WCHA Men’s Division Disbands – Saturday Sports Wrap

NMU

Northern Michigan University has introduced the newest members of its Sports Hall of Fame. Members who will be inducted this fall include:
• Frank Hamilla, a two-time captain for the basketball team. Hamilla led the team in scoring in 1958 and 1959.
• Walt Kyle, captain of the hockey team in 1980 and 1981, and later head coach of the Wildcats for 15 seasons.
• Marie (Phillips) Sikkema, a four-time gymnastics All-America honoree in the mid-1980s.
• Glen Sartorelli, an All-American wrestler in the mid-1980s, who later coached at Menominee High School.
• Lori Miller Thurlow, a standout Alpine skier, who placed eighth at the National Ski Championship in 1979.
• The 1981 Football team, which compiled an 11-1 record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

College Hockey

The men’s division of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has officially disbanded. The inevitable end came Thursday, following a decision by representatives of the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which were the only two teams remaining in the league. The WCHA will continue to operate its women’s division. The end of the 70-year-old conference was effectively decided two years ago, when the seven Midwestern members announced they would withdraw after the 2020-2021 season. Those schools, including Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State, have since reconstituted the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, which will begin play this fall. The University of Saint Thomas has also joined the CCHA. The University of Alabama at Huntsville also withdrew from the WCHA. The Chargers’ application to join the new CCHA was denied in May. The program has been suspended, and school officials say it will not continue without a conference affiliation. Alaska Fairbanks plans to compete next season as an independent. Alaska Anchorage has suspended its hockey program.

College Football

The Finlandia University football team has added a new recruit. Parker Dausey was a two-time All-U.P. eight-player honoree at Rapid River, and a member of the Rockets’ state championship team in 2018.

NBA

In NBA tournament play, the Bucks visit the Hawks tonight. Milwaukee leads the Eastern Conference final 3-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as doubtful, after hyperextending a knee in game four.

NHL

In the Stanley Cup championship series last night, the Lightning defeated the Canadiens 6-3. Tampa Bay leads the series 3-0, and could complete a sweep in Montreal Monday night.

MLB

The Chicago White Sox scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning, and defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-2 last night. Casey Mize struggled early, giving up three runs over three innings. He took the loss. The ninth-inning burst came off relievers Bryan Garcia and Buck Farmer.

That series continues in Detroit this afternoon. Tarik Skubal will start against Dallas Keuchel. Coverage begins at 3:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Milwaukee Brewers won their 10th straight game last night, cruising past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. Willy Adames, Jace Peterson and Jackie Bradley, Jr., homered. Adrian Houser pitched into the seventh inning, giving up a run on four hits.

The Brewers continue that series at Pittsburgh this afternoon. Eric Lauer will start for the Crew.

As expected, Milwaukee returned infielder Kolton Wong to the injured list yesterday, as he tries to recover from a calf muscle problem. Utility player Pablo Reyes and pitcher Hoby Milner were called up from Nashville, and pitcher Alec Bettinger was sent down.

NFL

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not opting out of the upcoming season. The deadline for doing so came and went yesterday. Rodgers is involved in a dispute with the club, and has said he wishes to be traded.

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