NDSU’s Carlson Named Summit League Co-Player of the Week

ELMHURST, Ill. - North Dakota State forward Eric Carlson was named Summit League men's basketball co-Player of the Week by the league office on Monday, Jan. 31.

Carlson, a 6-foot-6 junior from Shakopee, Minn., averaged 25.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in a pair of home wins as the Bison improved to 11-10 overall and 5-6 in the league. He scored 19 points in the 87-75 win over Southern Utah had career highs of 32 points and 12 rebounds in the 89-88 double-overtime win against UMKC.

Carlson had 17 points in the first half against UMKC to lead the Bison to a four-point halftime lead. He grabbed a season-high five offensive rebounds in the game, including a key putback with seven seconds left in the second OT that broke an 85-85 tie.

Carlson assisted Michael Tveidt's game-winning layup with 1.7 seconds left with a lob pass of a sideline inbounds play. He had three assists and two steals in the game.

Carlson is the first NDSU player to score 30 points in a single game since Ben Woodside scored a tournament-high 37 points against Kansas in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. He has scored in double figures three straight games after being limited to single digits in six of the previous seven contests.

He shared the award with IPFW guard Frank Gaines, who came off the bench to get 19 points and seven rebounds in a win over Centenary and followed with 19 points and four blocks in a win over Oral Roberts. Gaines shot 70.6 percent from the floor and was 11-for-11 from the foul line.

North Dakota State is scheduled to play four of its next six games on the road beginning at Centenary on Thursday, Feb. 3, and Oral Roberts on Saturday, Feb. 5.

Region 8A AAA winners

the 2011 "Triple A'" winners from the Sub-Sections in Region 8A have been announced.

Sub-section 29 Girl winner Autumn Brunelle Cass Lake Bena

Sub-section 29 Boy winner Brandon Beck Blackduck

Sub-section 30 Girl Suzanne Dufault Fosston

Sub-section 30 Boy Alexander LaVoy Mahnomen

Sub-section 31 Girl Lauren Graham Crookston

Sub-section 31 Boy Samuel Wagner Fisher

Sub-section 32 Girl Mikaela Janicke Greenbush/Middle River School

Sub-section 32 Boy Jeremy Benson Stephen Argyle Central

These students have excelled in Academics, Athletics and Fine Arts. They will attend a banquet at the REA in Thief River Falls on February 9th, 2011 where the overall Region 8A winner will be announced.

LAQUA ANNOUNCED AS DRAGONS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Former Fargo Shanley Head Coach Takes the Reigns of Dragon Football Program
MOORHEAD, Minn. –Steve Laqua was announced Friday afternoon as the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons Head Football Coach. Athletics Director, Doug Peters in a press conference in front of the media, public, student-athletes and alumni, made the announcement.

“I want Dragon football to be one of the premier Division II football programs in our region,” Laqua said. “I am elated to take the position and can’t wait to make that happen.”

Laqua becomes the 17th head coach in the 92-year history of the program. He comes to MSUM after serving as a four-year head coach at Fargo Shanley High School.

“I am excited to have Coach Laqua as part of our team,” Peters said. “He fits the mold of the other great coaches on our staff.”

This past year, Laqua led the Deacon’s to their second consecutive North Dakota State Championship, capping a 20-game win streak. Along with his coaching duties, he has played a role in fundraising for the High School.
“Coach Laqua’s core values align with MSUM, Dragon Athletics and the NCAA DII Philosophy of Life in the Balance,” Peters said. “At the end of the day Coach Laqua knows how to build winning football programs.”

Prior to his time at Shanley, Laqua was a college assistant coach for five seasons. He spent three years (two separate stints) at North Dakota State University as well as one season at each St. Olaf College and Minnesota Crookston.

While at UMC and NDSU, he was responsible for recruitment within the region that aided his relationships with coaches in the area.

“My connections over the past decade with the regional coaches are a huge asset in creating confidence in the new vision and direction of our program,” Laqua said.

Laqua will join the Dragons staff effective immediately. He will be making the following appearances within the area within the next two weeks:
Saturday, Jan. 29
7:30 p.m. – Meet the Fans event at Dragon Basketball; north end of fieldhouse
Wednesday, Feb. 2
7 p.m. – Join Head Basketball Coach Chad Walthall for ‘Wings with Walthall’
Tuesday, Feb. 8
9:30 a.m. – Join Head Basketball Coach Karla Nelson for ‘Coffee with Karla’

5th Annual Cops and Kids Hockey Game

On Sunday January 30th, at the Moorhead Sports Center, the Moorhead Police Department will proudly host the 5th annual Cops and Kids hockey game. The evening will consist of a 5:30 pm game against boys and girls from the Peewee, Bantam, U-14 and U-12 teams. The “Kids” team will be coached by Fargo Force GM/Head Coach Jason Herder and several Fargo Force players.

The purpose of the event is to promote positive interaction with community youth and local law enforcement. Admission is free courtesy of Moorhead Public Service. There will be a silent auction for autographed sports memorabilia and a raffle for prizes donated by area businesses. All money raised will be donated to the Moorhead Youth Hockey Association and the Moorhead Police Explorer Post.

