Shaw Fights Mother Nature Before Post-Season

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Shaw University's softball team was about to head to their post-season tournament at Virginia State, but they had to deal with Mother Nature's after-effects first...

It was a sobering reminder of how fortunate we all are sometimes...

Softball Player killed after a Tournament...

((ht: cincinnati enquirer))

The star player on a Northern Kentucky men's Softball team was killed over the weekend in front of a restaurant near the tournament his team had just finished playing in Louisville, Kentucky.

The leftfielder for the Northern Kentucky "Good Guys", Bryan Stevenson was assaulted by four men who were causing trouble with his friends outside of Barbara Lee's Kitchen in Louisville.

The newspaper story from the Cincinnati Enquirer is RIGHT HERE

((Bryan Stevenson photo//Courtesy: wlwt.com))

According to reports, Stevenson went to help his friends when the four men jumped him.

The Louisville area men, Donald W. Hays; David A. Pryor; Justin M. Werner; and William L. Schindler are being charged with murder and assault.

More on the story from WHAS-TV in Louisville:

Thursday Dickinson Softball Update

((HT: KFYR-TV/Bismarck Tribune))

Teammates and family members threw roses and softballs Wednesday into the farm pond where three North Dakota college softball players were found dead inside their sunken sport utility vehicle.

Senior softball player Jody Lantz of St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, said she and fellow students came to the pond Wednesday "to understand it a little more, wrap our heads around it.''

"It's going to be weird going onto the field and knowing that they're never going to be there,'' Lantz said.

Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said the women's SUV was found resting on its wheels Tuesday in about 10 feet of water with the doors and windows closed.

"When you're not familiar with an area like that it would have been very easy to drive into'' the pond, Tuhy said.

The sheriff said the students were on private property. He stopped short of saying they were trespassing.

Dickinson State University President Richard McCallum said classes were canceled Wednesday and a memorial service was scheduled on the 2,700-student campus Thursday. The Dickinson State staff distributed ribbons in school colors - dark blue and silver - in memory of the three students.

Here's KFYR-TV's coverage from Retha Colclasure on site with the team...

Dickinson State Softballers Found Dead

((HT: KFYR-TV/Bismarck, ESPN))

Police say three missing North Dakota college softball players have been found dead in their vehicle, which was pulled from a pond northwest of Dickinson.

Police Lt. Rod Banyai said Tuesday night that police are "still investigating" the cause of the deaths.

Authorities have been searching since Sunday night for Kyrstin Gemar, 22, of San Diego; Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; and Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba.

The Dickinson State University students were said to be in a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee with California plates when they were last heard from in calls made to two friends on cell phones before the lines went dead.

Here's how the news broke on NBC5
Andrew Keller was on the telephone with the studio...


Police described the first as a "very scratchy" call for help in which one of the women said they were near a lake and water.

Students at Dickinson State, where the women were stars on the school's softball team, led a prayer service Monday night that drew more than 300 people. Another service was scheduled at the 2,700-student school for Tuesday night.

"We are very deeply saddened by this turn of events and we are going to mobilize all of our resources to work with the families and the students on campus," Dickinson State spokeswoman Constance Walter said. "They will be greatly missed by their teammates and others."

The college lists Gemar as a senior business major who played third base on the softball team. Neufeld is a senior outfielder who was working on a degree in psychology, and Williamson, a junior, was a pitcher majoring in psychology with a minor in coaching.

Gov. John Hoeven issued a statement extending sympathy to the families and appreciation to those who participated in the search, "which ended in a way we all prayed it wouldn't."

Gemar's father spoke to KFYR after a Tuesday morning news conference...

WCU/Furman Softbrawl

They, obviously, don't call it the Southern Conference for nothin'...

The mom for WCU 3B, Stephanie Beatty, starts it at the 20-second mark...
Down low... enjoy...
((HT: Brooks))

Colorado College Cuts 3 Sports

Football, softball, and water polo...

From the desk of President Richard Celeste...
The college’s decision is the culmination of hundreds of hours of research and evaluation by members of the athletic department, athletic board (including four faculty members), students, senior staff, and the Board of Trustees. It was not made in haste. It is intended to allow the athletic department to live within the available budget while providing the necessary resources to ensure that the remaining 17 programs are strong.

This move affects 76 students on campus, 54 men and 22 women. The choice of these three sports came down to competitive success, conference affiliation, available facilities, fundraising success (or endowment earnings), roster size, and recruiting success. It was also critical to follow all applicable federal regulations. This change actually will bring CC more closely into compliance with Title IX Gender Equity legislation, an important aspect of any decision involving athletic programs.

This step will be very upsetting for the young men and women affected, and they will need your support. We hope many will choose to continue their academic careers at Colorado College. We recognize, however, that some students may decide to transfer, and we pledge our full support in their efforts to select a new academic and athletic opportunity.

Colorado College is not the only school reducing the number of varsity offerings. In recent weeks schools including Johns Hopkins, Pepperdine, Quinnipiac, Wagner, Principia, Blackburn, and Agnes Scott have all announced cuts. This problem has also hit at the state school level: Western Washington, The University of Vermont, and Northern Iowa, among others, have announced significant cuts to their athletics departments. It is also clear from speaking with our colleagues at other schools that they are likewise considering reductions in programs.

Here's coverage from Lee Douglas and KOAA-TV 5/30...
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