The Herald continues to cover Topper sports like no one else. Find our latest coverage at wkuherald.com/sports.
We’ll maintain this blog as an archive of our coverage between January 2009 to August 2010.
Author Archives: chhtoppertalk
WKU Luncheon Live Blog
Filed under Uncategorized
Latest WKU-Nebraska TV info
By Jonathan Lintner
WKUSports.com put out a release Sunday morning detailing which providers will be offering pay-per-view for this Saturday’s WKU-Nebraska football game.
The game will be produced by Fox Sports and is available nationally on DirecTV and Dish Network. But while a plethora of Nebraska cable companies will also offer the game, Insight Cable from Kentucky isn’t on the list.
The release said Ron Thulin will call the play-by-play, with Richard Baldinger as analyst and Brent Stover as sideline reporter.
Suggested retail price for the game, according to the release, is $39.95. That should (not) bode well for ratings considering you can get season tickets to WKU games and have enough left over for concessions for $40.
Filed under Football
Some WKU sports Friday afternoon notes
A Nebraska connection
Check out this interesting link from the Omaha World Herald. It talks about Head Coach Willie Taggart’s connection to Tommie Frazier of Nebraska.
Frazier preceded Taggart as quarterback at Manatee High School (Fla.) And in timely fashion, Manatee’s showdown with Plant High School (Fla.) is featured tonight as part of ESPN’s High School Football Kick Off. The game begins at 6 p.m.
We’ll get some comments from coach Taggart and see how closely he’ll be watching tonight’s game at today’s practice.
Dasher suspended
Multiple sources reported earlier today that Middle Tennessee quarterback Dwight Dasher — essentially the best player in the Sun Belt Conference entering this season — will be suspended for the Blue Raiders’ first four games of the season.
The news was broken with a statement by MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro.
While there are a lot of sides to the story involving student-athlete Dwight Dasher, all parties agree that there was a $1,500 loan. Therefore, due to a violation of the NCAA amateurism legislation, we are declaring Dwight Dasher ineligible for competition but will be seeking his reinstatement. While we are seeking reinstatement, Dasher will be allowed to practice. It is anticipated that Dasher will miss some competition.
Click her to read the full story from the Daily News Journal in Tennessee, which includes Massaro’s complete statement.
Local lineman offered by Western
Chad Bishop, preps reporter for the Bowling Green Daily News, said on his blog today that Joe Manley has been offered by Taggart after watching the Bowling Green High School football team last Saturday.
Bishop’s blog has some great information on Bowling Green-area prospects. Check it out here.
Don’t call him Sherry
Former Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Jason Chery — now a Green Bay Packer — made a name for himself last night with a punt return against the Indianapolis Colts.
What’s on tap
The Western volleyball team begins its season today on the road at Purdue, and the women’s soccer team will look for its first first win Friday at Ole Miss before playing its home opener this Sunday.
The penultimate fall camp session for the Topper football team takes place this afternoon. Look for reports on that later from our beat writer, Zach Greenwell, and find us at tomorrow’s Family Fun Day.
-Jonathan Lintner
Filed under Uncategorized
Volleyball projected third in East; Elmore named to All-SBC team
By Emily Patton
Although Head Coach Travis Hudson said he doesn’t like to look at the preseason polls, it is something that he will use as a fuel for his athletes.
The Lady Toppers volleyball team was voted to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference East Division by SBC coaches, the league announced Thursday.
Junior Tiffany Elmore was also named to the preseason All-SBC Team.
Western received 51 points and one first-place vote. The Lady Tops were picked to finish behind Middle Tennessee, ranked first with 65 points and six first-place votes and Florida International, who finished with 63 points and five first-place votes.
“I’m not completely surprised,” Hudson said. “Both teams that finished in front of us were those who beat us last year, but they both took significant hits from graduation.”
According to Hudson, the polls are heavily based on last year’s performances, including the reason behind Elmore’s place on the preseason team.
“Tiffany played so strongly for us last year, so it just makes sense we see her on here again,” Hudson said. “She is an all-conference caliber type of player.”
Elmore is the only returning Lady Topper who was named on the All-SBC team in 2009. In last year’s play, she posted a .331 hitting percentage in 114 sets, 94 blocks, and ranked second on the team with 265 kills.
“As the season goes on, you’ll see more Lady Toppers show up on that list,” Hudson said.
Western’s season kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday against Purdue on the Boilermakers’ home court in West Lafayette, Ind., as part of the Mortar Board Premier tournament.
PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL
EAST
1. Middle Tennessee – 66 points (6 first place votes)
2. FIU – 63 points (5 first place votes)
3. WKU – 51 points (1 first place vote)
4. Troy – 28 points
5. Florida Atlantic, South Alabama – 22 points
WEST
1. Denver – 68 points (8 first place votes)
2. Arkansas State – 57 points (4 first place votes)
3. UALR – 47 points
4. North Texas – 43 points
5. Louisiana-Lafayette – 24 points
6. Louisiana-Monroe – 13 points
PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Natalia Valentin, FIU
Izabela Kozon, Middle Tennessee
Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State
Jovana Bjelica, FIU
Stacy Oladinni, Middle Tennessee
Maria Szivos, Middle Tennessee
Tiffany Elmore, WKU
Kacie Wikierak, Denver
Filed under Volleyball
Andrews practicing Wednesday with WKU football team
By Jonathan Lintner
I’m out at Western’s Wednesday football practice, where Antonio Andrews — a former Fort Campbell star — is practicing with the team and has been cleared by the NCAA.
