ICE HOCKEY
Coach looks for 1st win
If he weren't teaching the game of hockey to a group of college kids, MSU head coach Rick Comley isn't sure what he'd be doing with his life.
SPORTS
WEB ONLY: Men's tennis starts season at Ohio State
The No. 44 MSU men's tennis team kicks off its Big Ten season Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, against No.
SPORTS
WEB ONLY: Women's tennis hosts 2 matches against Ohio St., Penn St.
The MSU women's tennis team will host two matches this weekend as it faces Ohio State and Penn State. The Spartans (5-7 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) lost to No.
ICE HOCKEY
Must-win for 2nd-year coach
Coach Rick Comley, it is time to put on another pot of coffee, crack that playbook and review more game tape.
ICE HOCKEY
Slater places team success over his own
MSU junior captain Jim Slater says this season hasn't been a good year for him. It's not enough that he leads the MSU hockey team in points, with 48, and ranks as one of the top 10 in the nation. It's not enough the Lapeer native has registered 15 points in the past 11 games. And it just might not be enough that a 2004 All-CCHA First Team member was recently named one of 10 finalists for college hockey's most prestigious individual award - the Hobey Baker. Slater still isn't satisfied with what he's done. "I went through a drought from November to January," Slater said.
BASEBALL
Spartans beat Grand Valley 13-8 in home opener, improve record to 5-10
The MSU baseball team broke out its bats and showed the potential to be an exciting team in its home opener against Grand Valley State University at Kobs Field on Thursday. The Spartans (5-10) hit four home runs on their way to a 13-8 win over Grand Valley (12-7). "We've got a lot of big strong guys," head coach Ted Mahan said.
BASKETBALL
25th anniversary of championship today
A beaming smile graced Earvin "Magic" Johnson's face as the scissors in his hand snipped the final piece of the net in Salt Lake City. The Spartans were champions. It was 25 years ago today the Spartans were national champions for the first time, captivating the nation and changing college hoops in East Lansing. "The first thing in memory is that it did revolutionize college basketball," said Billy Packer, a current analyst for CBS and broadcaster for the '79 championship game.
SPORTS
Ex-Spartan shines in the pros
One of the biggest losses the MSU hockey team suffered following last season was the graduation of defenseman John-Michael Liles. A confident kid with a constant smile on his face, according to MSU head coach Rick Comley, the Zionsville, Ind., native plays for the Colorado Avalanche and is in contention for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year. Michel Goulet, Vice President of Player Personnel for Colorado, said Liles is day-to-day with a bruised knee injury he suffered Tuesday.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans underclassmen have rising draft stock
Freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen and sophomore forward David Booth were ranked 16th and 24th, respectively in the NHL's midterm Central Scouting Report, released Jan.
SOFTBALL
'U' to host Valpo in home opener
Returning home to Old College Field after more than a month of road games, the MSU softball team (15-10) begins its home schedule against Valparaiso (3-8) on Saturday. MSU looks to improve upon its 0-3 record when facing nationally ranked opponents this year with the start of their home schedule and Big Ten Conference games. Head coach Jacquie Joseph conceded the team has dropped a couple of games they could have pulled out, but added that they are in a good position for this time of the year. "We are exactly where I thought we would be," she said.
SPORTS
Former 'U', Red Wings stars come to Lansing
The Grand Ledge Education Foundation will host a hockey matchup on Saturday between former Detroit Red Wings stars, local high school hockey players and local celebrities. Former Red Wings players will take the ice first, facing the combined high school varsity teams from Grand Ledge and Lansing Waverly.
ICE HOCKEY
Pep rally to kick off before Icers' game
Fans are encouraged to attend a pre-game rally for the MSU hockey team Saturday at 11 a.m. at The BOB, 20 Monroe Ave.
SPORTS
Former Spartan hurt in Blackhawks game
Former Spartans defenseman and Hobey Baker finalist John-Michael Liles, currently with the Colorado Avalanche, suffered a right knee injury in Tuesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. In the Avalanche's 2-2 tie with the Blackhawks, Liles got tangled with Scott Nichol in the third period and had to be helped off the ice.
FOOTBALL
Coach to take part in July safari to Africa
John L. Smith is excited, and not just because he's looking forward to the start of spring practice. The Spartans' head football coach will get the opportunity to ascend 19,341 feet to the top of Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. "To be on Mount Kilimanjaro, watching the sun come up while sitting on a glacier, it's a moment to take your breath away," he said.
ICE HOCKEY
Athletics director named Hobey Baker 'legend'
MSU athletics director and former Spartans ice hockey coach Ron Mason will be honored as the Hobey Baker Award Foundation's 2004 "Legend of Hockey" at the Frozen Four on April 10 in Boston. The award is given to the person who has committed a significant amount of time and energy in promoting college hockey.
FOOTBALL
Injury keeps QB spot open
As he rehabilitates his knee this spring, with hopes to be next season's starting quarterback, sophomore Drew Stanton said the memory of the Nebraska player who "cheap-shotted" him at the Alamo Bowl in December will serve as motivation. "I've never had such a pain in my leg before, and I remember the guy over top of me, laughing and talking trash," Stanton said during a spring football press conference Wednesday. "That's something that motivates me every day to go out there and make sure that I'm at the top of my game and showing everybody that that was a cheap shot and that I will be the starting quarterback around here." Stanton was a backup quarterback last season, but because of his athleticism, he was used mostly on special teams. Head coach John L.
SPORTS
Spartans teams to hit road for outdoor open
The MSU track and field teams are set to open the outdoor season this weekend with the men traveling to Palo Alto, Calif., and the women heading to Raleigh, North Carolina. The men's team finished ninth at the Big Ten Championships and will be led by NCAA Indoor All-Americans senior Steve Manz and junior Steve Sherer.
BASEBALL
Baseball team loses 6th straight game
The MSU baseball team (4-10) lost its sixth straight game Monday against Kansas State, 13-3.
SOFTBALL
Beech notches 2nd no-hitter of 2004
MSU softball shined in the Buckeye Invitational, posting wins against Oakland and Robert Morris on Saturday.
FOOTBALL
Spartans compete for employment in NFL's Pro Day
The NFL Draft is exactly one month away, but that didn't stop a handful of Spartans from smiling inside Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center on Tuesday afternoon. It was NFL Pro Day and Detroit Lions head coach Steve Mariucci and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman, along with numerous coordinators and scouts, were on hand to watch MSU players display their talents in hopes of being drafted. Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker, senior linebacker Mike Labinjo, senior defensive end Greg Taplin, senior guard Paul Harker, senior tackle Joe Tate and junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew were the bigger names that worked out on Tuesday.