R&J Sports: August 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014

Lukkason Named Assistant Baseball Coach at UMC

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the addition of Michael Lukkason as assistant baseball coach. Lukkason, an East Grand Forks, Minn., native was an assistant coach for his alma mater Dakota Wesleyan University last season after earning NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2013 as a short stop.

“We are pleased to add Michael to our staff,” said UMC head coach Steve Gust. “He knows what needs to be done on the field and understands by philosophy as well as anyone. As a player, he established himself as an elite all-around player. We expect he will do the same as a coach, and has already proven he can help develop student-athletes from a coaching perspective.”

Lukkason was the 12th All-American in DWU history under current UMC head coach Steve Gust. Lukkason was named Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Player of the Year during his senior season in 2013. He was an All-GPAC selection as a junior and senior for the Tigers. As a senior, Lukkason hit .401 with five home runs, 40 runs scored, 43 runs batted in, 13 doubles and one triple.

Prior to arriving at DWU, Lukkason was named Athlete of the Year at East Grand Forks High school during his senior season. As a member of East Grand Forks legion team, hit seven home runs. In addition to his success on the baseball field, Lukkason was team MVP of the tennis team and competed at the state tennis
tournament, and was also named most improved on the hockey team.

Lukkason earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Business from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2012. Master of Education and Administration from DWU in 2014.

Michael married Laura Gast of East Grand Forks in July of 2014.

In addition to Lukkason, Gust has also added another former player, Alex Sumner, to his staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Sumner earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. Sumner set several school
records while playing for Gust at DWU and helped lead the team to the NAIA National Tournament.

Following his time at Dakota Wesleyan, Sumner played three years of independent minot league baseball earning honors as an All-Star Short Stop in the New York State League. In addition, he led the league in
batting average and stolen bases. Sumner is currently the Director of Sports for Special Olympics North
Dakota and is the Coordinator of Extra Innings Baseball, out of Grand Forks, N.D.

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

Thursday, August 28, 2014

UMC Men’s Basketball Releases 2014-15 Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program officially announced their 2014-15 schedule Thursday afternoon. The Golden Eagles’ schedule will feature exhibitions against
Division I foes University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and North Dakota State University, along with non-conference tilts with NCAA Division II power Seattle Pacific University and Central Washington University in Seattle, Wash. In addition, the Golden Eagles will have 22 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) games including 13 regular-season home dates.

“When we put together this schedule, we had a purpose,” said Head Coach Dan Weisse. “We want to expose our players to as high of a level of competition as we can. I feel like our non-conference schedule will prepare us for our league which is second to none in the country. Our guys will have a great experience on the road and will hopefully come together as a unit heading into our difficult NSIC schedule.

We are also excited about the schedule we have at home and hope that the Crookston community will come out and watch our players hard work come together beginning with the first exhibition game against Wisconsin-Superior. I think people will like what they see and I know we are excited to get this journey started.”

The Golden Eagles will open up the 2014-15 slate as they host the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. Wisconsin-Superior is an NCAA Division III member.

Following their exhibition, the Golden Eagles will play four games in six days to open the season. Minnesota Crookston will commence the regular season as they head to Seattle, Wash. Nov. 14 and 15. The Golden Eagles will play a pair of challenging foes beginning with Central Washington, who went 12-14 last season, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. UMC will then take on Seattle Pacific, who finished the year ranked 11th in the nation, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. Minnesota Crookston will then head directly to Milwaukee, Wis. to play an exhibition against NCAA Division I member Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the alma mater of Coach Weisse, at 7 p.m. Nov. 17. UMC will then return home their home non-conference opener as they take on University of Jamestown Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. UMC will wrap up their non-conference slate Nov. 22 at home against Crossroads College at 2 p.m.

UMC will face-off with North Dakota State in one final exhibition tilt Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. The Bison went 26-7 during the 2013-14 season en route to the third round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.

The Golden Eagles will open up an always difficult NSIC slate as they head to Bemidji, Minn. to face Bemidji State University Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. The Beavers shared the NSIC North title last season. UMC will then return to the friendly confines of Lysaker Gymnasium for their NSIC opeoner against University of Minnesota
Duluth Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. UMC will remain home to take on St. Cloud State University Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

UMC will then hit the road to face-off with Wayne State College (Neb.) in Wayne, Neb. Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. The following day they will take on Augustana College (S.D.) Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. Minnesota Crookston will wrap up the 2014 portion of their schedule as they host BSU at 6 p.m. Dec. 20.

Minnesota Crookston will open up the new year with home games Jan. 2 against University of Mary at 8 p.m. and Jan. 3 against Minot State University at 6 p.m.

