LSC Roundup 1-13

Konya To Lead RiverHawks Athletics
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Jan. 12) --- A new era begins today at Northeastern State University.

Jeff Konya, who brings more than a decade of experience in university athletics, including key leadership roles at two nationally ranked Division I powerhouses Southern Methodist University and the University of Memphis, was named Athletics Director at NSU.

"Northeastern State is fortunate and pleased to welcome Jeff Konya to be our new athletics director,” says President Don Betz in making separate announcements at the NSU campuses in Tahlequah and Broken Arrow. “With his appointment, he will become the fifth person to hold that position in the history of our athletics program.
Jeff Konya Press Conference

On the hunt
Ada — With less than a month remaining before the national signing date for high school football players, McCarty — the “new” East Central University head coach — and assistant Todd Fugett finally hit the road last week, making their first visits to prospective high school recruits.

Hired last month for his second tour at ECU, McCarty knew going into what was left of the recruiting season that he and his staff were going to have to play from behind, but that’s been a fact of life for Tiger coaches for more than a decade.

“I don’t think I could say we’re in as good a shape as UCO or some other teams, but we know where the players are,” McCarty said by cell phone as he drove home Tuesday. “I’m going to rely heavily on some of the high school coaches in the state who know me and who want to get their kids into a top-rate program.”


Dolphins Re-Sign Seven Practice Squad Players For 2009
With their 2008 season coming to an end last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins have begun to shape their 2009 roster by re-signing seven players that finished the year on the team's practice squad.

Re-signed were wide receiver Anthony Armstrong, cornerback Scorpio Babers, cornerback Will Billingsley, fullback Chris Brown, defensive tackle Joe Cohen, running back Lex Hilliard and wide receiver Todd Lowber. All seven received two-year contracts with base salaries of $310,000 (2009) and $395,000 (2010).

Here is some brief background info on each player as well as my thoughts on their chances of making the roster:

WR Anthony Armstrong
A West Texas A&M alum, Armstrong (5-11, 175) played for the Odessa Roughnecks of the Intense Football League before playing two seasons with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He signed with the Dolphins during camp on July 26 and spent the entire 2008 season on the practice squad.

2009 OutlookArmstrong will likely be competing for a fifth and final spot in the Dolphins' receiving corps in 2009. Guys like Ginn, Bess, London and Camarillo (if healthy) will all be ahead of him, not to mention any other players added this offseason through free agency and the draft. Armstrong has his hands full and could be destined for another year on the practice squad unless another team picks him up.

Future A&M-C volleyball Lions earn All-State honors
Recently, five members of Head Coach Mark Pryor's initial recruiting class for the Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team were named to the Texas Sports Writers Association 2008 All-State Volleyball Team.

Three future Lions were named to the third team including in Class 3A, Rachel Roberston, a 6-1 middle blocker from Princeton as well as from Class 2A - Morgan Moeller, a 5-9 outside hitter from Scurry Rosser and Reagan Hayes, a 5-11 utility player from Pottsboro.

Two more received honorable mention recognition including in Class 4A, Blair Claypoole, a 6-2 outside hitter from Mesquite Poteet and Jillian Atkins, a 6-1 middle blocker from Thorndale in Class A.


Invisibles made season a legacy
Despite what their name suggests, the Invisibles weren't able to sneak up on anybody this past season.

But they still managed to bring a national championship back to San Angelo.

A year after finishing second, the champs from Angelo State University won the title at the National Campus Championship Series Flag Football Championships on Dec. 28-30 in Tampa, Fla.

Notebook: Pioneer grad John Groberg becomes all-time leading ...
Burkoth hopes he caught some eyes
Area baseball teams hit rankings
The Notebook: Hastings’ Eichmann verbally commits to MSU
Ashcraft named Cactus Bowl’s offensive lineman of the game
On Campus: Catching up with local athletes at college