SPORTS
Building up 'U' football
Waking up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to lift weights and then heading off to work for an 8 a.m.-to-5 p.m.
SPORTS
Icers must win now
If this isn't the year to follow MSU hockey, then I don't know when is. Much like the men's basketball team, this is a team I expect to "go places" in quest of claiming a conference crown and receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
SPORTS
Spartans look to duplicate '03
With a regular season Big Ten title, a Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance the MSU field hockey team has work to do to equal last year's success. But the Spartans said they think they can top it. "We lost a couple of workhorses, but the team agreed that everyone has to step it up a notch to cover what we lost," head coach Madison said.
SPORTS
Coach feels conference wide-open for 'U' championship
The MSU volleyball team has been mentioned as one of the top contenders in the Big Ten in the past few years but 2004 might be a little different. After losing four seniors including three-year starting setter Nikki Colson and middle Jenny Rood, the Spartans are falling into a role they are unfamiliar with - the underdog. "I think we're capable of a lot more than people expect of us," said senior outside hitter Kim Schram. "It's going to be hard to lose four strong athletes, but this spring, we developed a new chemistry - the kind of chemistry an underdog team needs to have to play well." With a new look and dynamic to the team, the Spartans are looking to rebound from failed expectations last season after finishing sixth in the conference.
SPORTS
'D' must carry team in early season
If there is one thing the MSU football team has confidence in this season, it's the defense. With questions surrounding the quarterback and running back positions and the offensive line, the Spartans are counting on the more experienced defense to lead the team early this season. "Having the most returners on our side of the ball, we know we're going to be counted on early," defensive coordinator Chris Smeland said.
SPORTS
Instant replay trial has Big Ten optimistic
Chicago - The Big Ten decision to establish instant replay takes effect this season, making it the first conference in college football history to have games played with replay available.
SPORTS
Guys don't like women who know more about sports
If there is one comment I hear more often than not it's this, "Kelly, you must be every guy's dream girl because you know so much about sports.
SPORTS
2 new coaches named for '04
One coach out and two new in. That's the story line this fall for the MSU men's and women's cross country teams. For the past 20 years Jim Stintzi has coached the Spartans men's cross country team, while he shored up the duties of being the woman's coach for the past four years.
SPORTS
John L. Smith
It's 5 a.m. and John L. Smith has just hopped out of bed. As usual, Smith has chores to do on his parents' farm in Iona, Idaho.
SPORTS
Izzo not interested in Raptors, plans to stay
Despite speculation that MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo would have met with Toronto Raptors general manager Rob Babcock about the team's head coaching vacancy, Izzo said June 14 that he is committed to MSU and is not interested in the job. Through a statement, Izzo said he knew a lot of candidates have been interviewed for the Toronto job but that he is not one of them. "I have a commitment to this program and that is to try to win another national championship," Izzo said. Questions surrounding Izzo's interest began when a source close to the Toronto search told ESPN.com and college basketball analyst Andy Katz that Izzo had talked to Babcock, the newly hired GM, and that the two will meet at a yet to be determined time. Katz said he didn't know of Izzo's interest in the job vacancy but he did know Izzo took the call from Babcock and the two talked. According to Jim LaBumbard, director of media relations for the Toronto Raptors, no candidates for the coaching vacancy have been announced. "Rob has not said anything on the coaching search and will likely not comment on the search until it is over," LaBumbard said. Babcock could not be reached for comment. Izzo is one of the candidates being considered for the position according to a report by the Toronto Star.
SPORTS
Spartans hungry for NCAA Tourney
The MSU women's soccer team fell just short of an NCAA Tournament bid last year, but the Spartans are hoping a strong nucleus of seniors will lift the team into the NCAA Tournament this season. "We have a great group of veterans," head coach Tom Saxton said.
SPORTS
Spartan juniors picked in 2004 MLB Draft
MSU right fielder Travis Gulick and catcher Erik Morris, both juniors, were selected in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft on June 8. Gulick decided to leave and is playing for the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League in Missoula, Mont. For Gulick, the two days of sitting in front of his computer listening to the draft online seemed endless until his name was finally called that afternoon. Gulick was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 23rd round, 686th overall. "It's been a long process," Gulick said.
SPORTS
Spartans have depth, uncertainties
The MSU football team has an offense filled with uncertainties this upcoming season. With the losses of key players, such as quarterback Jeff Smoker and three starting offensive linemen, the offense will have battles for many starting positions. Amid the uncertainty of the swirling quarterback controversy, senior Damon Dowdell, sophomore Drew Stanton and redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves all seem confident about their upcoming role for the Spartans this year. "(The quarterback uncertainty) isn't much of a strain," Dowdell said.
SPORTS
'U' to face tough schedule
Despite losing in round one of the Big Ten Tournament last season and graduating some key senior players, the MSU men's soccer team is planning to make a run at a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. "We had a very solid season last year - we were on the bubble for an NCAA bid," head coach Joe Baum said. Baum is hoping the Spartans won't miss a beat as the season gets underway Sept.
SPORTS
Lugnuts shut out by Yankees, 2-0
Lansing - With a chance to go 14 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history, the Lansing Lugnuts instead chose to swing for the fences in a 2-0 loss to the Battle Creek Yankees on Sunday afternoon. The Lugnuts (28-22) were 8-2 in their last 10 games, heading into Sunday's matinee, and despite good pitching from starter Carlos Marmol, the bats could not get going. "Carlos did a nice job from the time he was in," Lansing manager Julio Garcia said.
SPORTS
Davis on preseason Wooden Award list
MSU junior forward Paul Davis has been selected as one of the Top 50 Preseason Candidates for the 2004-05 John R.
SPORTS
McCallie enters New England Hall of Fame
MSU women's basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie was selected to be inducted to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. McCallie will be honored at a ceremony on Sept.
SPORTS
Building up 'U' football
Waking up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to lift weights and then heading off to work for an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BASEBALL
Dopirak breaking records, making a name for himself
As many record-breaking home runs that Lansing Lugnuts first baseman Brian Dopirak has hit this season, it's his first home run that will always stand out in his memory. That first home run at 12 years old was what made Brian Dopirak decide that a Major League Baseball career would be in his plans. "When we had to do little career things in school, I always put down baseball player," Dopirak said.
SPORTS
Pierce finishes 41st at Western Amateur
After making the 50-player cut at the 102nd Western Amateur Championship in Benton Harbor on Thursday, MSU sophomore Mitch Pierce did not advance Friday after shooting a 7-over 287 through 72 holes. Pierce came into Friday's tournament play in a four-way tie for fifth place, but finished the tournament tied for 41st. Pierce made the 50-player cut by shooting 1-under 69 and finished the first two rounds with a 3-under 137 strokes. Three Spartans missed Thursday's 50-player cut: sophomore Matt Harmon tied for 78th with a 147, senior Andrew Ruthkoski tied for 98th with a 149 and sophomore Zac Zedrick tied for 133rd with 155. This elite tournament, founded in 1899 at the Glen View Club in Golf, Ill., has had famous winners in the past at the Benton Harbor course, such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Hal Sutton.