NCHC UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE - NCHCHockey.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo ( August 1, 2013)  - The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), along with the conference’s web hosting provider, Sport Ngin, is proud to announce the unveiling of the NCHC’s official website.  The NCHC staff and Sport Ngin team constructed a micro-site in March 2013 to give fans a glimpse of the “look and feel”  they can expect when the official site launches, Thursday, Aug. 1, at 10 am CT. 

"This is an exciting time for the Conference as we unveil the official NCHC website,” said NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton. “Our partner, Sport Ngin, has developed a product that will allow us to share the NCHC news; engage our passionate fans through unique content and features; and showcase our corporate partners."

"The NCHC represents many of the most exciting and storied teams in the history of college hockey,” said Justin Kaufenberg, CEO and co-founder of Sport Ngin. “We're honored to have been entrusted with putting together a website the NCHC, member teams, players and fans will be proud of. Our shared goal is to create an incredibly interactive website that will connect the NCHC with fans and media like no other conference. We're really proud of the new nchchockey.com"

The NCHC  website will focus on engaging fans through unique and creative content. The functionality of the site will allow a person browsing to have a superior user-experience. Some of the prominent features of the site include social media integration, dynamic schedule views, and fully integrated institutional pages. The overall site design was modeled to provide the user with a feel of being within a hockey rink during the browsing experience.

The site’s ongoing development will continue as the conference prepares to begin its inaugural season. One key component that fans can expect in the coming months is a mobile app that will be supported on smart phones and tablets. The app will allow the user to stay engaged with the conference on a handheld device.

"Fan engagement through technology is a priority for the Conference,” stated Fenton. “We will focus our time and attention on the continued evolution of the site and mobile applications to meet the needs of our constituents."

In addition to the mobile app, fans can look forward to the launch of the NCHC Shop.  Once launched, the shop will feature NCHC and member institution merchandise and apparel.  The Conference anticipates the launch of both the NCHC Mobile App and the NCHC Shop prior to the start of the season.

The NCHC, which includes member institutions Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State, and Western Michigan, begins its inaugural season on October 18, 2013, with a double-header featuring North Dakota at Miami and Colorado College hosting Minnesota Duluth. Games times to be announced in the future.

NDSU Cross Country Announces 2013 Schedule

 

 

The North Dakota State women’s and men’s cross country teams have released their schedules for the upcoming 2013 season. NDSU will host one home meet and travel to three regular season competitions before taking part in the Summit League Championships and the NCAA Midwest Regional in the month of November.

 

The Bison will host their season-opening meet at Rose Creek Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 30 before taking nearly a one-month break from competition. NDSU will return to action on Sept. 28 at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif.

 

The Bison are scheduled to run at the SDSU Classic in Brookings, S.D., on Oct. 4 and the UND Ron Pynn Invitational in Grand Forks, N.D., on Oct. 19.

 

Fort Wayne will host the 2013 Summit League Cross Country Championships on Nov. 2, and the NCAA Midwest Regional will be hosted by Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, on Nov. 15.

 

The NDSU women won the 2011 and 2012 Summit League cross country titles and return their top five finishers from last year’s NCAA Midwest Regional where they placed seventh for the best team finish in school history. The Bison also return four of the league’s top eight finishers from the 2012 conference meet in Brecca Wahlund, Heidi Peterson, Maddie McClellan and Abbi Aspengren.

 

The Bison men return their entire squad from last season and are just one season removed from a runner-up finish at the 2011 Summit League Championships.

 

Date      Meet                                                                     Location                               Time

8/30       Bison Open                                                         Fargo, N.D.                           6 p.m.

9/28       Stanford Invitational                                       Palo Alto, Calif.                      11 a.m.

10/4       SDSU Classic                                                   Brookings, S.D.                      6 p.m.

10/19     UND Ron Pynn Invitational                          Grand Forks, N.D.                    TBA

11/2       Summit League Championships                    Fort Wayne, Ind.                      TBA

11/15     NCAA Midwest Regional                                  Ames, Iowa                          TBA

Gophers Announce 2013 Non-Conference Basketball Schedule

The University of Minnesota men's basketball program announced its 2013 non-conference schedule today. The schedule includes 13 games, nine of which will be played at Williams Arena. The entire 2013-14 schedule with game times and television rights will be released by the Big Ten Conference at a later date.

