rashi Johnson and freshman Brandon Cotton are members of the quarterback committee."We really have three or four guys that can run the point," sophomore center Paul Davis said.

ICE HOCKEY

Vicari shines in net

Paul Day

November 18, 2003

One minute and 33 seconds. That's the time that separated MSU freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari from his second career shutout Saturday night in Oxford, Ohio.

SPORTS

Men's tennis concludes fall season

Meghan Gilbert

November 18, 2003

The MSU men's tennis team's fall season closed Monday at the Big Ten Singles Indoor Championships.

SOCCER

Men's soccer doesn't receive NCAA Tournament bid

The MSU men's soccer team did not receive a phone call from the NCAA championship committee Monday for an invite to the NCAA championship.The Spartans (11-5-2) lost to Penn State during the first round of the Big Ten tournament last Thursday, 2-1.Indiana defeated Penn State to win the Big Ten Tournament Sunday in Bloomington, Ind.

SPORTS

Field hockey players given postseason honors

Meghan Gilbert

November 18, 2003

MSU field hockey team members received individual postseason honors Monday after the team won two championships in 2003.

SPORTS

Swimming and Diving teams beat Ball State

Meghan Gilbert

November 17, 2003

The men's and women's swimming and diving teams return victorious from Muncie, Ind., where they faced Ball State on Sunday.

SPORTS

Grapplers lose to No. 1 Oklahoma State 29-12

Meghan Gilbert

November 17, 2003

Three MSU wrestlers earned wins during the Spartans' 29-12 loss to No. 1 Oklahoma State at Jenison Field House on Sunday. Nate Mesyn garnered the Spartans' first victory in the 184-pound weight class.

SPORTS

Women's cross finishes 3rd; men finish 11th

Meghan Gilbert

November 17, 2003

At the NCAA Great Lakes Regionals hosted by Indiana State on Saturday, the MSU women's cross country team finished third out of 30 teams, and the men finished 11th out of 32. Senior Michelle Carson finished second overall in the women's 6K race at 20:26.