UMC’s first trek of the 2015 portion of their schedule will take them to St. Cloud State Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. and Minnesota Duluth Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will return home to face Concordia University, St. Paul Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. and Minnesota State University, Mankato Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. The Mavericks won the NSIC South and finished the year ranked No. 9 in the nation and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Minnesota Crookston will hit the road again for a four-game trip beginning with Minnesota State University Moorhead, Weisse’s previous employer where he was assistant coach under Chad Walthall. The Golden Eagles and Dragons will face-off Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. UMC will then take on Northern State University Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles will take on Upper Iowa University Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. and then Winona State University Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. The Warriors participated in the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15.

UMC will return home to face University of Sioux Falls Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. and Southwest Minnesota State University Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. They will then hit the road for their final road trip of the season as they take on Minot State Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. and U-Mary Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the year at home as they battle Northern State at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 and MSU Moorhead Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

UMC is in their first season as Weisse as head coach, taking over for Jeff Oseth. The Golden Eagles currently have a 16-man roster featuring seven seniors. Weisse will be joined on the bench by former Colorado State University player Mike Annese, who has been an assistant at Truman State University and Iowa Lakes Community College, and Bryan Beamish, who played at Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was a graduate assistant at University of Miami (Fla.) and an assistant at Saint Leo University.

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).

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2014-15 Men’s Basketball Schedule

11/8    Wisconsin-Superior (Exhibition)    Crookston, Minn.    4 p.m.
11/14    vs. Central Washington        Seattle, Wash.        5 p.m.
11/15    at Seattle Pacific            Seattle, Wash.        9 p.m.
11/17    at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Exhibition)    Milwaukee, Wis.    7 p.m.
11/19    Jamestown                Crookston, Minn.    7 p.m.
11/22    Crossroads                Crookston, Minn    2 p.m.
11/25    at North Dakota State (Exhibition)    Fargo, N.D        7 p.m.
11/29    at Bemidji State            Bemidji, Minn.        4 p.m.
12/5    Minnesota Duluth            Crookston, Minn.    8 p.m.
12/6    St. Cloud State            Crookston, Minn.                    6 p.m.
12/12    at Wayne State (Neb.)        Wayne, Neb.                        8 p.m.
12/13    at Augustana (S.D.)            Sioux Falls, S.D.                    6 p.m.
12/20    Bemidji State                Crookston, Minn.                    6 p.m.
1/2    U-Mary                Crookston, Minn.                    8 p.m.
1/3    Minot State                Crookston, Minn.                    6 p.m.
1/9    at St. Cloud State            St. Cloud, Minn.                    8 p.m.
1/10    at Minnesota Duluth            Duluth, Minn.                        6 p.m.
1/16    Concordia-St. Paul            Crookston, Minn.                    8 p.m.
1/17    Minnesota State            Crookston, Minn.                    6 p.m.
1/23    at MSU Moorhead            Moorhead, Minn.                    8 p.m.
1/24    at Northern State            Aberdeen, S.D.                    6 p.m.
1/30    at Upper Iowa                Fayette, Iowa                        8 p.m.
1/31    at Winona State            Winona, Minn.                        6 p.m.
2/6    Sioux Falls                Crookston, Minn.                    8 p.m.
2/7    Southwest Minnesota State        Crookston, Minn.                    6 p.m.
2/13    at Minot State                Minot, N.D.                       8 p.m.
2/14    at U-Mary                Bismarck, N.D.                       6 p.m.
2/20    Northern State            Crookston, Minn.                   8 p.m.
2/21    MSU Moorhead            Crookston, Minn.                   6 p.m.

Monday, August 25, 2014

High School Volleyball Rankings

State volleyball rankings, provided by the coaches association...

CLASS 3A
1. Chaska (8) 133
2. Eagan (1) 121
3. Eden Prairie 112
4. Delano 103
5. Hopkins 100
6. Lakeville South 83
7. Roseville 71
8. Osseo 55
9. Waconia 48
10. Prior Lake 38
Others receiving votes: Wayzata (34), Minnetonka (26), Rosemount (17), North St. Paul (12), Edina (9), Owatonna (4)

CLASS 2A
1. Marshall (3) 59
2. Stewartville 47
3. Kasson-Mantorville 45
Belle Plaine (1) 45
5. Maple Lake 39
6. Jordan 37
7. Jackson County Central 36
8. Concordia Academy 33
9. Thief River Falls 31
10. Hill-Murray 28
Others receiving votes: Melrose (10),