The Golden Gophers open the regular season with four of their first five games at Williams Arena, including the season-opening tilt against Lehigh University on Fri., Nov. 8. Minnesota will leave the friendly confines of “The Barn” for four games during the non-conference season, beginning with a trip to Richmond, Va. to finish the home-and-home series. The Gophers defeated Richmond 72-57 last season in Minneapolis.

Minnesota will play three games in Maui at the Lahaina Civic Center as part of the 2013 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Nov. 25-27. The Gophers open play on Nov. 25 against Syracuse University on ESPN2 and will play either the University of Arkansas or the University of California in the second round. The remaining field includes Baylor, Dayton, Gonzaga and Chaminade.

The entire EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will be televised live on the ESPN family of networks. Games will also be broadcast live on the WatchESPN mobile app and WatchESPN.com.

The Maroon and Gold's season officially begins on Fri., Nov. 1, in an exhibition matchup with the Wolves from Cardinal Stritch University, the reigning NAIA Division II National Champions. Minnesota's other exhibition game will be Mon., Nov. 4 against Concordia-St. Paul.

Minnesota returns its top two scorers from a team that finished the 2012-13 season 21-13 overall, including a win over UCLA in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Gophers’ Non-Conference Opponents:

Lehigh (Friday, Nov. 8 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Dr. Brett Reed (7^th season)…first appearance  against Gophers…finished 21-10 last season…made the postseason three of the last four years…posted three-straight 20-win seasons…lost to Wyoming in the CBI Tournament. Top returning scorer: Mackey McKnight (Sr. Guard – 11.9 ppg last season).

Montana (Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Wayne Tinkle (8^th season)…Gophers lead series 3-1…finished 25-7 last season…reigning Big Sky Conference champions…back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances…lost to Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament second round. Top returning scorer: Kareem Jamar (Sr. Guard/Forward – 14.2 ppg last season).

Richmond (Saturday, Nov. 16 – Robins Center) - Coached by Chris Mooney (9^th season)…series tied 1-1…Gophers won 72-57 last season…finished 19-15 last season…made the postseason five of the last six years…lost to Wright State in CBI Tournament. Top returning scorer: Cedrick Lindsay (Sr. Guard – 12.0 ppg last season).

Coastal Carolina (Tuesday, Nov. 19 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Cliff Ellis (7^th season)…Gophers lead series 1-0…finished 14-15 last season. Top returning scorer: Warren Gillis (Jr. Guard – 10.5 ppg last season).

Wofford (Thursday, Nov. 21 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Mike Young (12^th season)…Gophers lead series 2-0…finished 13-19 last season. Top returning scorer: Spencer Collins (So. Guard – 12.4 ppg last season).

Syracuse (Monday, Nov. 25 – Lahaina Civic Center) - Coached by Jim Boeheim (37^th season)…Gophers lead series 1-0…defeated Orange in the 1990 Sweet 16…finished 30-10 last season…lost to Michigan in the Final Four… Top returning scorer: C.J. Fair (Sr. Forward – 14.5 ppg last season).

Florida State (Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Williams Arena – B1G/ACC Challenge) - Coached by Leonard Hamilton (12^th season)…series tied 4-4…Gophers won 77-68 last season…finished 18-16 last season…made eight-straight postseason appearances… Top returning scorer: Okaro White (Sr. Forward – 12.4 ppg last season).

New Orleans (Saturday, Dec. 7 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Mark Slessinger (3^rd season)…first appearance against Gophers…finished 8-18 last season…first season as member of the Southland Conference. Top returning scorer: Cory Dixon (Sr. Forward – 8.7 ppg last season).

South Dakota State (Tuesday, Dec. 10 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Scott Nagy (19^th season)…Gophers lead series 16-0…Gophers won 88-64 last season…back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances…reigning Summit League champions…lost to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament second round. Top returning scorer: Jordan Dykstra (Sr. Forward – 12.5 ppg last season).

Nebraska Omaha (Friday, Dec. 20 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Derrin Hansen (9^th season)…first appearance against Gophers…finished 11-20 last season…third season as a member of Division I…second season as a member of the Summit League. Top returning scorer: Justin Simmons (Sr. Guard – 16.7 ppg last season).

Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Saturday, Dec. 28 – Williams Arena) - Coached by Willis Wilson (3^rd season…first appearance against Gophers…finished 6-23 last season. Top returning scorer: Will Nelson (Sr. Forward – 13.6 ppg last season).

Summit League Announces 2013-14 Championships Schedule

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Summit League announced dates and hosts for all 19 of its sport championships in 2013-14 after approval at the league's President's Council meeting.

Headlining the schedule is The Summit League Basketball Championships, which will be held in Sioux Falls, S.D., for a record sixth consecutive year. The Sioux Falls Sports Authority will host the 2014 championships for the final year at the Sioux Falls Arena before moving into the new Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in 2015.

Five of the first six championship sites will be in the state of Indiana with Fort Wayne hosting five championships (men’s and women’s cross country, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s indoor track & field) and IUPUI hosting three championships (volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming & diving).

North Dakota State will host championships on consecutive weekends this spring in softball and outdoor track & field. It will be the third time in the last five seasons the Bison have hosted the softball championship.

Western Illinois welcomes the men’s soccer championship to Macomb for the second-straight year, while South Dakota State will host the baseball championship for the second time in school history.

In all, a total of five different Summit League institutions will host a championship event during the 2013-14 season.

2013-14 Summit League Championships Calendar

Sport	Date(s)	Site / Host	Qualifying Teams
Cross Country (M/W)	Nov. 2, 2013	Fort Wayne, Ind. / Fort Wayne	All teams
Women's Soccer	Nov. 8/10, 2013	Fort Wayne, Ind. / Fort Wayne	Top four
Men's Soccer	Nov. 15/17, 2013	Macomb, Ill./Western Illinois	Top four
Volleyball	Nov. 22-24, 2013	Indianapolis, Ind. / IUPUI	Top six
Swimming & Diving (M/W)	Feb. 19-22, 2014	Indianapolis, Ind. / IUPUI	All teams
Indoor Track & Field (M/W)	Feb. 28-March 1, 2014	Fort Wayne, Ind. / Fort Wayne	All teams
Basketball (M/W)	March 8-11, 2014	Sioux Falls, S.D. / Sioux Falls Sports Authority	Top seven
Golf (M/W)	April 21-23, 2014	Keller, Texas / Summit League	All teams
Tennis (M/W)	April 25-27, 2014	TBD	All teams
Softball	May 7-10, 2014	Fargo, N.D. / North Dakota State	Top six
Outdoor Track & Field (M/W)	May 15-17, 2014	Fargo, N.D. / North Dakota State	All teams
Baseball	May 22-24, 2014	Brookings, S.D. / South Dakota State	Top four

 

ABOUT THE SUMMIT LEAGUE
In its fourth decade of Division I athletics, The Summit League offers 19 championship sports and has a combined enrollment of over 120,000 at eight institutions, including three located in top 60 U.S. metro populations and two land-grant universities. Member institutions include: Denver (University of Denver), Fort Wayne (Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne), IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), North Dakota State University, Omaha (University of Nebraska Omaha), the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Western Illinois University. Previously known as the Mid-Continent Conference, The Summit League rebranded in 2007 and has since produced eight NCAA Champions, 62 All-Americans and 50 Academic All-America selections.

Have a hunting or fishing license? Get a special rate on Twins tickets

Kids and adults who have a 2013 Minnesota hunting or fishing license can buy discounted tickets online for three Minnesota Twins baseball games and receive a free regulation blaze orange Twins logo baseball cap as part of a special promotion with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“Hunting, fishing and the Twins are all big parts of Minnesota’s culture,” said Jenifer Wical, DNR customer enhancement manager. “This is a great deal for those who love the outdoors and outdoors baseball.”

This promotion includes home games Aug. 3 against the Houston Astros, Aug. 18 against the Chicago White Sox and Sept. 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Those who want to purchase discount tickets should go to www.mndnr.gov/twins and enter their transaction number, which is printed on the license. A limited number of tickets are available for each game and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Minnesota 2013 fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased on a mobile device or online at www.mndnr.gov/BuyALicense.

