The No. 15 MSU volleyball team found its winning ways again, capturing the American Classic title over this past weekend in the nation's capital.Two wins on Saturday gave the Spartans a swing in recently lost momentum, as MSU lost two of three at a Nebraska tournament last weekend.
In her third year as a Spartan, junior outside hitter Michelle Kopka is finally settling in on the MSU volleyball team and in the United States. Still, she feels there is more work to be done. Kopka came to MSU via Scarborough, Ontario, and not only had to adjust to the new style of volleyball in the United States but also the new lifestyle. "When I came here initially, it was obviously a huge shock," Kopka said.
After winning its first tournament this season, the MSU women's golf team hopes to have success on its home course this weekend at the Mary Fossum Invitational. "It's a special tournament," head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said, acknowledging Mary Fossum's accomplishments as a 25-year head coach for the Spartans.
MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo can now cross three names off the list of possible recruits for the 2004 season. Grand Ledge junior Al Horford announced his verbal commitment to U-M on Thursday, ending days of speculation that the 6-foot-8, 211-pound forward would commit to the Wolverines.
No. 7 MSU field hockey continued its home domination with a 5-2 rout of Central Michigan on Thursday.The Spartans (5-1) currently enjoy a 13-game winning streak in East Lansing - one that dates back to Oct.
It's the stuff legends are made of. And like Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, the Mike Labinjo story continues to grow each time it's told.
When facing two of the country's top teams over the weekend, it's difficult not to look past smaller obstacles along the way. On Sunday, the No.
When the proposal to construct an addition to Spartan Stadium breezed through the MSU Athletics Department and Board of Trustees on Friday, the plan received full support from university officials.But some students aren't as enthusiastic.The addition to Spartan Stadium - scheduled to be completed in August 2005 - will bring 24 luxury boxes, 862 indoor and outdoor club-level seats and office space for University Development and the MSU Alumni Association.The entire plan is expected to cost $61 million, $50 million of that cost being paid by the Athletics Department.
The sun is out, burgers are grilling and the smell of Busch Light wafts through the air. The tennis courts and the rock on Farm Lane are swarming with students, parents and fans alike.
Detroit - The coaches' and media polls were presented at the 2003 CCHA Media Day on Tuesday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena with the MSU hockey team placing third and second, respectively. U-M was picked to finish top in the league in each poll.
With her older sister Tiffany in the distance practicing drills before soccer practice, Linsey Laskowski looks off to the side and smiles as she tries to describe their sisterly relationship.
The NFL's Week Two was one for the running backs, with the Ravens' Jamal Lewis breaking the single-game yardage record and others falling back into form. Miami running back Ricky Williams fell back into form, while Bills running back Travis Henry scored three touchdowns and averaged little more than 1 yard per carry. The importance of Week Three is that trends begin to form. For instance, anyone playing the Lions or Cardinals could break out.
The door at the trainers' office inside the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center has seen more action than many Spartans players have lately. Injuries were a factor in Saturday's 20-19 last-second loss to Louisiana Tech and also will play a major role this weekend as MSU heads to South Bend, Ind. Senior quarterback Jeff Smoker said his team needs to get healthy during the week and be ready for the long haul. "I sure hope (we're) not (tired) because it's a long season," Smoker said.
Even after a somewhat disappointing 1-2 record at the U.S. Bank/Arby's Classic, the No. 15 Spartans learned if they calm down, they step up.MSU head coach Chuck Erbe knew the weekend would be the most difficult one of the season.
The MSU offense came to a halt without its star quarterback on the sidelines in its 20-19 loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday.So, the Spartans are hoping that he'll be able to return for this Saturday's game at Notre Dame.X-rays were negative on senior quarterback Jeff Smoker's right big toe, meaning it is not broken, and he is listed as questionable for Saturday's game."Jeff is (the starter) right now," head coach John L.
The MSU secondary played well for 57 minutes, but the final three will tarnish its reputation for good.Sophomores Ashton Watson and Carlos Alexander could only hide their heads in shame as they watched a sure win slip out of their hands when D.J.
Like two war-torn generals meeting after a battle, Jeff Smoker hobbled over to Luke McCown to congratulate him after MSU was beat by Louisiana Tech on Saturday in the final minutes. Though he watched his team lose a 12-point lead in the final minutes from the sidelines, Smoker, on crutches, was still smiling as he and McCown met for the first time. The two senior quarterbacks shook hands and Smoker told McCown he led his team to a "heck of a comeback." The Spartans never trailed in the game until the final two seconds, after McCown completed an 11-yard pass to wide receiver D.J.
What was billed as a bout between the fastest fists in boxing left a sour taste in the mouths of most involved. The Golden Boy was overshadowed by a set of judges with an outside prerogative. Tearing a page out of the book of Vernon Forrest, Oscar De La Hoya fought the smart fight and was left stripped of his prize possessions - his WBA and WBC 154-pound title belts. Avoiding a recurrence of their first slugfest in 2000, De La Hoya used his lightning jab to make easy work of "not so sweet anymore" Shane Mosley. Despite a few flourishes of street brawling and a vision-impairing cut on his right eye, the result of an "accidental" head butt, De La Hoya waited out the fight, landing frequent quick jabs, which saw Mosley frustrated at every swing. De La Hoya used reach to his advantage, staying clear of Mosley's deadly uppercuts, and landed nearly twice as many punches as the new champion. But the official judges were not impressed, despite a more convincing performance than Forrest had in either of his victorious bouts with Mosley, and handed the belt over to the undeserving 32-year-old. Analyst George Foreman (yes, the grill guy) suggested it was a conspiracy against Top Rank boss Bob Arum, but that would be too crude, wouldn't it? If boxing really wants fans to relate to a sport that has moved from national TV broadcasts to overpriced pay-per-view Wrestlemania-like farces they wouldn't do things like this, right? They wouldn't allow the Golden face of their tainted sport to inexplicably get shafted twice, would they? But it happened, and the gracious loser will hold his ground.
The No. 8 MSU field hockey team kept its successful season rolling with a pair of victories in Kentucky over the weekend.On Saturday, a feisty Spartan offense demoralized Southwest Missouri State with an 8-1 victory.