Sports – Page 625 – North Platte Post Archive

Huskers Host Minnesota Sunday

Posted on January 24, 2014January 24, 2014

The Nebraska basketball team returns to Pinnacle Bank Arena Sunday afternoon, as the Huskers host Minnesota. Tipoff is set for 5:06 p.m. and the game will be carried nationally on BTN (Ch. 610 on DirecTV, Chs. 439 and 9500 on Dish; Chs. 2, 1333 on Time Warner Cable) with Kevin Kugler and Stephen Bardo on the call. The game will also be available online and on mobile devices on BTN2Go.

A limited number of 300 Level tickets are available for Sunday’s game. Those are $10 apiece and can be purchased by calling 1-800-8-BIGRED or (402) 472-3111 or at the Pinnacle Bank Arena Ticket Office beginning 90 minutes prior to tipoff, if available.

Sunday’s game will also be carried across the state on the 27-station Husker Sports Network with Kent Pavelka and Matt Davison calling all of the action, including flagship stations KLIN (1400 AM/94.5 FM) in Lincoln and KFAB (1110 AM) in Omaha (complete list of affiliates is on page five of the game notes). The game can also be heard on Huskers.com and is available on the Huskers’ app on iOS or android devices, as well as Sirius and XM Radio.

As part of Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness weekend, the Husker coaching staff will be in suits and sneakers. In addition, the orange and green ties the Husker staff will wear represents leukemia (orange) and bone marrow awareness (green). UNL students are encouraged to suit up as part of the BTN LiveBIG’s promotion with the student section with the most participation raising $10,000 for the Relay for Life Initiative. All fans will also have a chance to sign up for the Bone Marrow registry, a cause that is close to the Husker staff, as Avery Harriman, the son of assistant coach Chris Harriman was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 2 years old. Avery underwent a bone marrow transplant last year, and is now leukemia free.

The Huskers (9-9, 1-5 B1G) need to rebound quickly after losing in the final minute at Penn StateThursday evening, 58-54. Nebraska, which led by nine in the second half, allowed Penn State to outscore the Huskers 11-4 in the final 2:24 to prevent Nebraska from earning its first road win of the year. The Huskers held Penn State to 35 percent shooting and out-rebounded PSU, 40-35, but 14 turnovers – including three in the final stretch – led to 22 points, a deciding factor in Thursday’s loss.

Nebraska, which has played four of its first six Big Ten games on the road, caps a busy week with its third game since Monday when the Golden Gophers come to town. Minnesota is 15-5 on the year following an 81-68 win over No. 9 Wisconsin on Wednesday.

Huskers Open Practice at Hawks Field

Posted on January 24, 2014

Lincoln – The Nebraska baseball team opened the 2014 season on Friday, as the team had its first official practice of the season. The team was able to get outside at Hawks Field starting at 2:30 p.m., before later moving to the Alex Gordon Training Complex to hit.

Head Coach Darin Erstad and several players met with the media prior to practice to discuss the 2014 season.

“This is three years in a row we’ve been outside in January,” Erstad said. “Our guys have prepared well and put themselves in a situation and succeed.”

For the first time in a while the Huskers have a nucleus of starting pitchers returning in senior Christian DeLeon, junior Kyle Kubat and junior Aaron Bummer.

“If those three are healthy they’ve earned the right to thrown on the weekend,” Erstad said. “They’ve all worked hard to get better and it’s nice to have those guys available.”

The Huskers will continue to practice over the next three weeks, before playing their opening game of the 2014 season on Friday, Feb. 14, in Tempe, Ariz., against Pacific. The Huskers will play four games in three days at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Following Friday’s game with the Tigers, the Huskers are scheduled to play a pair of games on Saturday against 2013 College World Series qualifier Oregon State at Noon and then against Gonzaga at 4 p.m. The Huskers and Zags wrap up the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m.

After playing 10 straight games on the road to start the year, the Huskers open a 10-game home stand on Tuesday, March 4, when the Kansas State Wildcats come to Lincoln for a 1:35 p.m. game.

Board of Regents Approves Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvements

Posted on January 24, 2014

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the project budget for Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvements at its Friday meeting. The $12.3 million project will replace the stadium’s existing sound system and install a wireless network system to improve connectivity.

“We are very appreciative of Chancellor Harvey Perlman’s support and The Board of Regents’ approval of the Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvement Project,” Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst said. “This most important project will install a new sound system and wireless network inside Memorial Stadium. These improvements are designed to provide the best college football fans in America with the best game-day experience possible. It is important that we continually strive to improve our fan experience in each of our athletic venues and this project is a big step in that direction.”

The existing sound system at Memorial Stadium is more than 20 years old, and while still functional, the normal life expectancy of such systems is 15 years. The project will replace the sound system with a new, single-point source sound system housed in the north end zone. Initial design concepts for the sound system call for multiple speaker arrays and cabinets that will be attached to the top and sides of the HuskerVision screen on the roof of the Osborne Athletic Complex.