Phil McMullen, Twins ticket sales executive, said this new partnership with the DNR made sense. “The DNR is able to provide an additional value to its first-time or long-time license buyers. And for us, it’s a way to express our appreciation for those who have contributed to fish and wildlife conservation through their license purchase.”

NDSU's Amy Anderson Named Summit League Candidate for NCAA's Woman of the Year

Former North Dakota State standout golfer Amy Anderson has been chosen as The Summit League’s representative in the NCAA Woman of the Year selection process, the NCAA announced Thursday, July 25.

 

The NCAA established the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 23rd year, the award is unique because it recognizes not only the athletics achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service and leadership.

 

Each NCAA member institution is allowed to nominate one Woman of the Year candidate. That field of 400-plus nominees is trimmed to one representative from each conference.

 

In August, the Woman of the Year selection committee will select the top 10 honorees in each division from the current pool of conference representatives. In September, the selection committee will announce the top nine finalists (three from each division), and the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics will vote from amongst those finalists to determine the 2013 Woman of the Year.

 

On Oct. 20 in Indianapolis, the NCAA will announce the 2013 Woman of the Year and will honor the top 30 nominees.

 

Anderson was a four-time Summit League Golfer of the Year and a two-time Capital One Academic All-America first-team selection.

MC4QL 5K/10K Run Walk

Mahnomen County for Quality of Life Project (MC4QL) is hosting a 5K/10K Run & Walk Saturday, August 24^th in conjunction with Wild Rice Day.

Get signed up for the MC4QL 5K/10K Run & Walk set for Saturday, August 24^th at 9:00am!

The cost is only $5 for the 5K – $10 for the 10K through August 18^th when cost will increase.

The entry fee includes:  a T-shirt for the first 100 signed up, snacks after the race, water during and after the race plus a chance at door prizes from local business sponsors.

All proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Run will start and finish at the Mahnomen County Fairgrounds. Race day registration will be available from 7am to 8:30am, with the Run/Walk beginning at 9am.

An electronic timer will be available at the finish to see your time as you cross!

Prizes will be given for top three male and female finishers in both races

To get a registration form mailed or emailed to you, contact Kurt at 218-689-6880 or email him:  philco_13@hotmail.com

The easiest and best way to sign up is to log on to MC4QL.blogspot.com and register online. All of the details also available on the website

McIntyre Joins UMC Soccer as Assistant Coach

 

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s soccer program has announced the addition of Betsey McIntyre as assistant coach. She is the first assistant hired under UMC head coach Joe Alianiello who took over the reins of the Golden Eagle women’s soccer program in 2012.

“We are very excited about the addition of Betsey to our staff,” Alianiello said. “Her background as a college soccer player is a huge plus for us. The girls are all looking forward to the chance to work with Betsey and excited about what she can bring to the team with her extensive background at various levels of soccer.”

McIntyre, originally from East Grand Forks, Minn., was an accomplished midfielder during her time on the pitch at Mayville State University and College of St. Scholastica. The former Betsey Palmiscno was a 2005 All-Region III Independent selection as a sophomore at Mayville State after scoring four goals. She served as team captain as a sophomore for the Comets. The following year she transferred to College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn., where she would play her final two seasons of collegiate soccer. She helped lead the Saints to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular-season championship in 2006. McIntyre had three goals and one assist as a senior for the Saints in 2007, helping St. Scholastica capture both the regular-season and post-season championship in the UMAC. She also helped her squad advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament during the 2007 season.

“I am ecstatic about joining Coach Alianiello and the rest of the women on the team,” McIntyre said. “I look forward to getting started and helping to build UMC women’s soccer into a competitive force in the Division II circuit.”

McIntyre graduated from College of St. Scholastica in 2008 with her degree in elementary education. She has spent the last three years teaching third grade at Highland Elementary School in Crookston. McIntyre received the Outstanding Service to Pirate Youth (OSPY) award for outstanding second to fifth grade teacher from Crookston Public Schools following the 2012-13 academic year. She will continue to teach at Highland Elementary School while serving as UMC women’s soccer assistant coach.

