Indians restructure front office

The Spokane Indians short-season Class A baseball team Tuesday announced several staff changes among its senior management.

Otto Klein, formerly the vice president-sponsorships has been promoted to senior vice president. Chris Duff, who has served as the assistant general manager-operations, has been promoted to vice president and general manager.

Paul Barbeau, vice president and general manager for the past eight seasons, has accepted a position as president and general manager of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, which will build a new stadium and operate a minor league team in Midland, Mich. Barbeau will leave the Indians at the end of this month.

In his most recent position with the Indians, Klein has overseen all sponsorship sales, promotions and advertising. As senior vice president, Klein will continue with his previous duties and add public/media relations to his duties.

As assistant general manager–operations, Duff has overseen all stadium operations and managed the game-day staff. As VP and GM, Duff will oversee stadium operations, tickets and concessions, and serve as the main contact with the Texas Rangers, Spokane’s major league affiliate.

Tennis

Washington State sophomore Ekaterina Burduli was named Pacific-10 Conference Player of the Week for March 13-19 – the first such honor for the Cougars program.

Burduli, from Israel, had victories in matches against Iowa State and Wyoming and a victory over an Ohio State opponent at the Newport Beach tournament.

Golf

Deer Park Golf Club has opened on all permanent greens.

“Mark Gardner and Mark Poirier of The Creek at Qualchan tied for seventh in the Farwest E-Z-GO Pro-Assistant Championship at Portland Golf Club with a score of 139 to win $840.

Craig Schuh and Luke Baker of Deer Park GC were at 141 and won $512.50.

The winners were Bryan Tunstill and Adrian Burtner of Columbia Edgewater GC at 132 for first-prize money of $2,500.

Football

Offensive lineman Hank Therien, a three-year starter at the University of Idaho, has left the team for personal reasons, tight end coach Jason Eck said.

Idaho opens spring drills Saturday.

Offensive lineman Desmond Clark, who has been bothered by recurring migraine headaches, has quit the team to focus on academics. “It was negatively affecting his football and school, so he decided to concentrate on school,” Eck said.