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Show V Tuesday, July 28, 2009 r • \ f * 1 \Vr»r» Suit: Uhtvr«vnT , r I HE SIGNPOST SPORTS Accolades keep coming for football team WSU football team gains respect but faces tough schedule By Matt Maynes sports editor I The Signpost respect nationally and getting respect in your conference. It just proves that the program has come a long way in a lot of people's eyes. The people probably see the program in a whole different light. But you still have to play the games. It's a tough schedule, probably the toughest in Division I FCS." The rankings come after a 10-4 season in which WSU shared the conference title with the The most recent in a long list of preseason honors for the Weber State University Football Team is being ranked second in the Big Sky Conference preseason poll. This adds to the already impressive acknowledgments they have received, which include being ranked seventh in the Division I Football College Subdivision preseason poll. Ten Wi 1 d c at s "Its all about getting w e r e respect nationally and named to the getting respect in your preseason A 1 I - conference. It just proves Conference team and that the program has seven were come a long way in a lot named to the 2009 of people's eyes/' Sports Network - Ron McBride, Preseason WSU Head Football Coach All-America Team. Head coach Ron University of Montana. The Wildcats have 13 McBride said it was important that WSU returning starters. They bring back the reigning received this ranking. "It's important because Big Sky Offensive Most it's a respect thing/' McBride Valuable Player, senior Cameron said.- "It's all about getting quarterback H.iggins, and Trevyn Smith who led the league in rushing. U of M, which has . won or shared 11 straight Big Sky titles, finished first in the voting with seven first place v o t e s earned that right and from coaches and 27 first until we beat them and go place votes by the media. further in the playoffs then McBride said that U of M that's where they deserve deserved to be ranked first to be." coming at this point in the Senior Tim Toone didn't season. share the same sentiment. "Montana went furthest "It is motivating," Toone in the playoffs [in the said. "People don't see us Big Sky] and they've as better than Montana traditionally been the so it's just something we powerhouse of the league," can prove when we go out McBride said. "They've there [and play them] on PHOTOS BY MATT CLASS ] Till SIGNPOST The Weber State University Football Team finished with a 10-4 record last year and shared the conference title with the University of Montana last year. This year they are ranked second in the Big Sky Conference preseason rankings behind U of M. Halloween." Even though it shows respect for WSU football, Toone doesn't think the rankings mean anything. "It's preseason, nobody knows how the teams are playing," Toone said. "You lose players and the rankings are just from how a team did last year. You really don't know how teams will be until after the first few games of the season." WSU received one first place vote by coaches, and five by the media. Eastern Washington placed third in voting and Montana State University placed fourth. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Never too busy for tennis WSU boasts new sport Marchant working hard to prepare for next season By Jordan Wilson sports reporter I The Signpost After 26 year absence, Softball makes its comeback as a school endorsed sport a member of the Pacific April 1st and the University Coast Softball Conference, of Utah on April 2nd. a league that includes With five years of With the hiring of a California State University coaching experience behind new' head coach, Weber Bakersfield, Idaho State her, Johnson is looking State University Athletics University, the University forward to what the new Director Jerry Graybeal has of Northern Colorado, season - and the new era brought a new era to WSU Seattle University and will bring to Weber State. athletics: women's softball. Utah Valley University. See Softball page 6 Weber College had The new program is set to a softball program begin on February 12, 2010 previously, starting in with five road tournaments "Catching up with 1974, going through three against Brigham Young other schools coaches in a nine-year University' New Mexico who have juniors stretch before the program State University, the was disbanded in 1983. University of Nevada - and seniors and Head Coach Tina Las Vegas, the University other experienced Johnson, who was hired of Nevada and Boise players will be a by Graybeal in August State University before of 2008, will lead the debuting at home with challenge for us/' team into competition double-headers against the - "fina Johnson, starting Spring 2010 as University of Nevada oh By James Elmer correspondent I The Signpost Senior student athlete Spencer Marchant has a lot on his plate this time of year in preparation for the upcoming tennis season. He works three jobs, does fundraisers, practices with his brother (who plays tennis for Utah State University), and works out "for the upcoming season. "I love the Weber State sports program," Marchant said. "All the coaches and players are some of the best people I've met." Marchant is currently doing an internship with the Marketing Department in Weber State University Athletics, allowing him to softball head coach gain some credit hours he needs and work experience with the department in which he's majoring. PHOTO RY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I THE SIGNPOST Weber State Uriiversity Athletics isn't the only Weber State University senior Spencer Marchant in a marketing department match last February. Marchant is working hard this sumthat wants Marchant, as mer to prepare for his senior season while getting valuable the Utah lazz are having work experience with two summer jobs in marketing. him sell season tickets for their program. to WSU every week, sophomore at Utah State "This is a great Marchant still has time to University). Spencer and opportunity for me," prepare for the upcoming Bryan try to practice tennis as rnuch as possible. Marchant said, "to gain season. "He is definitely a self Marchant has had experience and learn how motivated player/' WSU several injuries during his to sell." Even with all of his Head Tennis Coach Jared time as a Wildcat athlete. He redshirted one season activities, Marchant still Burnham said. Marchant said he is due to a shoulder injury. does more. He also works "He's prone to injury," with his brother Bryan lucky enough to have the at Coach Mike's tennis' opportunity to also be in Burnham said, "but he works close contact with another through them. He has a good academy for the summer. PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTfttFIElD. THt While selling tickets collegiate tennis player work ethic and is doing all and teaching tennis in Salt during the summer, his that he can to avoid injuries." The Weber State University softball field is scheduled to be completed this month. Team practices will start in September. The Wildcats will play their first conference game against Seattle Lake City and commuting brother Bryan Marchant (a See Marchant page 6 University in the second weekend of April. |