CLASS 1A
1. Bethlehem Academy (4) 74
2. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 60
3. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 58
4. Fillmore Central 55
New Life Academy 55
6. Ada-Borup 46
7. Minneota (1) 40
8. Heritage Academy 35
9. Mabel-Canton 34
10. Central MN Christian 20
Others receiving votes: Mayer Lutheran (16), Southwest Christian (13), Hayfield (7), Southwest United (6), Martin County West (6)

(info courtesy of mshsl)

Friday, August 22, 2014

Scheels Bison Block Party Set for August 28

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University Athletics will host the annual Scheels Bison Block Party on Thursday, Aug. 28, providing a great opportunity for fans to meet and mingle prior to the fall sports' season-opening events.

The Scheels Bison Block Party is free and open to the public and will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at Scheels at 1551 45th Street S in Fargo. Thundar, the Gold Star Marching Band, NDSU cheer team and head football coach Chris Klieman will be in attendance. Joining the party this year will be Corso, the live Bison mascot featured on last fall's ESPN College Game Day broadcast in downtown Fargo.

The event will feature a free concert from the Front Fenders, and fans will be treated to complimentary hot dogs, Pepsi and chips. There will also be inflatable games from Games Galore.

The event will culminate with the unveiling of the new Bison football gold uniforms.

Lynx Forward Maya Moore Named to WNBA All-Defensive Second Team

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today announced Maya Moore was selected to the 2014 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. This is the first All-Defensive team honor for Moore and the fifth time in franchise history that a player has been named All-Defensive Team. Rebekkah Brunson (2011-2013) has made the team three times and Nicky Anosike (2009) was the first player in team history to be honored.

Moore is joined on the Second Team by Alana Beard (Los Angeles), Tamika Catchings (Indiana), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago) and Danielle Robinson (San Antonio). Selected by the WNBA’s 12 head coaches, the All-Defensive First Team is highlighted by Brittney Griner (Phoenix), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta), Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta), Briann January (Indiana) and Tanisha Wright (Seattle).

Wrapping up her fourth WNBA season, Moore averaged 23.9 points and 8.1 rebounds while starting all 34 games during the regular season. She set a career-high with 10 point/rebound double-doubles and pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds on two occasions. The league's Most Valuable Player ranked eighth in the league in rebounding (8.1 rpg), fifth in steals (1.9 spg) and 14th in blocks per game (0.8 bpg). Moore set a career-high with four blocked shots against Seattle on June 29 and recorded five steals on multiple occasions.

Below are the entire results for the 2014 WNBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams:

2014 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

PLAYER TEAM POSITION POINTS

Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center 55

Sancho Lyttle Atlanta Dream Forward 45

Briann January Indiana Fever Guard 53

Angel McCoughtry Atlanta Dream Forward 30

Tanisha Wright Seattle Storm Guard 30

2014 WNBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

PLAYER TEAM POSITION POINTS

Maya Moore Minnesota Lynx Forward 17

Alana Beard Los Angeles Sparks Guard 29

Tamika Catchings Indiana Fever Forward 29

Sylvia Fowles Chicago Sky Center 17

Danielle Robinson San Antonio Silver Stars Guard 20

The Western Conference Semifinals continue Saturday, August 23 as the Lynx visit the San Antonio Stars with Minnesota leading the series, 1-0. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT on ESPN2 and BOB 106.1 FM. Single-game tickets for potential home games are still available, beginning as low as $16. Playoff tickets and strips are available by calling the Lynx at 612-673-8400 or by visiting lynxbasketball.com/lynxtix.

NDSU Adds UND to Football Schedule for 2015, 2019

FARGO, N.D. – Longtime in-state football rivals North Dakota State and North Dakota will meet for the first time as Division I opponents next season.

NDSU completed its 2015 schedule by adding a Sept. 19 game with UND to be played at Gate City Bank Field in Fargo. The two-game contract calls for UND to return to Fargo on Sept. 7, 2019.

Per the terms of the agreement, NDSU will provide UND cash guarantees of $125,000 for the first game and $140,000 for the second game, plus 500 tickets and the option for UND to bring its band and cheer team.

The most recent two-game proposal was outlined by former NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor and current UND athletic director Brian Faison.

“Gene worked hard to find a solution that would be agreeable to both schools,” said NDSU interim athletic director Prakash Mathew. “I am happy that Gene’s offer has come to fruition.”

The teams have not met since 2003 in Grand Forks as members of NCAA Division II and the North Central Conference.

