SPORTS DIGEST || North Dakota football joining Missouri Valley

North Dakota football joining Missouri Valley

GRAND FORKS, N.D.

The University of North Dakota is moving its basketball teams to the Summit League and its football team to the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The programs currently compete in the Big Sky Conference. UND President Mark Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison say the move to the Summit League in 2018 and to the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2020 will cut down on travel and renew rivalries, such as with North Dakota State.

The Big Sky issued a statement saying it understands and supports UND’s decision.

UND’s cross country, track, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball programs also will move to the Summit League.

UND’s powerhouse men’s hockey program will remain in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

LeBron honored as Cleveland’s top athlete

CLEVELAND

LeBron James has had a rough 2017 so far.

On Thursday night, he got another trophy for making history last year.

James, who made good on his promise to win a championship for his home state, was named professional athlete of the year at the Greater Cleveland Sports awards after leading the Cavaliers to the city’s first title in 52 years.

The superstar ended Cleveland’s title drought and inspired n entire region by helping the Cavs storm back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals to stun the Golden State Warriors, who won 73 games in the regular season but couldn’t complete their unprecedented season with a crown.

James did not attend the star-studded event held at the Renaissance Hotel downtown, and he also did not accept his award via video as he’s done after winning at past events.

It’s been a strange, tumultuous week for James, who publicly criticized the Cavs’ roster and questioned Cleveland management’s commitment to winning a second title.

The Cavs have dropped six of eight, including consecutive losses to New Orleans and Sacramento, two teams with sub-.500 records.

Cleveland has lost three in a row and is 5-7 in January.

The highlight of this year’s event was former Indians manager Mike Hargrove receiving a lifetime achievement award. Hargrove, who guided the Indians to two World Series appearances in the 1990s, was joined on stage by Jim Thome, Sandy Alomar and Chad Ogea, three key members of those Cleveland teams that dominated the AL but didn’t win the Series.

Hargrove played for the Indians from 1979-85, traded to Cleveland from Texas.

Current Indians manager Terry Francona was also recognized after leading the Indians to an AL pennant last year and their first World Series since 1997.

Hearings begin for suspended UM players

MINNEAPOLIS

Ten Minnesota football players suspended for their alleged involvement in a sexual assault faced a panel of university employees on Thursday and today in an attempt to avoid expulsion and other punishments recommended by the school’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office.

The players have denied any wrongdoing and remain enrolled.

The hearing stems from an incident in September, when a woman alleged she was pressured into having sex with multiple players at an apartment.

Authorities twice declined to charge any of the players, citing a lack of evidence.

But the school conducted a Title IX investigation, which carries a lower burden of proof.

The investigation concluded that the players violated the student conduct code and recommended expulsion for Ray Buford Jr., Carlton Djam, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson; one-year suspensions for Seth Green, Kobe McCrary, Mark Williams and Antoine Winfield, Jr.; and probation for Antonio Shenault.

Associated Press