In addition to her teaching duties, McIntyre has also remained active in the soccer community serving as vice president and spring recreation coordinator for the Crookston Youth Soccer Association (CYSA). In addition, she has assisted the girl’s soccer teams at Duluth East High School and Crookston High School, as well as serving as a student assistant coach for the College of St. Scholastica.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

NCAA Approves Transfer Waiver for Malik Smith

 

The University of Minnesota men’s basketball program announced today that the NCAA transfer waiver for Malik Smith has been approved. Smith will now be eligible immediately for the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Smith, a 6-2 guard, originally signed a tender to play for the Gophers on May 20, 2013.

“We are certainly excited that the NCAA has approved the waiver for Malik,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “He is a great addition to the roster given his skills and invaluable knowledge of how we run our program.”

Smith came to the University of Minnesota after playing his junior season for Coach Pitino at FIU. He started 31 of 32 games for the Golden Panthers and was named Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference after averaging 14.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. His 451 points scored last season are the eighth-most in the history of Florida International basketball.

Smith set an FIU record for three-point field goals made in a single season with 96 treys and ranked number one in the conference and 16th nationally with an average of 3.0 three-pointers made per game. He set the Sun Belt Conference Tournament record with 15 total three-pointers made, including an 8-for-10 game in the opening round against Arkansas-Little Rock.

Prior to his junior season at FIU, Smith played his sophomore season at Jacksonville College and his freshman season at South Plains College. He averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game at Jacksonville, earning all-region and all-conference honors. Smith played 27 games as a freshman and averaged 5.0 points per game.

A native of Boston, Mass., Smith led the State of Massachusetts in scoring as a senior while at Madison Park High School in Boston with an average of 26.6 points per game. He went on to play one season at Notre Dame Prep, where he averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

Former UMC Golden Eagle Krueger Returns as Equestrian Assistant Coach

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston and athletic director Stephanie Helgeson have announced the hiring of former UMC western equestrian team member Kayla Krueger as assistant women’s equestrian coach. Krueger was a member of the Golden Eagle equestrian team from 2009-12.

“I feel very confident that Kayla will be a wonderful asset to the UMC equestrian team,” said UMC head equestrian coach Brooke Leininger. “Kayla competed for three years for the UMC equestrian team and was team captain during her last season. She understands the student-athlete experience, as well as the vision and future of the team, and I am very excited to bring her on board.”

Krueger was an accomplished rider for the western team during her three years with the Golden Eagles. She advanced to the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Western Semifinals in Findlay, Ohio as a junior where she placed sixth in the Advanced Horsemanship division. Krueger helped the Golden Eagles take fifth place overall as a team at the IHSA Western Semifinals in 2011.

Krueger has worked with horses in different capacities. During the summer of 2011 she worked at Briggs Show Horses in Pilot Point, Texas. At UMC, Krueger worked as a stable hand for the UMC equine facility. She also worked as a horse riding instructor for five years at Camp Birchwood in Laporte, Minn. and worked as a stable hand at Rocky Meadow Farm for seven years in Guthrie, Minn. This past year she has been working as a trainer in Montana.

Krueger, originally from Walker, Minn., graduated in the spring of 2012 with a bachelor of science in equine science with an emphasis in agricultural business. Krueger will begin her position as assistant equestrian coach in August. She replaces Nicky Overgaard who will remain at the University of Minnesota Crookston as an instructor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.

NDSU Names Josh Vaughan Director of Men’s Basketball Operations

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State head men's basketball coach Saul Phillips announced the hiring of Josh Vaughan as director of operations for the Bison on Wednesday, July 17. Vaughan replaces Jared Swanson, who resigned to pursue another job opportunity.

Vaughan was an assistant coach at Minnesota State Moorhead the past two seasons under Chad Walthall. He was the director of operations for Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., for the 2010-11 season.

"Josh is a terrific addition to our staff," Phillips said. "He already had a leadership role with some of our players as a senior and is able to communicate well with players. He had terrific experience as the director of operations for an NCAA tournament team at Wofford."

Vaughan played four seasons at North Dakota State from 2006-10. The 6-foot-4 guard played in 33 games off the bench for the 2008-09 Bison team that won the Summit League championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament. He averaged a career-high 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a senior in 2009-10.

Vaughan graduated from NDSU with a bachelor's degree in sport and recreation studies in May 2010.

NDSU’s Jordan Aaberg Named to NABC Honors Court

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - North Dakota State junior Jordan Aaberg was named to the NABC Honors Court announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches on Wednesday, July 17.

