Baseball Players Hit the Majors

Two former NIU baseball players, Bobby Stevens and Trevor Feeney, have been assigned to rookie league clubs since being selected in the MLB draft last month.

Stevens, a 16th round pick by Baltimore, has been assigned to rookie level Bluefield of the Appalachian League. As of June 29, Stevens was hitting .250 in 32 at-bats.

Feeney, a 31st round pick by Detroit, has been assigned to Class A-Short Season Oneonta of the New York-Penn League. Feeney has made three appearances while pitching 7 1/3 innings with a 6.14 ERA.

Football Players Get Pre-season Recognition

Several Huskie football players have been tabbed for preseason awards. Defensive end Larry English is projected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year by MAC Report Online.

English, the 2007 MAC MVP, is also listed on the All-MAC first team. English is joined on the first team by offensive tackle John Brost. Running back Justin Anderson made the second team.

Phil Steele’s 2008 College Football Preview lists both English and Anderson on its preseason

All-MAC first team. Safety Alex Kube, guard Justin Onyebuagu, defensive tackle Craig Rusch, and linebacker Tim McCarthy were named to the second team.

Steele listed NIU on his “most improved list” and as a surprise team in the MAC west. The Huskies open up the 2008 season on August 30 when they travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota.

Track and Field Star Raises the Bar

Junior Meghan Ginter was named to the MAC All-Academic Track and Field Team and the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Track and Field/Cross Country Team in June. The kinesiology major holds a 3.93 cumulative grade point average.

“(Meghan) sets the bar academically and athletically,” NIU women’s track and field/cross country coach Connie Teaberry said. “She understands the title of student-athlete. In no way does it hinder her athletics.”

In order to qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for his or her sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year are not eligible for the award.