College football
Duluth picked to win NSIC
The Division II defending national champion is the preseason favorite to win the Northern Sun Interscholastic Conference this year.
The Bulldogs received nine first-place votes and edged Minnesota State-Mankato for the top spot. The Mavericks received five first-place votes. Augustana was picked to finish third, and St. Cloud State and Wayne State were picked fourth.
Bemidji State was picked ninth, MSU-Moorhead 12th and Minnesota-Crookston 14th.
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Men's hockey
CCHA rejects Huntsville
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association has denied Alabama-Huntsville's application for admission into the league.
Huntsville, which applied in January and received a site visit in June, will be without a conference after the 2009-10 season. Its current league, College Hockey America, is disbanding. Every other CHA member has found a home for 2010-11.
The CCHA will drop from 12 to 11 teams for the 2010-11 season because Nebraska-Omaha is moving to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
"The league completed its due diligence of the application for membership submitted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville with careful consideration and discussion of various issues," CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos said in a statement. "At this time, we have chosen to maintain our membership at its current level.
"The CCHA will remain focused on maintaining and strengthening our existing members to ensure the conference's continued success and long-term viability."
Women's hockey
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Drennen hired as UND's interim assistant
Courtney Drennen, who backstopped Mercyhurst to the national championship game last season, has been hired as UND's interim assistant coach.
Drennen will temporarily replace Grant Kimball, who left to be associate coach at Vermont, where he will be closer to his ailing father.
A national search will be conducted next summer, while Drennen is likely to remain on staff in a volunteer capacity.
"Courtney has great qualifications, and we are excited to be able to bring in somebody of her caliber in such a short notice," UND head coach Brian Idalski said. "She has a lot of playing experience, and her enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport will be a great addition to the staff."
Drennen will be asked to work with UND's three goalies, who all have potential to be the No. 1 this season. She finished her career in the spring with a .927 save percentage and a 1.42 goals-against average.
Radio
Leighton Broadcasting launches sports station
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Fox Sports Radio will be broadcast on 1590 AM in Grand Forks, Leighton Broadcasting announced Tuesday morning.
The format switched from a classic country station -- The Rooster -- on Monday.
Fox Sports Radio's big-named hosts include Steve Czaban, Dan Patrick, Jim Rome and Tony Bruno.
Golf
All-city tournaments set
The Grand Forks men's and seniors all-city tournaments have been set for late August.
The 45-hole men's tournament will be held Aug. 22-23 with 27 holes being played on the opening day and 18 on the final day. Rounds of 18 will be played at King's Walk and the Grand Forks Country Club and a round of nine will be played at Valley.
The 54-hole seniors tournament (55 and older) will be held Aug. 26-28. Rounds of 18 will be played each day at King's Walk, Grand Forks Country Club and Valley. Awards will be given by gross scores in each flight and net scores in each age division.
The entry fee is $50 for the men's tournament and $40 for the seniors. Entry forms are available at all participating golf courses.
Briefly
- College softball: Keyana Smith has been named coach at Mayville State. Smith most recently served as a prep coach in Sacramento, Calif.
- College volleyball: Concordia-St. Paul has been picked to win the NSIC, earning 13 of 14 first-place votes. Bemidji State is picked to finish 11th and Minnesota-Crookston 13th.