The new sound system will allow fans in all parts of the stadium to enjoy the full Nebraska football game-day experience, including HuskerVision features, public address announcements and other audio and video features.

Installation of a wireless network system (WiFi) at Memorial Stadium is the second component of the Memorial Stadium Fan Experience Improvement Project. The explosive growth of smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices in the past decade has fueled demand for continuous connectivity. In past years, connectivity and cell phone service at Memorial Stadium has been limited.

The new wireless network system will allow fans better access to Internet applications from their smartphones regardless of carrier or location, which should relieve stress to cellular networks for voice calls and text messaging. Nebraska Athletics plans to develop a new, all-encompassing Memorial Stadium game-day smartphone application that will include video features, dynamic location-based services and an engaging mobile platform.

Additionally, this project will replace the existing flag poles atop North Stadium with taller, larger poles that accommodate larger display flags which will be more visible from both inside and outside the Stadium.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in March and conclude before the start of the 2014 season. Funding for this project comes from premium seating contributions. Nebraska opens the 2014 football season against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30at Memorial Stadium.

No. 21 Huskers Shoot for Sweep at Northwestern Sunday

Posted on January 24, 2014

The No. 21 Nebraska women’s basketball team shoots for a sweep of its first two-game Big Ten series, when the Huskers travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern Sunday afternoon.

Tip-off between the Big Red (13-4, 3-2 Big Ten) and the Wildcats (12-7, 2-4 Big Ten) is set for 4 p.m. (CT) with live radio coverage on the Husker Sports Network, including flagships B107.3 FM in Lincoln and the Wolf 93.3 FM in Omaha. Free live audio is available on Huskers.com and live premium video is available on BTN.com All-Access.The game will not be televised nationally.

Nebraska is coming off a 77-75 last-second loss to nationally ranked Purdue in Lincoln on Sunday. It was the Huskers’ first Big Ten home loss at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game was tied at 75 after a pair of Rachel Theriot free throws with 27.9 seconds left, but Whitney Bays’ putback with 1.7 seconds left allowed Purdue to escape with the win.

Theriot, a 6-0 point guard from Middleburg Heights, Ohio, led the Huskers with 19 points to complete the best week of her career. She captured the first Big Ten Player-of-the-Week award of her career after averaging 26.0 points and 6.5 assists last week, including career highs of 33 points and nine assists in an 88-85 overtime win over Minnesota on Jan. 16.

One of the nation’s top young point guards, Theriot is leading the Huskers in scoring in Big Ten action with 18.6 points per game, while adding 7.0 assists. In the first meeting with Northwestern, Theriot had 19 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals to lead the Huskers to a 66-65 victory on Jan. 2.

Two-time All-American and first-team All-Big Ten forward Jordan Hooper continues to lead the Huskers in scoring and rebounding on the season with 19.5 points and 10.1 boards per game. The 6-2 senior from Alliance, Neb., owns 2,017 points and 982 rebounds in her career. She is 18 boards away from becoming the fifth Big Ten Conference player in history to reach the combined 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound milestones.

Junior Emily Cady is also making a strong case for All-Big Ten honors. The 6-2 forward from Seward, Neb., is averaging 16.4 points and 12.0 rebounds in Big Ten play, with four straight double-doubles.

David and Rick Eckstein Featured at Baseball Coaches Clinic

Posted on January 24, 2014

Lincoln – The 2014 Nebraska Baseball Academy Coaches Clinic will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, and will feature brothers David Eckstein and Rick Eckstein as guest speakers.

The clinic is set to take place from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at both the Hawks Championship Center and the Alex Gordon Training Complex.

This clinic is for high school coaches, college coaches, youth baseball coaches and anyone else that wants to learn more about the game of baseball from the Husker coaching staff.

Nebraska baseball Head Coach Erstad will be joined by Associate Head Coach Will Bolt, Pitching Coach Ted Silva and volunteer assistant Jeff Christy. This group has a wealth of baseball knowledge and it is their goal to help you make your kids better baseball players.

David Eckstein played college baseball for the University of Florida and played professionally as an infielder with the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. David is a two-time World Series Champion (2002 Anaheim Angels, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals) and received the World Series MVP in 2006 with the Cardinals.

Rick Eckstein was recently hired to complete the Angel’s coaching staff; serving as a facilitator of advanced scouting and could also fill the role as assistant hitting coach. Rick also attended the University of Florida and is the former major league hitting coach for the Washington Nationals (2008-2013). He also served as the hitting coach on the US National Baseball Team at the 2008 Olympics.

The price of the one-day clinic is $85 per person, but participants can save $5 by registering online atwww.bigredacademy.com. A continental breakfast and lunch are included in the price.

Hotel rooms have been blocked under Nebraska Baseball Coaches Clinic at the Courtyard by Marriott/Haymarket (402-904-4800) on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at a special rate of $99.00/room.

Tickets to the Nebraska Baseball Banquet on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at the Embassy Suites/Lincoln are also available for $50. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and David Eckstein will be the guest speaker.

