SPORTS
Big Ten Media Days unofficially kick off 2011 season
As Big Ten Media Days, which air on Big Ten Network and ESPNU, unfold, here are a few likely storylines to follow today and Friday.
FOOTBALL
Four undrafted former Spartans move quickly post lockout
Receiver Mark Dell, linebacker Eric Gordon and offensive lineman D.J. Young all announced via Twitter Monday night that they had reached agreements with NFL teams. Dell, who caught 51 passes and six touchdowns last season, agreed to sign with the Denver Broncos, Young with the Arizona Cardinals and Gordon with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
SPORTS
Spartans top Wolverines in rivalry golf match
As a friendly competition between in-state rivals, MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis and Michigan Athletics Director Dave Brandon teed off against one another in the B1G AD Golf Challenge Monday at Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 Chandler Road, in Bath, Mich.
SPORTS
Hollis set to take on role as amateurism cabinet chairperson
Representing MSU and the high standards of ethical conduct, Athletics Director Mark Hollis was recently elected Chairperson of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet.
BASEBALL
Pair of Spartans named to Cape Cod League All-Star team
Senior pitcher Tony Bucciferro and junior second baseman Ryan Jones have been selected to play in the 49th annual Cape Cod League All-Star Game on July 29 at Fenway Park in Boston.
SPORTS
Stacey earns silver at Junior Pan Ams
MSU track and field sophomore Ashley Stacey competed at the 2011 Pan American Junior Championships Saturday, earning the silver medal in the women’s long jump. She posted a 6.13-meter jump and finished as the top American.
SPORTS
Former MSU rower wins gold with Canada
Recent MSU graduate Laura Cowal competed for Canada in the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam Sunday, bringing home gold in the women’s eight boat.
BASEBALL
Former Spartan pitches well, records loss in return to Lansing
Former MSU pitcher A.J. Achter returned to Lansing Saturday night when he pitched for the Beloit Snappers against the Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Law School Stadium. Achter took the loss as the Lugnuts defeated Beloit, 3-1.
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.
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.