NDSU began Division I football in 2004 as a founding member of the Great West Football Conference before moving in 2008 to the Missouri Valley Football Conference. UND began in 2008 as a member of the Great West and joined the Big Sky Conference in 2012.

UND has a 62-45-3 advantage in the all-time series with NDSU dating back to 1894, including a 35-30 edge since the Nickel Trophy was inaugurated in 1938. The trophy is a 75-pound replica of a previously minted U.S. coin that measures in 2 inches thick and 22 inches in diameter.

UMC Baseball Adds Eight to Signing Class

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team announced the addition of eight student-athletes to Offers of Admission to play for the Golden Eagles. The signing class is the first for Head Coach Steve Gust, who took over the program in June.

Patrick Amerson (IF, 5-9 170, Eloy, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan), David Anaya (IF, 5-11 170, Tucson, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan), Ethan Mushitz (IF, 6-0 175, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.), Jarad Nelson (P, 5-10 180, Karlstad, Minn./Northland C.T.C.), Dalton Parks (OF, 5-9 135, West Valley City, Utah/Brown Mackie College), Colt Trebesch (IF/P, 5-10 165, Glencoe, Minn./Mesabi Range C.T.C.), Timothy Scott, Jr. (OF, 6-1 185, Macon, Ga./Mesabi Range C.T.C.) and Nolan Wahlberg (P, Blaine, Minn./Century College) all signed Offers of Admission to play baseball at UMC.

“I am very pleased with the guys that we’re bringing in this Fall,” Gust said. “It was extremely difficult to find quality student-athletes late in the recruiting process, but I feel like these guys fit a lot of the needs of the program on and off the field.

The eight signees join six student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent (NLI’s) to play for the Golden Eagles while former Head Coach Chris Vito was still leading the program. In addition, the Golden Eagles have 13 student-athletes returnign from last season’s squad.

The student-athletes listed today as having signed National Letters of Intent or Offers of Admission to play at University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the UMC Compliance Office once they sign the National Letter of Intent and financial aid agreement or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission from UMC.

Patrick Amerson (IF, 5-9 170, Eloy Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan)

Will be a sophomore eligibilty wise

Prior to UMC: Spent a season playing for Steve Gust at Dakota Wesleyan, an NAIA school in Mitchell, S.D...Did not appear in any games as a freshman for the Golden Eagles...Played at Dakota Wesleyan with David Anaya.

High School: Played for Vista Grande H.S. in Eloy, Ariz...Earned three varsity letters and was a three-year starter...Held a .391 batting average in 203...Batted .238 in 2012...Played three seasons of baseball for the Spartans Post 8...Lettered three times in football and once in basketball...A three-year member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Mary Ann Amerson and Coy Ameron...Major in management...Born Dec. 20, 1994...Uncle Jim O’Donnell played baseball at Phoenix College...Uncle Patrick O’Donnell played baseball at University of Arizona...Uncle Dan O’Donnell was an All-American diver at Arizona State University...Cousin Ryan O’Connell played baseball for national championship University of Arizona squad an the San Diego Padres organization...Uncle Joe O’Donnell played baseball for National Championship University of Arizona squad.

“Patrick is not only a good ball player but also a great student,” Gust said. “His upside is huge because he has all the character traits I look for in a player. He is a team player, hard worker, a good listener and will do whatever it takes to succeed both on and off the field.”

David Anaya (IF, 5-11 170, Tucson, Ariz./Dakota Wesleyan)

Will be a sophomore eligibility wise

Prior to UMC: Played a season at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. under Steve Gust but did not appear in any games...Played at Dakota Wesleyan with Patrick Amerson.

High School: Played for Pueblo Magnet School...Helped Catalina Magnet School to a state title in 2011...Batted .324 as a sophomore...Also played in the Pony League and Kino Collegiate League.

Personal: Born April 25, 1995...Cousin Nathan Arevalo played at Cameron University.

“We signed David to challenge for a starting middle infielder spot from day one,” Gust said. “He has talent, but his biggest asset is his passion to be the best. He has all the tools to be a pretty good all-around player for us.”

Ethan Mushitz (IF, 6-0 175, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.)

High School: Hit .364 with 12 RBI’s and eight runs scored as a senior for East Grand Forks...Earned a varsity letter in baseball.

Personal: Son of Elaine Brustad and Bob Mushitz...Majoring in criminal justice...Born Jan. 26, 1996.

“We’re excited to add an are product with talent to our program,” Gust said. “More important though, he has some tools that will help him contend for playing time this year. We believe he can be a very good player in due time.”

Jarad Nelson (P, 5-10 180, Karlstad, Minn./Northland C.T.C.)