Please feel free to contact Officer Scott Kostohryz at 218-790-4128 or scott.kostohryz@ci.moorhead.mn.us if you have any questions about this event

Golden Eagle Football Program to Hold Meet & Greet

(Crookston, Minn.)- University of Minnesota, Crookston Head Football Coach Chuck Moller announced today that Golden Eagle Football will hold a meet & greet at the Crookston Eagles Club on Wednesday, February 2. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

The meet & greet will be held in conjunction with the 2011 National Signing Day which is also on February 2. The coaches will answer questions, talk about the 2011 signing class and have a video presentation featuring the signees. Appetizers will be served and the event is open to all Golden Eagle fans.

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

North Dakota State Names Kari Thompson Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State University women's athletic director Lynn Dorn today announced the hiring of Kari Thompson as head women's volleyball coach.

Thompson has been the interim head coach since the Oct. 19 resignation of Erich Hinterstocker. She had a 9-2 record and led the Bison to their third straight Summit League championship and second NCAA tournament in three years. NDSU was 20-11 overall and 14-4 in the league.

"Kari's attributes of maturity and stability, and ethical and professional behavior, coupled with an orientation for a high level of achievement are behaviors we sought," Dorn said. "We look forward to Coach Thompson continuing the high expectations of the volleyball program at North Dakota State University and are confident under her leadership that those will be met."

This is the first head coaching job for Thompson, who was hired by NDSU as an assistant coach in 2006. She is the 11th head coach in the 46-year history of the program.

The 29-year-old Thompson was a 2010 recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association's "Thirty Under 30" award recognizing the top young coaches in the country. She will be the head coach of a USA Athletes International team that will compete in the European Smash Tour this June in Italy and Austria.

"I'm thrilled to continue to be a part of an institution with a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence and a strong commitment to the volleyball program," Thompson said. "This great volleyball community combined with a great volleyball facility provides an exciting environment to showcase these athletes."

Thompson was a three-year volleyball letterwinner at Green Bay and spent one year with the Phoenix as a volunteer assistant before working at Alabama for two seasons as a graduate assistant.

A native of Amherst, Wis., she began her collegiate career at Concordia-St. Paul and graduated from Green Bay with a bachelor's degree in communications and the arts in December 2003.

Golden Eagle Softball Team to Hold Chili Feed in Conjunction with Midcontinent Basketball Games

Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston’s Women’s Softball team will hold a chili feed on Friday, February 18 at the UMC Sports Center. The event will be held in conjunction with the women’s and men’s basketball games that will be aired on Midcontinent Cable against Upper Iowa. The chili feed will run from 4:30 until 8 p.m. with the women’s and men’s games beginning at 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased from any Golden Eagle Softball team member or coach. For more information contact Head Coach Mitch Bakken at 281-8414 or bakke044@umn.edu.

The Golden Eagles open the 2011 season on Saturday, February 26 when they travel to St. Cloud State for the Husky Dome Invitational. Minnesota, Crookston will play Southwest Minnesota State at 1 p.m. and Northern State at 3 p.m. UMC returns to the field on Sunday, February 27 to play host St. Cloud State at 3 p.m. and Valley City State at 5 p.m. The team will travel to the Cocoa Expo from March 11-17 for 10 games. The Golden Eagles open the NSIC season on April 2-3 when the team travels to Winona State and Upper Iowa. The double-headers are scheduled for 1 p.m. and noon respectively.

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

Kaster and George Honored as PTP Basketball Players of the Week

Shelby Kaster, a freshman center from Win-E-Mac High School and Tyler George, a junior guard from Bagley High School have been chosen as the Pine to Prairie Girls and Boys Basketball Players of the Week.

Shelby led the Patriots to two big wins last week. Against Ulen-Hitterdal, Kaster scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added 4 assists and 2 steals. Win-E-Mac then handed Waubun their first conference loss of the season on Friday. In this game, Shelby contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Tyler helped the Flyers stretch their winning streak to 12 games with a 3-0 record for the week. George scored 68 points in three games last week. He chipped in with 13 points against Norman County East, and then had game high totals of 26 points against Ada-Borup and 29 versus Warroad. Tyler also contributed 9 steals, 11 assists and went 12-13 from the foul line last week. This is Tyler’s second Player of the Week award. He shared the honor with Fosston’s Garrett Carlin in December.

Several other student-athletes had outstanding performance last week as well. On the girls side, Andi Knudsvig (Junior, Guard) from Lake Park-Audubon, Bailee Bartunek (Fr., Center) from Lake Park-Audubon and Katelin Sirjord (Jr., Guard) from Norman County East all had strong efforts for their teams. For the boys teams, Scott Lampton (Sr., Center) from Norman County East, Tate Moser (Jr., Guard) from Fertile-Beltrami, Jacob Pavek (So., Forward) from Mahnomen and Alex LaVoy (Sr. forward) from Mahnomen also had great efforts.

Bemidji State to drop men’s indoor and outdoor track and field programs

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Bemidji State University will discontinue its men’s indoor and outdoor track and field varsity intercollegiate athletic programs,effective at the end of the 2010-11 academic year.