February Outdoor Calendar

Posted on January 24, 2014

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in February:

Feb. 1 – Bird banding workshop, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Gretna, 9 a.m., 402-332-3901

Feb. 1 – Animal Run 5K run and 2-mile fun run/walk, Hickman, 10 a.m.,voicenewsnebraska.com

Feb. 1-2 – White-fronted goose hunting season

Feb. 2 – Super Bowl Sunday Mini-Lodge Package, Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca,402-755-2284

Feb. 2 – Super Shopping Bowl, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 402-944-2523

Feb. 8 – Binoculars and Birds, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 9 a.m., 402-944-2523

Feb. 8 – Pheasants Forever State Habitat Meeting, Kearney, 8 a.m., 308-850-8395

Feb. 9 – Dark goose hunting season closes in East, Platte River, Panhandle and Niobrara units

Feb. 9 – Light goose hunting season closes

Feb. 10 – Light Goose Conservation Order hunting begins

Feb. 11-14 – Valentine’s Special, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 402-944-2523

Feb. 12 – Prescribed Burn Training workshop, Red Cloud, Community Center, 142 W. 3rd Ave., 9 a.m., 308-850-8395

Feb. 14-18 – Birds and Breakfast hike and identification workshop, Ponca SP, Ponca, 402-755-2284

Feb. 15 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman self-defense class, Lincoln, 402-471-6009

Feb. 15 – Mountain lion hunting opens in Pine Ridge Unit Season 2

Feb. 22 – Fly Tie-In, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Gretna, 10 a.m., 402-332-3901

Feb. 28 – Cottontail and jackrabbit hunting seasons close

Feb. 28 – Bobcat, raccoon, Virginia opossum, long-tailed weasel, mink, red fox, gray fox and badger hunting and trapping seasons close

Contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org for more information. Visit HuntSafeNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of boating safety classes.

Babe Ruth’s 1923 Series Watch Going to NY Auction

Posted on January 24, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Babe Ruth’s 1923 World Series championship watch, believed lost to history, is coming to a New York City auction.

The pentagonal gold timepiece is expected to fetch at least $750,000 at Heritage Auction’s Feb. 22 sale.

Ruth had the gold timepiece until shortly before his death in 1948, when he gave it to friend Charles Schwefel. Two years later, the watch went to Lewis Fern, Schwefel’s nephew and Ruth’s golf caddy.

In 1988, the watch was sold privately to a sports collector, who’s now selling it.

Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions, says no one knew where the piece had been, since it wasn’t sold publicly.

Ruth had the watch engraved with his name and an inscription to Schwefel. A collectibles expert says that makes it even more valuable.

Aldridge Scores 44, Blazers Beat Nuggets 110-105

Posted on January 24, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge had a career-high 44 points and 13 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied for a 110-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

Wesley Matthews added 24 points for the Blazers (32-11), who snapped a two-game losing streak coming off a 2-2 road trip. The Blazers have not lost three straight this season.

Wilson Chandler had 18 points for Denver (20-21), which has lost four of their last five games after a five-game winning streak.

The Blazers trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter before pulling to 91-90 on Matthews’ turnaround fadeaway before taking the lead on his 15-foot jumper.

The teams wrestled for control, but Aldridge’s jumper put Portland up a 102-99 with 3:08 left.

Chandler missed a jumper with 8 seconds left and Aldridge made more free throws for the final margin.

Champion Bull Bushwacker to Retire at Season’s End

Posted on January 24, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Champion bull Bushwacker will retire at the end of the Professional Bull Riders season.

Bushwacker’s owner, Julio Moreno, said Thursday he wants the 8-year-old bull to retire on top.

Bushwacker will face the most recent cowboy to successfully ride him — reigning world champion J.B. Mauney — Saturday in Oklahoma City. Mauney’s 8-second ride in August in Tulsa ended Bushwacker’s streak of 42 consecutive buckoffs dating to 2009.

Moreno, says Bushwacker is to bulls what Michael Jordan was to basketball, but he said Mauney’s fearless approach always gives him a chance. As No. 1 in their respective ranks, they will meet for the 12th time.

Bushwacker will make his final appearance Oct. 22-26 in the world championships in Las Vegas.

4 First-Timers Voted to Start NBA All-Star Game

Posted on January 24, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Paul George and Kyrie Irving have all been voted NBA All-Stars, putting four first-time starters in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans.

Kobe Bryant was elected by fans to his 16th All-Star game, second-most in NBA history, but this one is shaping up as a kids’ game.

Curry, perhaps the biggest snub last season, will join him in the Western Conference backcourt. Love passed Dwight Howard in the final days of voting and will start in the frontcourt along with Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin.

LeBron James was the leading vote-getter with 1.4 million votes and Miami teammate Dwyane Wade was also voted in Thursday. George, who has led Indiana to the league’s best record, and New York’s Carmelo Anthony are the other East forwards, and Irving will start at guard.