Andrews was working as a running back with the second team offense and true freshman quarterback Brandon Doughty.
Mark Santoro made a comment to another player on the sidelines regarding Andrews’ speed already.
We’ll have more after practice on Andrews, as Head Coach Willie Taggart can now officially comment on the situation.
Filed under Football
Rice, Davis will return to WKU baseball team
By Jonathan Lintner
Just a note I passed over once the MLB signing deadline passed, but pitcher Rye Davis (now a junior) and catcher Matt Rice (a senior) will return to play for Western after not signing contracts this past summer.
Davis was selected by the Cleveland Indians with the fifth pick of the 36th round, and Rice was taken by the New York Yankees as the last pick in the 50th round — also the last pick of the draft.
This was confirmed by Michael Schroeder, Western’s baseball SID last season.
Mike Mosby, a junior college recruit of Western’s, was selected in the 14th round of the draft by the Baltimore Orioles and signed with that organization. Justin Hageman, a Hopkinsville High School product, heard his name called by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd round but did not sign and will play at Western this season.
Former Topper second baseman Matt Payton signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, pitcher Matt Ridings with the Royals and pitcher Bart Carter with the Minnesota Twins.
Filed under Baseball
WKU volleyball scrimmage notes
By Emily Patton
I just left the Lady Topper volleyball scrimmage in Diddle Arena’s auxiliary gym.
The team faced off six on six, rotating players in and out on either side of the net, but had one key player missing.
Sophomore Jordyn Skinner, last year’s starter who led the team in kills, sat on the sidelines after being injured in last Friday’s practice. Skinner went down awkwardly on her left ankle and will miss the entirety of this week’s practice. She is expected to miss the next two weeks.
Head Coach Travis Hudson said Skinner is “extremely unlikely to play this weekend” as well.
With the absence of Skinner, Hudson said today and tomorrow’s performances at practice will tell him who he will start in her place.
His options are freshmen middle hitters Lindsay Spears and Janee’ Diggins, who he hopes to “plug holes” to fill Skinner’s offensive hitting role.
Hudson gathered the team around after their first scrimmage set to encourage those same freshmen to have fun, give more energy and be more passionate while playing.
“We just want you to go out and play,” Hudson said. “There is no pressure on you because you’re freshmen. You can screw up as long as you screw up with brilliance.”
When Western goes to play top teams this weekend in Purdue and Northern Iowa, Hudson already plans to start two freshmen — Melanie Stutsman at setter and Ashley Potts at defensive specialist — along with seniors Emily Teegarden and Kelly Potts.
Look for a preview story on the Lady Toppers later at wkuherald.com.
Filed under Volleyball
Monday links and video
Vow of silence: WKU’s O-line tight-lipped until losing streak snapped
Notebook: Running back Rainey not to be tackled during practice
In-state basketball recruit Hammond has WKU on her radar
Filed under Uncategorized
What we’ve missed and why
This is Jonathan Lintner, sports editor at the Herald this fall.
The plan leaving class last May was to have a new Herald website up and running for this school year, but since it’s not the school year yet, the site isn’t finished. Even though we never planned to use this blog again (and ceased posting), it’s back — at least for a few weeks.
So throughout the WKU football team’s fall camp, this is where Zach Greenwell, this year’s football beat writer (and former women’s hoops writer) will post his daily reports.
Practice (and posting) begins Monday with a 6 p.m. practice. The football team’s media day is Tuesday. Look for any breaking news this semester on the Herald’s main site, wkuherald.com, and follow the Herald sports staff on Twitter by clicking here.
In the meantime, we’ve missed a lot. Here are some links from stuff we missed via WKUsports.com and Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News.
Aug. 6: AD Ross Bjork’s announces personnel changes
Aug. 5: WKU to face Minnesota in opening round of Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Aug. 5: Swimmer Donahue finishes eighth at national championships
Aug. 5: Mullins added to softball staff
Aug. 3: Two don’t qualify for WKU football team
Aug. 2: Football Tops to play LSU in 2011
July 31: Nick B’s basketball recruiting roundup
July 27: Anthony Winchester to take high school head coaching spot in Indiana
July 20: A.J. Slaughter signs with Italian League team
July 20: Sun Belt media day two
July 19: Sun Belt media day one
June 14: Duane Hall tabbed as new WKU strength coach
July 10: Allen Edwards named assistant men’s basketball coach
June 30: Jordan Swing won’t return to WKU hoops team
June 27: WKU men’s basketball adds walk on
June 25: Evans selected by Utah Jazz with NBA Draft’s 55th pick
June 9: Payton selected on day two of MLB First-Year Players Draft
June 9: Four more Toppers hear names called in MLB Draft
Filed under Uncategorized