The elimination of the programs came today as BSU President Dr. Richard Hanson unveiled the University’s plan to address an expected $5 million shortfall for the biennium (2011-2012 and 2012-13), which can directly attributed to the economic challenges the State of Minnesota is facing with its $6.25 billion budget deficit.

“Any time decisions like these have to be made, it is tough on our student-athletes and entire Athletic Department,” said BSU Director of Athletics Dr. Rick Goeb. “Especially when our student-athletes are such outstanding role models and representatives of our University. But in the light of the nation-wide financial crisis, the state’s budget deficit, the magnitude of the estimated reduction to University’s funding allocations, program cuts are unavoidable.”

“This is not an isolated case,” added Goeb. “Significant budget challenges are being felt campus-wide making dramatic changes necessary for the entire University and state-wide at other MnSCU institutions.”

In October of 2008, Goeb unveiled a proposal for reorganizing the Department of Athletics designed to meet a 2007 directive from then-BSU
President Dr. Jon Quistgaard to reduce the department’s budget by $750,000. That proposal included an option to discontinue men’s indoor
and outdoor track and field. However, in December of 2008, Quistgaard announced the programs would be allowed to continue for at least one more year on the condition that a set of established goals were met regarding roster management and fundraising.

Dr. Hanson’s new recalibration plan allows the department of athletics to reduce its scope and improve opportunities for women in athletics.

Current members of the BSU men’s track and field teams will have the opportunity to complete the 2010-11 indoor and outdoor competition
seasons. According to NCAA rules, student-athletes that choose to transfer to another institution to continue their athletic careers will be released by BSU and will be eligible to compete as early as next season, provided that they are accepted, have athletic eligibility remaining and are academically eligible to compete. Athletic scholarships will be honored for current and incoming student-athletes who choose to stay at BSU to fulfill their degree requirements.

With today’s announcement, Bemidji State University will sponsor 15 varsity intercollegiate sports. BSU will offer NCAA Division I men’s and
women’s ice hockey and 13 sports at the NCAA Division II level. BSU’s Division II sport offerings for men will include football, basketball, golf
and baseball, while its Division II women’s sports will be volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball, tennis and golf.

Bemidji State University, a member of the NSIC and Western Collegiate Hookey Association (WCHA), occupies a beautiful lakeside campus in northern Minnesota’s wooded lake district. Enrolling approximately 5,000 students annually, the University offers undergraduate majors and graduate programs encompassing the arts, sciences and select professional programs. The University is a member of the Minnesota State College and Universities System (MnSCU) and embraces the signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global/multicultural understanding.
The University’s complete recalibration plan is available at BSU Today at: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/bsutoday/

For more information about Bemidji State, visit our website at: http://www.bemidjistate.edu.

NSIC to expand to 16 Teams

Burnsville, Minn. – Acting Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Winona State University President Dr. Judith Ramaley has announced the outcome from the NSIC Board of Directors meeting dealing with possible expansion of the league.

The Board of Directors, consisting of the 14 NSIC Presidents & Chancellors, voted to expand the NSIC to 16 institutions with the addition of the University of Sioux Falls (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Minot State University (Minot, N.D.). These two institutions will begin participating within the NSIC in the 2012-13 academic season.

“The NSIC is pleased to welcome these two institutions into our league. We feel both of these programs are a good fit with strong academic traditions. The competitiveness of these athletic teams will enhance all 17 sports that we currently offer,” commented Ramaley.

“I am excited to add both schools to the NSIC. The balance both schools show between academics and athletics fits the basic foundation of our conference”, said NSIC Commissioner Butch Raymond. The NSIC will now consist of 16 teams over a five state area with nine institutions hailing from Minnesota, three in South Dakota, two in North Dakota and one in Iowa and Nebraska. The NSIC will form two divisions, in the sports where appropriate, when the league expands to 16 teams.

The NSIC South Division will consist of Augustana College, Concordia University-St. Paul, Minnesota State University Mankato, University of Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State University, Upper Iowa University, Wayne State College and Winona State University.

The NSIC North Division will consist of Bemidji State University, University of Mary, University of Minnesota Crookston, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minot State University, Northern State University and St. Cloud State University.
The Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) began in 1932 as the Northern Teacher’s Athletic Conference. Charter members included Bemidji State, Mankato State, Moorhead State, St. Cloud State and Winona State. In 1942 the conference name was changed to the State Teacher’s College Conference of Minnesota. The conference switched its name to the Northern Intercollegiate Conference in 1962. In the spring of 1992 the NSIC was formed out of the merger of the NIC, the men’s conference, and the women’s Northern Sun Conference (NSC). The NSC had existed since 1979. In the 1999-
00 academic year, the NSIC became an expanded 10-team league from a previous seven-member conference by adding Wayne State College (Wayne, Neb.) Concordia University-St. Paul (St. Paul, Minn.) and the University of Minnesota, Crookston (Crookston, Minn.). The conference featured eight members from 2004-05 until 2005-06 with the departure of Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota-Morris, but expanded back to 10 teams in 2006-07 as the University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.) and Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa) joined the league. The NSIC exploded into a 14-team league in the 2008- 09 year with the additions of Augustana College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University Mankato and St. Cloud State University.

