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

Locally

Compiled from staff, wire and news service reports The Spokesman-Review

Three area players in academic semis

Three football players from area schools are among 184 semifinalists nationwide named for the 2005 Draddy Trophy, considered by many to be the “academic Heisman.”

Washington State tight end Troy Bieneman, Eastern Washington linebacker Joey Cwik from Mead and Whitworth kicker Cam Collings, also from Mead, are in the running for the prestigious award, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced.

“The Draddy epitomizes everything right about college football,” NFF president Steven Hatchell said in a press release.

Semifinalists are selected from candidates nominated by their schools and come from all four NCAA divisions and the NAIA. They must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a 3.0 grade-point average or better, be a regular contributor to their team and a leader on and off the field.

This year’s semifinalists all have GPAs of 3.5 or better, the NFF announced. The group will be pared to 15 finalists and announced Oct. 27. The winner will be announced Dec. 6 at the NFF awards dinner in New York City and receive a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship and 25-pound bronze trophy.

Administration

North Idaho College athletic director Al Williams was selected to be a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association standing committee for women’s Division I basketball.

In his role, Williams, the assistant regional director for women’s sports in Region 18, will be responsible for enforcing NJCAA compliance rules and assist with All-America team selections.

Baseball

The Spokane AAA Blue Devils American Legion team is looking for a head coach for the 2006 season.

Interested applicants should contact Dennis Thompson at 624-5789.

“Former Gonzaga University player and assistant coach Gary Van Tol has returned to the Bulldogs for his second coaching stint, head coach Mark Machtolf announced.

Van Tol replaces Scott Asan, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

Van Tol, an assistant at the University of Portland the last three years, where he was pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, completed his playing career at GU in 1990, earning first-team All-Pac-10 North honors. He was an assistant at GU from 1991-93 before leaving to pursue other coaching opportunities.

Matt Dorey, assistant head coach at Mt. Hood Community College the last three years, has joined Washington State as a volunteer assistant coach, Cougars coach Donnie Marbut announced.

Dorey, who played two seasons with Marbut at Portland State, will coach first base as well as work with outfielders and catchers. He also will organize on-campus visits for recruits and run individual camps on the WSU campus, Marbut said.

“Community Colleges of Spokane will hold its first alumni game Oct. 29 at Fort Wright.

An alumni team will play the 2005-06 Sasquatch, CCS coach Dave Keller announced.

Former Sasquatch, whether they want to play or not, are encouraged to contact CCS coaches. Besides the game, there will be a social get-together afterward.

Info: Keller, 533-3390 or davek@spokanefalls.edu; Keith Snyder, 533-3645 or keiths@spokanefalls.edu; or Tony Byrne, 533-3639 or tonyb@spokanefalls.edu.

Basketball

The Mark Rypien Foundation, which helps support local activities and research associated with children with cancer, will benefit from proceeds generated from the annual Shadle Park High School boys basketball alumni game Dec. 23.

Games will be played from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost to participate is $30, which includes a game and T-shirt, said Shadle boys coach Tim Gaebe.

Interested alumni should contact Gaebe at 354-6783 or timg@spokaneschools.org.

College scene

For the second time in four weeks, former Mt. Spokane kicker Dan Kleckner, a junior on the Montana Tech football team, was selected the Frontier Conference special teams player of the week.

Kleckner earned the honor last week after setting a school record with a 55-yard field goal in a 23-18 win over Montana State-Northern.

Kleckner, who also kicked two of three extra points and averaged 65 yards on six kickoffs, nailed the record kick against a stiff crosswind in the third quarter. The ball hooked through the uprights with several yards to spare, the league reported.

“Maine junior Shelly Seipp of Spokane (Rogers) was named America East Conference co-setter of the week in volleyball last week after dishing out 79 assists in a pair of 3-0 sweeps the previous weekend.

Seipp, who has 499 assists this season to lead the team, also had six digs, two block assists, one solo block and two service aces.

“ Yale freshman Ellie Brophy, a 2004 graduate of Gonzaga Prep, shot 74-75 for a 9-over-par 149 to finish second in the Yale Fall Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament last weekend.

Job fair

The sixth annual Sports Career Seminar and Job Fair will be held in the Spokane Arena on Nov. 4, Bretts Sports and Entertainment, which puts on the event, announced.

Professional sports teams from throughout the west are expected to attend, interviewing and hiring.

In addition, there will be panel discussions and guest speakers giving insights into sports management as a career. The event is designed for not just college seniors and recent graduates, but anyone interested in a career in sports management.

“The hardest thing about getting started in the sports business is just getting your foot in the door,” said Bobby Brett, owner of five professional sports teams and president of the sponsoring organization.

Jobs expected to be posted include positions in marketing, sales, promotions, public relations, food service and internships.

Cost is $75 and includes access to all activities during the all-day event, lunch, and a ticket to the Spokane Chiefs hockey game that night.

To register or for additional information, call (509) 328-0540 extension 310 or email abuck@spokanechiefs.com.

Wrestling

The first meeting of the year for the Inland Empire Wrestling Officials Association will be Oct. 17 at West Valley High School.

Anyone interested in becoming a wrestling official should join returning officials at the meeting.

“We are always in need of new officials,” said IEWOA board member Rich Tschirgi.

He said rulebooks will be handed out and rules gone over that night.

Info: Mike Sullivan, 467-3036, to leave a message.