Aaberg, a a 6-foot-9 forward from Rothsay, Minn., is a management information systems major. He played in 22 games off the bench for NDSU last season averaging 2.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game including a season-high 12 points at South Dakota.

This is the second straight year Aaberg has been named to the NABC Honors Court. Student-athletes must have junior or senior academic standing and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher at the end of the academic year.

Ada-Borup Booster Club 5th Annual Golf Tournament

The Ada-Borup Booster Club 5th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, August 16, 2013, at the Heart of the Valley Golf Course in Ada.

The event is a 4-person scramble, with a Shotgun Start at 1 p.m., Registration begins at noon.

Golf Entry Fee: $40.00 per golfer

Includes:

1. 18 holes of golf
2. Meal
3. Door prizes & awards
4. Chances to win hole and game prizes (Vegas Hole, Chipping Contest, Half the Pot and Others)
5. Opportunity to meet members of the Ada-Borup Coaching Staff and Administration

** REGISTER EARLY **

All Profits go directly to the Ada-Borup Booster Club!  

Contact Mike Kolness at 218-784-8590 or Jim Birkemeyer at 218-784-2844 with questions

UMC Golf Tourney raises $2,000

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston held their annual golf outing at the Heart of the Valley Golf Course in Ada, Minn. on Thurs., July 11. 55 golfers took place in the event which raised $2,000 for athletic scholarships at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Kappes Hauling won the first flight of the day with Range, Inc. taking home for second flight. 11 teams took part overall in the UMC Teambackers event.

"The University of Minnesota, Crookston Teambackers would like to thank the Heart of the Valley Golf Course, tournament sponsor Ralph's Food Pride, club house sponsors KRJB Radio, the Norman County Index, BSN Sports, Legend Seed Company, TR’s Patty Shack and Coldwell Banker First Realty-Dan Ness as well as all team sponsors and golfers for making the University of Minnesota, Crookston Teambacker/Heart of the Valley Golf Tournament a great event,” says Director of Athletic Fundraising Bill Tyrrell. “The tournament was a tremendous success. 55 golfers participated and $2,000 was raised for student-athlete scholarships at the University of Minnesota Crookston. We truly appreciate the support from the community of Ada and surrounding areas.”

To become a Teambacker, contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436 or btyrrell@umn.edu.
 
The next Teambacker Golf Tournament will be Sat., July 20. The 23rd annual Teambackers Golf Classic is held at Minakwa Golf Club in Crookston, Minn. and will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

NDSU's Williams Earns Spot on CFPA Kickoff Returner Watch List

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- North Dakota State University All-American Marcus Williams has been named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Kickoff Returner Watch List announced Monday, July 8.

Williams is one of two NDSU players to previously earn CFPA annual honors following the season, picking up the 2011 CFPA FCS Defensive Back Award. He has also been named to the 2013 preseason CFPA Defensive Back Watch List.

Williams, a 5-foot-11, 197-pound senior from Minneapolis, Minn. (Hopkins H.S.), has started all 43 games played and became the program's all-time interception leader with 18 picks including two in the 2013 FCS Championship game against Sam Houston State. He averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return last season including a 98-yard TD at Illinois State, and he also returned an interception 98-yards for a TD vs. Youngstown State.

He finished with seven interceptions for the second straight season in 2012, and added 39 tackles including 23 solos and 11 pass breakups. A consensus first-team FCS All-American, Williams made his second apperance on The Sports Network, Associated Press and Walter Camp teams. He was the 2012 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

All CFPA recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.

Ten Bison players have earned spots on the 2013 CFPA Watch Lists, including quarterback Brock Jensen, running back Sam Ojuri, tight end Kevin Vaadeland, defensive ends Kyle Emanuel and Cole Jirik, linebackers Carlton Littlejohn and Grant Olson, placekicker Adam Keller and punter Ben LeCompte.

The full list of 2013 recipients, including the FCS Awards, will be announced Jan. 8, 2014.

North Dakota State opens the 2013 season on Aug. 30 at Kansas State, televised nationally on Fox Sports 1. NDSU won its second straight NCAA Division I FCS championship with a 39-13 win over Sam Houston State in January 2013 and also claimed the program's second Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Bison were 14-1 overall and 7-1 in MVFC.