The NSIC has won nine team NCAA Division II National Championships since the 2005-2006 season. Winona State Men’s Basketball won the 2005-06 & 2007-08 Championships; Concordia-St. Paul won the 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 Volleyball Championships; Minnesota Duluth won the 2008 & 2010 Football Championships and Minnesota State Women’s Basketball won the 2008-09 Championship. The NSIC has also crowned 24 individual National Champions since joining the NCAA in 1993.

Benson and Knudsvig Selected as PTP Basketball Players of the Week

Sean Benson (So., Forward) from Bagley High School and Mitch Knudsvig
(Sr., Guard) from Lake Park-Audubon High School have been honored as
the Pine to Prairie Girls and Boys Basketball Players of the Week.
Sean paced the Flyers to a 2-1 record last week by averaging 14 points per
game. Benson played a critical role in the Flyers’ conference wins over
Climax-Fisher and Win-E-Mac. She scored 12 points and grabbed 11
rebounds against the Knights and had a game high 24 points on 6-11 three
point shooting in the win over the Patriots. Sean added 6 points in a nonconference loss against Clearbrook-Gonvick. Sean currently leads the
conference in assist per game.

Mitch scored 25 points in a win over Norman County West on Tuesday. He
went 5 of 7 from the free throw line and made 4 three pointers. Knudsvig
followed that performance up with 31 points in a victory over Waubun on
Friday. He made 8 three pointers and was 7 of 10 from the foul line. He
also added 3 steals. Mitch continued to show great leadership and helped
Lake Park-Audubon go 2-0 in the conference for the week.

Other outstanding performers for the week include: Jenna Lundon (Jr.,
Guard) from Waubun High School, Patrick Thompson (So., Forward) from
Bagley High School, and Jacob Pavek (So., Forward) from Mahnomen High
School.

UND's Matt Frattin, Chay Genoway nominated for 2011 Hobey Baker Award

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Fighting Sioux hockey fans can vote for North Dakota seniors Matt Frattin and Chay Genoway in the 2011 Hobey Baker Award fan balloting, which begins today.

The Hobey Baker Award recognizes the top player in NCAA Division I men's hockey each year. To submit a vote, visit http://www.hobeybaker.com and click on the 'Vote for Hobey Baker' tab. Users can vote for their favorite Hobey Baker candidate once every 24 hours. When online voting closes, the votes are tabulated and the results will carry a weight in the final selection process of the 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner!

Frattin has emerged as the most productive goal-scorer in the nation this season, scoring an NCAA-leading 20 goals through the first 23 games, four more than any other player in the country and six more than any other WCHA player. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Frattin also tops the second-ranked and WCHA-leading Fighting Sioux with a career-high 28 points, and his 19 points during WCHA games are tied for the league lead.

Frattin enters the week riding an eight-game goal-scoring streak that is the fourth-longest in UND history and a nine-game point streak that is the longest of his career. Six of his 20 goals have come on the power-play, two have come shorthanded and two have been game-winners. Frattin has scored 30 goals in his last 35 games dating back to last Feb. 13.

Genoway, a fifth-year senior, has reclaimed his place among the most dynamic players in college hockey after missing virtually the entire 2009-10 season due to post-concussion syndrome. In 23 games this season, the Sioux captain has four goals and a team-leading 17 assists for 21 points, a total topped by only four other defensemen in the nation. Genoway leads all WCHA defensemen with 14 points in 14 league games and brings a career-best nine-game point streak into this week's series against Minnesota.

An AHCA All-American and the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year in 2008-09, Genoway leads all active NCAA Division I defensemen with 111 career points. The Morden, Manitoba, native is a three-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete, a three-time All-WCHA Academic selection and was an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America first team honoree in 2008-09.

Hobey Baker Memorial Award Criteria
Candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice and must contribute to the integrity of the team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules, be full time students in an accredited NCAA college or university, and complete 50% or more of the season.

Hobey Baker Memorial Award Selection Process
Every head hockey coach at an accredited Division I NCAA school receives one ballot. Coaches are asked to pick the top three players in their league and the top three players in the nation (two separate rankings, three players each; a player may be listed in both places, and a coach can vote for his own player).

Coaches from 58 schools receive a ballot. Those ballots, along with Vote for Hobey's Preliminary Voting results, are tabulated by an accounting firm to determine the 10 finalists.

The top ten advances to the Selection Committee, which decides the eventual winner from the top ten. This committee is composed of print media, electronic media, NHL scouts, and the American Hockey Coaches Association (college hockey coaches). Its members are spread out among the hockey-playing section of the United States. The committee also includes an individual from USA Hockey.

Selection Committee terms are three years, and members may be reappointed. Selection Committee nominees are approved by a six-member Advisory Committee representing expertise in all facets of hockey.

Kujava, Skersick and Pemberton selected as PTP Basketball Players of the Week

Taylor Kujava (Jr., Forward) from Ada-Borup High School and Katie
Skersick (Sr., Center) from Bagley High School have been selected as the
Pine to Prairie Girls Basketball Players of the Week. Lorenzo Pemberton
(Jr., Forward) also from Bagley High School has been honored as the Pine to
Prairie Boys Basketball Player of the Week.

