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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hoopfest names Crook as director

The Spokesman-Review

Hoopfest has named Brady Crook, Washington State University Associate Director of Athletics, as Executive Director, effective May 2.

Crook will replace Rick Steltenpohl, who announced his resignation last month to become a managing partner with Phoenix-based Northwest Sports and Entertainment. Steltenpohl will stay with Hoopfest through August.

Crook, who was in involved in fund raising for the WSU athletic department, was chosen from a group of three finalists winnowed from more than 50 applicants.

A 1991 graduate of WSU, where he earned three varsity baseball letters, Crook started his career in the WSU marketing department. He sandwiched three years as WSU’s assistant director of athletic development between stints at the University of Oregon and the University of Nevada/Reno, before rejoining WSU’s athletic department in 2000.

At WSU, Crook spearheaded the fund raising for the Cougars’ indoor practice facility and the renovations of Bailey-Brayton Field.

Crook and wife, Melissa, have three daughters and reside in Pullman.

Volleyball

Eastern Washington University coach Wade Benson announced Thursday that outside hitters Addie Webster and Chrystal Johnson have signed letters of intent to play for the Eagles next season.

Webster, 5-foot-10, was twice named 4A state player of the year while with Jesuit High in Portland. She committed to the Eagles after leading Jesuit to second place at state as a junior, and guided the team to a state championship in 2004.

Johnson, 5-8, played two years at College of Southern Idaho after graduating from Sultana High in Hesperia, Calif.

Men’s tennis

Whitworth coach Mike Shanks was named Northwest Conference coach of the year by his peers.

Shanks, in his sixth season, led the Pirates to fourth place at last weekend’s conference tournament in Yakima.

Men’s basketball

Kansas State University announced that sophomore guard Fred Peete (Pullman High) will transfer to an unnamed school.

Peete started all 29 of the Wildcats’ games last season, averaging 13 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. Peete averaged 25.6 ppg while leading Pullman to second place at the 2003 State 2A tournament.