FOOTBALL
MSU part of Nike Pro Combat line
When MSU prepares to go to battle for its fourth-consecutive win against Michigan in October, the Spartans will do so in Nike Pro Combat style.
FOOTBALL
Football lands Vanderbilt transfer
According to Scout.com, Vanderbilt defensive end James Kittredge is expected to transfer to MSU, where he is expected to play defensive tackle when he’s eligible in 2012.
FOOTBALL
Former Spartan hosts camp intended to teach football, life lessons
Having seen many of his friends put education on the back burner to pursue professional football, former MSU linebacker and current director of player development for the Miami Dolphins Kaleb Thornhill wants to help a younger generation keep from making the same mistake. With the help of various sponsors, Thornhill is hosting a week of football and life skills in a branch of the 4th and 1 Football Camp — a free football camp for at-risk high school athletes — on MSU’s campus and at Lansing Catholic Central High School, in Lansing.
ICE HOCKEY
17-year veteran Chris Osgood announces retirement
After 17 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues, goaltender Chris Osgood has decided to end his illustrious playing career with the team that selected him with the 54th pick in the 1991 draft.
BASKETBALL
Former Spartan alleged of fraud
Former MSU and NBA basketball player Jay Vincent’s bond is scheduled to be reviewed July 28 after a motion was filed by the U.S.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Face time with Brandon Wood
Brandon Wood has never played in an NCAA Tournament game. After transferring from Valparaiso University to MSU in May, Wood joins a program that has been to 14-straight NCAA Tournaments, including six Final Four berths and a national championship in 2000.
SPORTS
Former rower to represent Canada in U23 World Championships
Laura Cowal returns to the World Rowing Under 23 Championships — which starts on July 20 at Bosbaan in Amsterdam — after capturing a bronze medal for her native Canada in the 2010 Championships.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's basketball slated to play Texas
As a rematch from last season, the MSU women’s basketball team will play Texas on Dec. 10 in Austin, Texas, for the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge, the conferences announced Thursday.
SPORTS
68 MSU athletes earn academic award
Tied for most in the conference, MSU had 68 student-athletes presented with the 2010-11 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, the conference announced Thursday. Along with Minnesota, the Spartans sit at the top of the conference, which recognized 534 total athletes.
FOOTBALL
Report: Spartans receive verbal from Florida recruit
According to scout.com, MSU has landed a verbal commitment from three-star recruit MacGarrett Kings Jr.
FOOTBALL
New turf arriving at Spartan Stadium
The first of the fleet of trucks carrying the sod from Graff’s Turf Farms in Colorado arrived at Spartan Stadium on Tuesday morning and crews of turf experts were hard at work to make sure it is in game shape before MSU opens its season Sept. 2 against Youngstown State.
SPORTS
Neff, Powers named NGCA All-American Scholars
Former MSU golfer Aimee Neff and junior Caroline Powers were named to the 2011 National Golf Coaches Association, or NGCA, All-American Scholar Division I Team, the athletics department announced Tuesday. Neff is the first Spartan in program history to earn NGCA scholar honors four times during her career.
BASEBALL
Recruit, draft selection could face decision
Jimmy Pickens verbally committed to play for MSU before his senior year of high school, and this summer, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 41st round of the MLB draft, leaving him with a choice between the Spartans or the Tigers.
FOOTBALL
Devoted Spartan remembered by friends, family
To those who knew him, no one was as devoted to MSU as William Faunce. Simply called Bill by his friends and family, the former MSU sociology professor and chairperson had a connection with the school from a young age, something he carried with him until his death from liver cancer July 3 at the age of 83.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Appling, U19 USA team finish 5th at FIBA Championship
MSU men’s basketball sophomore guard Keith Appling and the USA U19 World Champion -ship Team took down Australia, 78-77, for fifth place Sunday in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Riga, Latvia. The defending championship U.S. team lost its chance for the gold medal with its 79-74 loss to Russia Friday.
BASEBALL
Boike makes debut with Lugnuts
Through his first week with the Lansing Lugnuts, former Spartan Eli Boike has put up a .250 batting average in three games, hitting 3-for-12 from the plate. The former Spartan has added two RBIs and walked once while going without an error in the field.
BASEBALL
Former Spartan baseball player returns to familiar city, venue
After spending four years in East Lansing before graduating from MSU in 2010, Eli Boike has returned to the familiar place that was home to him during his college years.
FOOTBALL
Spartans named to award watch lists
Several MSU football players have been tabbed for success in the upcoming 2011 season.
SPORTS
Lubahn returning to MSU as men's golf head coach
Former MSU letterwinner and assistant coach Casey Lubahn has been named head men’s golf coach. Lubahn becomes the program’s 10th head coach after former coach Sam Puryear resigned from his position to care for an ailing family member in late June.
BASEBALL
Former Spartan now with Lansing Lugnuts
Former MSU outfielder Eli Boike will join the Lansing Lugnuts roster after being promoted from the Vancouver Canadians, the Lugnuts and the Toronto Blue Jays announced Sunday.