Taylor lead the Ada-Borup Cougars to two conference wins last week. Her
team defeated Mahnomen and Lake Park-Audubon. During these games,
Kujava averaged 17.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Taylor
received Pine to Prairie Player of the Week honors during the volleyball
season this past fall as well.

Katie Skersick paced the Flyers as they went 1-1 on the week, losing to
Thief River Falls but then defeating Fosston in a hard fought game on the
road. Skersick scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds against Thief River
Falls and then scored a game high 28 points against Fosston. Katie went 12-
19 from the floor and 4-5 from the foul line during the contest. She also
added 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Lorenzo Pemberton helped the Bagley Flyers to a 3-0 record last week as
they defeated Park Rapids, Fosston and Thief River Falls. Lorenzo played
outstanding defense in all three games and averaged 15.5 points and 10.5
rebounds during the Fosston and Thief River Falls games. He also added 5
steals and 4 blocked shots while going 12-17 from the floor during those two
games.

Other outstanding performers for the week include: Shelby Kaster (Fr.,
Center) from Win-E-Mac, Rachel Pazdernik (Jr., Center) from Waubun and
Bill Atwood (Sr., Forward) from Ada-Borup.

UND's Dell named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A near-perfect goaltending performance in North Dakota's sweep of Robert Morris last weekend has landed sophomore goalie Aaron Dell another conference honor.

Dell, a native of Airdrie, Alberta, has been named Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after stopping 62 of 63 RMU shots and taking a run at one of the oldest records in UND hockey history.

Dell stopped all 32 shots he faced in Friday's 8-0 win to earn his second straight shutout. The following night, Dell stopped the first 30 shots he faced before RMU scored their lone goal of the weekend with 20 seconds left in the third period. The goal ended Dell's shutout streak at 224 minutes and 31 seconds, making it the second-longest such streak in school history. He came within just over one period of Gerald "Spike" Schultz's school record of 249:41 set in 1953-54.

The sweep over RMU gave Dell an NCAA-leading 15 victories, while also running his personal winning streak to seven games and his unbeaten streak to nine (8-0-1).

In 20 games this season, Dell is 15-4-1 with a 1.92 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.

Wisconsin sophomore forward Craig Smith was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week, and St. Cloud State freshman forward Nic Dowd was named WCHA Rookie of the Week.

NDSU at IUPUI Thursday & Western Illinois Saturday

THIS WEEK: The North Dakota State men's basketball team will play its only two road games of the month this week. Third-place NDSU (9-6, 3-2) faces third-place IUPUI (9-9, 3-2) at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 13, at The Jungle (1,215) in Indianapolis, Ind., and eighth-place Western Illinois (6-9, 1-4) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Western Hall (5,139) in Macomb, Ill.

THE SERIES: Thursday will be the seventh meeting between North Dakota State and IUPUI dating back to 2007-08. IUPUI has a 4-2 lead in the series after winning 86-74 in Indianapolis and 66-52 in Fargo last year. The Bison are 1-2 in Indianapolis. ... Saturday will be the seventh meeting between North Dakota State and Western Illinois dating back to 2007-08. NDSU has won five straight and leads the series 5-1 after winning 60-55 in Macomb and 63-59 in overtime in Fargo last year. The Bison are 2-1 in Macomb.

ABOUT IUPUI: The Jaguars are 9-9 overall and tied for third in The Summit League with a 3-2 record after losing 85-71 at Oakland and winning 78-74 at IPFW last week. Three starters and nine letterwinners are back from last year's 25-11 team that placed second in the league with a 15-3 record and advanced to the second round of the College Basketball Invitational. The top returner is junior guard/forward Alex Young, who leads the team in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg), blocks (14) and steals (28). Senior guard/forward Leroy Nobles is the second leading scorer with 15.7 points per game and junior guard Stephen Thomas is third with 10.6 ppg. Head coach Ron Hunter (Miami Ohio, 1986) has a record of 254-214 in his 17th season at IUPUI.

ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Fighting Leathernecks have lost five of their last six to drop to 6-9 overall and are tied for eighth in The Summit League with a 1-4 record after losing 68-55 at IPFW and 79-50 at Oakland last week. Senior guard Matt Lander, the leading scorer at 16.7 points per game, is one of nine letterwinners back from last year's 13-17 team that tied for seventh in the league with a 6-12 record. Junior guard Ceola Clark III is the only other player averaging double figures with 10.7 points and 5.0 assists per game. Clark played in six of the first seven games but has not played since the Oral Roberts loss Dec. 2 and has missed eight contests. Head coach Jim Molinari (Illinois Wesleyan, 1977) has a 28-46 record in his third season at Western Illinois and a 251-232 record in his 17th season overall.

NDSU's Felt Named Summit League Player of the Week

North Dakota State guard Mike Felt was named Summit League men's basketball Player of the Week by the league office on Monday, Jan. 10.

Felt, a freshman from Redwood Falls, Minn., shot 11-for-17 from the 3-point line and 10-for-10 at the free-throw line in a pair of home wins last weekend over Oral Roberts and Centenary.

