Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Schlegel opts to play basketball in Germany
Former Youngstown State women’s basketball player Heidi Schlegel will continue her basketball career as a professional for the top league in Germany.
Schlegel, who was a first-team All-Horizon League selection to past two years, will play for the Angels of the BG Donau-Ries Club of the Bundesliga. The Angels are located in N ∂rdlingen, Germany, and had a 14-8 record last season.
“I am excited to join the Donau-Ries Angels and continue my basketball career,” Schlegel said. “The coach’s basketball and life philosophy is similar to mine, so I am looking forward to adding to the club and continuing to build the successes of the team. I am eager to learn the German language and culture and become a part of the N ∂rdlingen community. I am very appreciative of all those who have supported and pushed me throughout the past 10 years and the Donau-Ries Angels for giving me the opportunity to continue my basketball career.”
Jackets assistant GM takes job with Colorado
COLUMBUS
Assistant general manager Chris MacFarland is leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the same position with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche confirmed the hiring on Monday.
MacFarland originally joined the Blue Jackets in 1999 and served as the club’s manager of hockey operations from 2001-07. He was promoted to assistant to the general manager in July 2007 and a year later was named the club’s assistant general manager.
With the Blue Jackets, MacFarland assisted the club in all hockey-related matters including scouting, player contract research and negotiations, salary cap management and arbitration, collective bargaining agreement administration, budgeting and team scheduling issues. He also oversaw hockey operations efforts of the club’s minor league affiliates.
Michigan considers $168M sports complex
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
The athletic department at the University of Michigan is seeking approval to move forward with a proposed $168 million Division I Olympic sports complex in Ann Arbor.
On Thursday, the Board of Regents is expected to consider a schematic design of the 280,000-square-foot facility known as the Stephen M. Ross Athletic South Competition and Performance Project. The complex will house men’s and women’s track and field, cross country and women’s rowing, with an indoor and outdoor track competition venue.
Illinois hoops coach leaves amid claims
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.
A week after the Illinois football staff faced accusations of mistreating a player, the school says it has also looked into concerns raised by parents of women’s basketball players that preceded the departure of an assistant coach.
Spokeswoman Robin Kaler said Monday that assistant coach Mike Divilbiss and the university “had agreed to part ways.”
Kaler says the university looked into allegations in April made by three unidentified players’ parents and found no violations of laws, NCAA rules or university policies. Those allegations included concerns about one player’s medical treatment.
49ers DL Justin Smith retires after 14 seasons
SANTA CLARA, Calif.
San Francisco 49ers star defensive lineman Justin Smith is retiring.
Smith announced his decision on Monday in just the latest blow to the 49ers this offseason.
Two other defensive stars have also retired in linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. Coach Jim Harbaugh is also gone, along with running back Frank Gore, guard Mike Iupati, receiver Michael Crabtree and cornerback Chris Culliver.
Smith played 14 seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the first round by Cincinnati in 2001. After seven seasons with the Bengals, he signed as a free agent in San Francisco and had his best success in seven years with the 49ers.
Staff/Wire reports