YSU

YSU

Butler Horizon favorite

INDIANAPOLIS — Butler was a near-unanimous favorite to win the Horizon League men’s basketball championship in the preseason poll.

The Bulldogs were picked by 42 of the 46 voters. Butler collected 456 of a possible 460 points, well ahead of defending league champion Wright State (354). Wisconsin-Green Bay finished third with 333 points, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (325) was fourth, followed by Loyola (264), Valparaiso (227), Detroit (201), Illinois-Chicago (171), Cleveland State (118) and Youngstown State (81).

In the women’s poll UKW-Milwaukke was picked as the preseason favorite with 253 points and 13 first place votes.

Wisconsin-Green Bay, the 2006-07 regular season and tournament champion, follows Milwaukee in the poll with the Phoenix collecting 244 points. Butler (238 points) and Illinois-Chicago (176 points) finished third and fourth, respectively. Valparaiso (152 points), YSU (118 points), Wright State (104 points), Cleveland State (102 points), Detroit Mercy (78 points) and Loyola (75 points) round out the poll.

LOCAL

Fitch Hall of Fame

AUSTINTOWN — The inaugural Austintown Fitch Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies are being scheduled.

Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.fitchhof.com and from the Austintown Local School District’s Web site.

For questions call Tim Kelty at 797-3900, ext. 1048.

Mooney tickets

YOUNGSTOWN — Tickets for Friday’s game at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary will be on sale Cardinal Mooney’s school office from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Both teams are 7-0.

Brittany McKee
chosen for honor

WEXFORD, Pa. — Westminster College’s Brittany McKee of Hubbard has been selected as Studen-Athlete Advisory Committee Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September.

McKee, a senior soccer defender, anchors a defense that posted six shutouts during the month while guiding the Titans to a 8-2-2 record in September.

She maintains a 3.64 grade-point-average whjile majoring in speech communication.

•WEXFORD, Pa. — Grove City athletes earned weekly honors from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Andrew DiDonato is the PAC football Offensive Player of the Week while goalkeeper Michael Manahan is the men’s soccer Defensive Player of the Week.

In women’s cross country, junior Kristen Carter earned her second straight PAC Runner of the Week honor.

Phantoms in showcase

FRISCO, Texas — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will participate in the second NAHL Midget Showcase Series Dec. 13-16 at The Summit Center in Chesterfield, Mo.

Zuppo to reveal
‘Seymour’ identity

GIRARD — Mark Zuppo, Girard’s public address announcer, will reveal the subject of his sign-off message at the conclusion of Friday’s home football game against LaBrae.

“Good night, Seymour, wherever you are,” has been Zuppo’s signature conclusion at the end of home games for the past 11 years.

Zuppo said the idea began when he first took over the PA duties.

At the time, he’d kiddingly say hello to young children and ask them, “What’s your name, Seymour?”

Most, of course, would say “No” but one girl responded “Yes.”

In return, Zuppo promised to acknowledge her at Girard’s season opener in September, 1997.

At the time, when he attempted to say “Good night, Seymour,” he peaked out of the pressbox, but didn’t spot the girl. He then finished his statement, with “wherever, you are.”

After Girard’s final home game tonight, Zuppo said the girl, now a senior, will be introduced.

“I’m going to have her standing on the track.”

Zuppo said he already has a new Seymour picked out for the coming years.

Area ace

GIRARD — Larry Steiner aced 150-yard No. 4 hole at Mahoning Country Club with a 7-iron. Witnesses were Bob Reed and Mike Simeone.