Felt scored a career-high 22 points in Thursday's 80-74 win over Oral Roberts. He was 4-for-6 from the arc and made eight straight free throws in the final 65 seconds to seal the win.

Felt was 7-for-11 from the 3-point line and scored a game-high 21 points in Saturday's 76-60 win over Centenary. He tied the NDSU single-game record for most 3's made in a game held by five other players.

Felt tied the NDSU single-game record for free-throw percentage going 10-for-10 against ORU. He scored 16 points in the second half, including a personal 8-0 run midway through after the Bison went behind 52-51.

It was the first career award for Felt, who entered the week averaging 3.5 points per game and 9-for-20 from the 3-point line.

North Dakota State snapped a three-game losing streak and extended its home court winning streak to seven games dating back to last season.

The Bison are scheduled to play at IUPUI on Thursday, Jan. 13, and Western Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 15, before returning home for four straight Summit League games to close out the month.

BSU hockey to play Alabama-Huntsville

The Bemidji State University men's ice hockey team looks to continue
solid play to begin the second half of the 2010-11 and extend his
winning streak beyond two games this weekend as it travels to
Huntsville, Ala. to face long-time rival University of Alabama
Huntsville in the Beavers' final nonconference series of the season.

The two-game set will get underway 7:05 p.m. Friday before a 3:05 p.m.
finale Saturday. Both games will be played at the Von Braun Center.
Bemidji State (7-10-1; 4-9-1 WCHA), winner in five of its last
seven outings, hits the road for two of 10 remaining second half road
contests fresh off a 2-0 record and Mariucci Classic championship Dec.
31-Jan. 1. Goaltender Dan Bakala has been a key to BSU's current
streak posting a .956 save percentage and 1.30 goals against average in
his last sevens starts, while sophomore forward Jordan George has
flourished offensively netting five goals and three assists for eight
points since Nov. 27.

Ala.-Huntsville welcomes the Beavers to the south owning a
2-18-2 record in its first season as an independent. The Chargers seek
their first victory since Nov. 27 and are coming off a pair of 2-1
losses to Rensselaer at the Von Braun Center Dec. 30-31. UAH is led by
senior defenseman Matt Baxter who has six goals and 10 assists for 16
points, while its been goaltender by committee this season for the
Chargers. With three freshman goaltenders attempting the fill the shoes
of departed Cameron Talbot, Clark Saunders (.883 SV%, 3.99 GAA, 2-10-0)
has shouldered the bulk of the weight between the pipes seeing time in
12 games, but John Griggs (.911 SV%, 2.87 GAA, 0-4-1) has had the hot
hand as of late starting UAH's last three contests.

The Rivalries
After 11 years as members of College Hockey America, this weekend,
Bemidji State and Ala.-Huntsville meet as nonconference opponents for
the first time since the teams clashed in Huntsville, Ala. for the 1998
NCAA Division II national championship.

The BSU/UAH rivalry got its start March 11, 1994. In addition to
being charter members of the CHA, these teams have a long-standing,
bitter rivalry. The Chargers and Beavers have met in the NCAA Division
II national tournament on four occasions with BSU defeating UAH for
titles in 1994 and 1997. The Beavers hold a 35-27-4 lead in the all-time
series. Since Mar. 3, 2006, BSU is a dominant 22-2-2 versus UAH and
enter this weekend’s series unbeaten in the last 12 meetings (11-0-1)
of the series.

Dragons Open National Duals Against No. 1 Mavericks

The Dragons wrestling team leaves the confines of Minnesota State University Moorhead for the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Dragons drew the No. 1 ranked Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks to begin the tournament on Saturday.

The Dragons are coming off their first win over Jamestown College (N.D.). The Dragons routed the Jimmies 35-3.

The Dragons take on the Mavericks at 9 a.m. on Saturday will will then face either No. 11 Upper Iowa or No. 10 Grand Canyon (Ariz.) at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Bakala named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Madison, Wis. -- Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (WCHA) announced
today that Bemidji State University goaltender Dan Bakala (Jr., Calgary,
Alberta) has been selected WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after
leading the Beavers to the Mariucci Classic championship, Dec. 31 and
Jan. 1, with victories over Ferris State University and then-No. 14
Union College.

Bakala led the Beavers to the holiday tournament title with a pair of
wins. In 119:42 between the pipes, the junior recorded a 1.50 goals
against average, while turning away 65 of 68 shots for a .965 save
percentage. In addition, he backstopped a BSU penalty-kill unit that
conceded just one power-play goal in six opponent opportunities.

In the classic-opener, Bakala recorded 35 saves, including 17 in the
third period alone to hold off a late charge by Ferris State and
preserve the 3-2 victory. Saturday versus Union, the junior held the
nation’s fourth-ranked scoring offense and power-play unit ranked No.
1 in the country scoring on 34 percent of it chances this season, to
just one goal improving his record at 6-6-0 on the season in the
process.

The goaltender of record in 12 of the Beavers’ 18 games this season,
Bakala is 6-6-0 with a 2.31 GAA and .918 save percentage. He has won
five of his last seven appearances posting a 1.30 GAA and .956 save
percentage with a pair of shutouts during the streak.

