Maurice Joseph, who would have been entering his junior season with the MSU men's basketball team, has announced his decision to transfer to the University of Vermont. The 6-foot-4 guard appeared in 31 games for the Spartans last season.
Former Spartan wrestler Nick Simmons, a four-time All-American, won two matches over the weekend at the U.S.
Lansing — The Lansing Lugnuts won in thrilling fashion Sunday afternoon over the South Bend Silver Hawks, 1-0. Lansing shortstop Raul Barron took advantage of a one out, bottom of the ninth, bases-loaded situation and lined the first pitch he saw to left field.
Sophomore catcher Kyle Day and junior left-hander Jon Kibler were selected in the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which concluded Friday.
MSU senior golfer Matt Harmon was named a third-team All-America, the first time since 2002 a Spartan has received the honor. Harmon finished his four years at MSU with the lowest career scoring average (73.51) in MSU history.
Sophomore Jonathon Allen recorded a 15.51 meter jump to take 11th place in the triple jump at the NCAA Championships on Saturday. His first jump was recorded at 15.49 meters, which tied for 12th and sent him to the second flight Saturday.
Summertime is here, and with MSU baseball, softball and all the athletes having recently wrapped up their seasons, MSU's 2006-07 sports campaign has come to an end.
While scouts rave over Lugnuts outfielder Travis Snider's potential stardom in the big leagues, Snider is content to write his own blossoming story in baseball archives using a bat, glove and the confines of Oldsmobile Park. Snider, a 19-year-old from Mill Creek, Wash., was the Toronto Blue Jays' 2006 first-round draft pick and 14th overall selection.
MSU senior guard Drew Neitzel has accepted an invitation to try out for the 2007 USA Basketball Pan American Games on July 12-14 at Haverford College (Pa.). Neitzel will compete against 29 other top collegiate players in the country for the chance to make the final 12-player roster. Of the 30 players partaking in the trials, 14 will be seniors in 2007-08, 11 will be juniors and five will be sophomores.
"Bittersweet." It's the one word that can describe the type of season his team had, said MSU men's golf head coach Mark Hankins. After qualifying for the NCAA Championships in Williamsburg, Va., the MSU golf team's season came to an end Friday afternoon after finishing in 23rd place at the 30-team tournament.
MSU baseball head coach David Grewe met with his team last week and commended the players for battling back toward the end of the season.
The NCAA Division I men's golf championship began on Wednesday in Williamston, Va., with MSU finnishing the first day with a score of 283 — tied for ninth place. The Spartans slipped to 15th place Thursday after posting a 287 on the second day.
MSU sophomore Raymar Morgan has been invited to a tryout for the 2007 Men's under-19 World Championship basketball team.
SM — It's a new era for the football team. New coaching staff, new players and now fans will receive their first taste of the team's new jerseys for the 2007 season. The new uniforms have an old school, traditional look to them.
Lansing — In his first season with the Lansing Lugnuts, Gary Cathcart has directed the team to a 25-21 record through Sunday's game and has earned the respect of his recently inherited team.
MSU women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant finalized her coaching staff by hiring Evelyn Thompson as an assistant coach. Thompson, an assistant at Buffalo for the past five seasons, will join assistant coaches Shane Clipfell and Mike Geary, director of basketball operations Julie Pagel, video coordinator Monique Govan and director of basketball operations intern Patrice McKinney.
Lansing — The Lansing Lugnuts split a two-game home stand with the Great Lakes Loons on Friday and Saturday. The Lugnuts continued their winning ways on the road Sunday in Midland with a 10-5 victory against Great Lakes. Lansing and Great Lakes traded quality hitting performances, with the Loons winning 13-6 Friday, and Lansing prevailing 10-3 on Saturday.
MSU sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg earned second-team Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America.
The MSU women's golf team finished 16th at the NCAA Championships with a total score of 1,232. The team finished the four-day tournament Friday, held at LPGA International Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Seniors Mandi McConnell, Rachel Meikle and Heather Rose came within the top 50 in the nation, the first time in school history MSU recorded three top-50 finishes at the NCAA Championships. McConnell led the Spartans with a 30th-place finish following a four-day total of 302, and finished the season with a 76.18 stroke average in 40 rounds, the ninth best in school history.
He's not the original "MJ," but he should certainly help matters for the MSU football team.