2013 College Football Performance Awards FCS Kickoff Returner List

Kevin Chillis, Albany
Chris Nicholls, Cal Poly
Kirby Schoenthaler, Dartmouth
Michael Johnson, Delaware
Ryan Ho, Duquesne
Shaquille Hill, Eastern Washington
Jorrian Washington, Hampton
Rodney Tyson, Howard
Tanner Riley, Indiana State
Gabriel Chambers, Jacksonville State
Kevin Johnson, Lamar
Kevin Fogg, Liberty
Cyrus Strahm, Morehead State
Chris Flowers, Morgan State
Duane Brady, Murray State
Julian Stafford, MVSU
Greg Hardin, North Dakota
Marcus Williams, North Dakota State
Wes Smith, Northern Iowa
Ed Eagan, Northwestern State
Eric Fiore, Pennsylvania
Johnta Hebert, Prairie View A&M
Anthony Gaffney, Princeton
Justin Grant, Richmond
Fabian Truss, Samford
Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana
Josh Smith, Southern Utah
Dane Domonkos, St. Francis (PA)
Ladarius Vanlier, Tennessee Tech
Derrick Joseph, Towson
Jonathan Perkins, UC Davis
Kevin Barfield, UT-Martin
Otis Wright, Wagner
Cordero Dixon, Weber State

NDSU's Jensen Named to Walter Payton Award Watch List

North Dakota State senior quarterback Brock Jensen is among the 20 initial nominees named to the watch list for the 2013 Walter Payton Award, which will be presented by The Sports Network to the most outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision on December 16.

Jensen was named the NCAA Division I FCS Championship game MVP last season after directing the Bison to a 39-13 win over Sam Houston State for NDSU’s second straight national title. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second team last season and was also the College Sporting News NCAA Playoff MVP.

Jensen, a 6-foot-3, 226-pound senior from Waupaca, Wis., has compiled a 32-5 record as a starter for the Bison. He completed 207 of 338 passes last season for 2,331 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He rushed the ball 111 times for 357 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Past winners of the FCS’ most coveted award include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Brian Finneran, John Friesz and Armanti Edwards, the only two-time recipient.

Returning to the Watch List as 2012 finalists are quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois, Jamal Jackson of Appalachian State, Gavin McCarney of Colgate, DeNarius McGhee of Montana State and Wynrick Smothers of Central Arkansas; running backs Zach Bauman of Northern Arizona, Shakir Bell of Indiana State, Timothy Flanders of Sam Houston State, Terrance West of Towson and Zach Zenner of South Dakota State; and wide receiver Erik Lora of Eastern Illinois.

Delaware running back Andrew Pierce, a 2011 finalist and a nominee to start last season, returns to the Watch List as well. Also named are quarterbacks Jeff Mathews of Cornell and Jerick McKinnon of Georgia Southern; running backs David Johnson of Northern Iowa and Carlton Koonce of Fordham; and wide receivers Jordan Harris of Bryant, Sean Price of Appalachian State and Walter Powell of Murray State.

Bell, West and Flanders also were finalists in 2011. McGhee was a finalist in each of his first three seasons, starting in 2010.

The Watch List’s breakdown is eight running backs, seven quarterbacks and five wide receivers.

The highest returning vote-getters from the 2012 Payton race are Lora and McCarney, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Lora set an FCS single-season record with 136 receptions for the Ohio Valley Conference champions at Eastern Illinois. McCarney ranked ninth nationally in total offense for Patriot League champion Colgate.

There is no shortage of offense on the initial Watch List. It includes the 2012 FCS rushing leader (Zenner, 2,044 yards), receptions leader (Lora), scoring leader (McCarney, 23 touchdowns, 140 points) and the No. 2 finisher in passing yards per game (Mathews, 355.1).

The Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2013 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation.

Old Dominion, whose quarterback Taylor Heinicke captured the 2012 Payton Award, is not eligible for the top FCS honor this season as it transitions out of the FCS as an independent. Players from FBS-bound Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, both still Southern Conference members, are eligible.

 
The Sports Network also presents the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Buchanan Award honors the outstanding defensive player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. The winners of those three awards will be invited to the national awards banquet along with the top three vote-getters for the Payton Award.