The WCHA laurel marks the second time the league has selected Bakala
for the weekly honor after being picked as co-defensive player of the
week Dec. 7 after posting a pair of wins over then-No. 4 University of
Nebraska Omaha.

The Calgary, Alberta native and sophomore Jordan George (F, Madison,
Wis.), who garnered individual honors Nov. 9, remain the only Beavers to
gain league honors in the team’s inaugural season in the WCHA.

Bakala shares the conference honor Minnesota State University,
Mankato’s Michael Dorr, who was named WCHA Offensive Player of the
Week and the league’s rookie of the week Nic Dowd of St. Cloud State
University.

Bemidji State, which has won five of its last seven contests and is
6-10-1 on the season, rekindles one of its most storied rivalries this
weekend with a trip to Huntsville, Ala. to face the Chargers of the
University of Ala.-Huntsville. The two-game set featuring former
College Hockey America (CHA) foes is set to get underway at 7:05 p.m.
Friday and will conclude with a 3:05 p.m. affair Saturday at the Von
Braun Center.

Former Bemidji State football player Trent Baalke named GM of 49ers Baalke elevated to General Manager after 14 years with the organization

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The National Football League’s (NFL) San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday evening that Bemidji State University graduate
Trent Baalke has been named the organization’s General Manager.

A 1986 graduate of Bemidji State University, Baalke attended BSU from 1982-86 and played a variety of positions for the Beaver football team
during that time. He piled up 67 solo tackles and assisted on 102 stops for a career total of 169 tackles. The two-time All-Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) selection also accounted for 11 pass deflections, seven interceptions two forced fumbles and collected four fumble recoveries.

Under Head Coach John Peterson, the Rosendale, Wis. native and the Beavers were 21-20-1 and finished as high as third in the NIC (1984 and
1985).

Baalke, 46, enters his seventh season with the 49ers and 14th in the National Football League. Baalke most recently served as the 49ers’
Vice President of Player Personnel, overseeing all aspects of player
personnel.

Over the last nine months, Baalke was responsible for all player acquisitions. His first order of business was orchestrating a trade with
the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. He then commanded the 49ers draft process for the first time. All eight of the 49ers 2010
selections made the active roster, including first rounders Anthony Davis Mike Iupati, who each started every game on the offensive line last season. Baalke also played a role in extending the contracts of Pro Bowlers linebacker Patrick Willis and tight end Vernon Davis and signing veteran running back Brian Westbrook.

Prior to his promotion to Vice President of Player Personnel, Baalke was the 49ers’ Director of Player Personnel (2008-09), where he oversaw both the college and pro personnel departments. He first joined the franchise in 2005 as the team’s Western Region Scout, a position he held until 2007.

Baalke also spent four years on the Washington Redskins’™ scouting staff, serving as the College Scouting Coordinator in his final season.
From 2001 to 2003, he served as Washington’s National Scout.

Before joining the Redskins, Baalke spent three seasons (1998-2000) as a scout with the New York Jets.

From 1990 to 1995, Baalke held the position of defensive line/strength and conditioning coach at South Dakota State University. In that role, he helped promote players such as former Pro Bowl guard Adam Timmerman and current NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri to NFL scouts. Baalke then spent time as the athletic director at Shanley High School in Fargo, N.D., before moving on to the Jets.

Baalke began his coaching career as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at North Dakota State University, in 1989. The team finished with
a 14-0 record and a Division II National Championship.

He fills a post vacated by then-GM Scot McCloughan. The post has been vacant since March 2010.

Trent and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Katy and Cassie and reside in Loveland, Colo.

UMC Women's Basketball schedule

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women’s Basketball team returns to Lysaker Gymnasium this weekend when they host Northern State and Mary in NSIC action. Due to last weekend’s games getting moved back two days, this weekend’s games have been move to Saturday and Sunday and will start at 2 p.m. on each day.

MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON – (5-6, 2-5 NSIC) The Golden Eagle Women’s Basketball team went 1-1 on the weekend. After defeating Southwest Minnesota State 67-60, UMC fell to Minnesota State 69-67. Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, Sr, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) led the Golden Eagles averaging 16.5 points/game. She grabbed 17 rebounds good for second on the team with an 8.5 rebounds/game average. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, Sr, Northfield, Minn.) followed Zelinsky with a 14.5 points/game average and was second on the team with six assists.

NORTHERN STATE- (7-5, 4-4 NSIC) #35 Mikayla Barondeau (F, 6-1, Jr. Frederick, SD) had a 12 point average on the weekend scoring 13 points in the Wolves’ 72-69 win over Upper Iowa on Monday and finishing with 11 in the team’s 65-56 loss to Winona State on Tuesday. Emily Becken hit a game-winning three as the buzzer sounded Monday to defeat the Peacocks. NSU will be in action again this weekend when they travel north to take on Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at 2 p.m. and MSU Moorhead at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

MARY- (7-5, 4-4 NSIC) Ali Collins (G, 5-9, SO, Mandan, ND) led the Marauders to a split over the weekend. The sophomore point guard opened the New Year with 15 points in a tough 84-78 loss at Winona State. Collins made 6-of-9 shots from the field, made two treys, dished six assists and grabbed four rebounds. She followed with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in just 18 minutes during a 78-46 rout of Upper Iowa. For the two games, Collins averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 58.8 per cent from the field and 50 per cent on treys… McKenzie Foster (F, 5-10, R-FR, Big Timber, MT) was nearly perfect from the field, making 10-of-12 shots and averaging 13.0 points while playing just 18 minutes a game. Foster made 3-of-4 shots and scored nine points with two steals off the bench at Winona State. She followed with a game-high 17 points at Upper Iowa, making 7-of-8 shots, including 2-of-3 behind the arc. The redshirt freshman also dished five assists.

Bison Look to Snap Three-Game Skid Against Oral Roberts, Centenary

THIS WEEK: The North Dakota State men's basketball time will look to snap a three-game losing streak this week in their first two home Summit League games of the year. NDSU (7-6, 1-2) plays six of its next eight games at home beginning with Oral Roberts (5-11, 2-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, and Centenary (0-15, 0-4) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Bison Sports Arena (5,830) in Fargo.

THE SERIES: Thursday will be the 10th meeting between North Dakota State and Oral Roberts dating back to 1967-68. ORU has a 5-4 lead in the series after three victories last year. ORU won 65-59 in Fargo, 71-57 in Tulsa, and 65-64 in overtime in the Summit League quarterfinals.

Saturday will be the eighth meeting between North Dakota State and Centenary dating back to 2007-08. NDSU leads the series 7-0 after winning 82-70 in Fargo and 73-62 in Shreveport last year.

Beaver Pride's third annual Hardwater Classic set for Jan. 15

As the January winds whisk in from the north and temperatures plunge below zero, Bemidji State University offers an opportunity for all of Northern Minnesota to embrace the outdoors. Beaver Pride, the scholarship fund-raising arm of BSU athletics, has set aside January 15 from 12-3 p.m. for its third annual Hardwater Classic.

In its third year, the Hardwater Classic is a catch-and-release ice fishing tournament held on Lake Bemidji in conjunction with Brrmidji Polar Daze events. All proceeds of the annual fund-raising event directly benefits the Bemidji State University athletic scholarship fund.

The 2011 event promises to be bigger and better than ever. In addition to a $1,000 cash prize for the largest fish pulled through the ice, prizes such as pop-up fish houses, Glide-Lite sleds and ice augers will be awarded for the first 50 fish caught. Any participant lucky enough to land a specially tagged fish will be awarded a 2010 Honda CRV courtesy of Honda of Bemidji. Moreover, anglers will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2010 Polaris Ranger 400 side-by-side ATM donated by Bemidji Sport Centre and Polaris. Participants that are able to land a fish the length of their ticket will be entered for a chance to win an Ice Castle green fish house from Corner Sports. In all, cash and prizes exceed $40,000.

Participants are encouraged to park in the Bangsburg parking lot, located on the BSU campus at the corner of 15th Street and Birchmont Drive NE, and will be transported to the pre-drilled holes at the tournament site by hay wagon. The only on-ice parking will be for handicapped vehicles and must be marked as such.

A pre-tournament rules meeting will take place at 11:15 a.m. at the tournament site the day of the event.

For rules, previous event photos or to register visit http://www.hardwaterclassic.org. Registration can be made by calling
218-755-2294 and registration forms can be picked up at Gander Mountain,
Bluewater Outdoors and the stations of Paul Bunyan Broadcasting locally.

Registration is $25 for the general public and $15 for Bemidji State University students with a valid ID.

All registration forms and payment received by Jan. 12 will be entered into a drawing for a GPS compliments of Gander Mountain.

MSU-M event changes

MSU-Moorhead Basketball coaches, Chad Walthall and Karla Nelson will host Wings with Walthall and Coffee with Karla the second week of January as Moxie Coffee will host Coach Nelson at 9:30 a.m. (Jan. 11) and Buffalo Wild Wings will host Coach Walthall at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.

Wings with Walthall was originally scheduled for Jan. 5 and has been moved due to scheduling changes within the NSIC.

Josh Hager Hired as Defensive Coordinator with Golden Eagle Football

(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston football program announced today that Josh Hager has been hired as the new defensive coordinator with Golden Eagle Football. Hager was a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Michigan Tech for the past four seasons.

“Josh is an excellent football coach with tremendous talent and work ethic. Josh’s background as a position coach and recruiting coordinator for Division II programs makes him the perfect fit for us,” says Head Coach Chuck Moller. “I have known Josh for his entire professional career and feel very comfortable that he will be asset to the development of this program.”

Before arriving at Michigan Tech, Hager spent a season as the wide receivers coach at NCAA Division I-AA Central Connecticut State, where he helped the Blue Devils to an 8-3 record. CCSU’s offense set seven school records and finished among the top 10 in the country in Division I-AA in scoring (33.0 points per game) and total offense (386.8 yards per game).

Prior to his stint at CCSU, Hager worked at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., from 2003 to 2005. He coached the linebackers, defensive line and tight ends during his tenure.

Hager played quarterback at Dickinson State University for four years and began his coaching career there in 1996. He moved to Valley City State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and physical education in 1999. Hager gained a master’s degree in secondary administration from the University of Mary in 2006.

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