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Show Take Note: 5 Wednesday, April 25,2007 The track team begins competition in the Clarence Robison Invitational at BYU today. 797-1761 sports@statesman.usu.edu Carroll declares for 2007 NBA Draft Down I Line Without agent, Carroll able to withdraw and keep college eligibility FBI investigates ed to use this experience as Nelson and got his advice, a measuring stick to how he and everything just seemed Staff Writer stacks up with other NBA to point in this direction," prospects out there. Carroll said. USU junior guard Jaycee "I've been told and heard Along with support from Carroll announced Monday there is some interest and his former teammate, Carroll that he will declare for the there might be some opporsaid USU Head Coach Stew NBA Draft. tunities," he said in a conferMorrill also supports his But, before people start ence call Monday. "I'm a long decision. He said he sat down lamenting the loss of the with Morrill, who was posiWestern Athletic Conference's shot for sure, but if by doing this it will help my chances at tive about the situation, and leading scorer, they can hear all and narrow the gap from helped Carroll get all the Carroll out. being a long to having a shot, information he needed to I'm a long shot. It'd have it's something I want to do." make an informed decision. to be looking pretty good, like I was going to be a pretty Carroll said the NBA has Carroll isn't alone in his sought after, first-round been his dream for a long decision to declare. His decidraft pick for me not to come time, and he didn't want to sion comes after Nevada back," he said. "That's the miss any opportunities that guards Marcelus Kemp and only way I'd even think about would help him make that Ramon Sessions declared it. If I was looking like I'd be dream come true. their intentions to enter the a first-round draft pick with NBA Draft. For Carroll, it isn't just a a guaranteed contract, then dream though. He sees this Other big-name underthere'd be a thought about as a challenge, which will classmen have declared leaving." help him improve and stay on for the NBA Draft as well, top of his game. including Texas freshman Since Carroll hasn't hired Kevin Durant, Ohio State an agent, he can withdraw "It's an opportunity. It's freshman Greg Oden, Florida his name from the pool of a challenge, and hopefully I junior Corey Brewer and NBA hopefuls and retain his can prepare myself and step UCLA junior Aaron Afflalo. college eligibility as long as up for the challenge that's he does so before June 18. ahead of me," he said. But those guys aren't The NBA Draft will he Carroll said he has been looking to return to college. held on June 28. thinking about this for a Carroll is. while. He said he had conLast season, Carroll averHe even said he's been versations with Boise State's aged 21.3 points, which led looking forward to his senior Coby Karl at the WAC prethe WAC and placed him season ever since the end of 10th in the nation in scoring. season meetings and over the this season. phone with his former teamHe was named first-team "(Fans) shouldn't worry too mate Spencer Nelson, and he much. I love USU and I enjoy all-WAC and Honorable Mention Ail-American by the said he liked what they had my time here ... It would take to say about the opportunities a lot to get me away from Associated Press. declaring offered. here," Carroll said. After his successful junior season, Carroll said he decid"I talked to Spencer -dabake@cc.usu.edu complaints about cheerleaders BY D A V I D BAKER Patrick Oden/poden@cc.usu.edu JUNIOR GUARD JAYCEE CARROLL takes a break from the action during a basketball game earlier this season. Carroll declared for the 2007 NBA Draft but said it would take a big first-round draft pick to get him to leave USU early. Aggie home runs spur softball team's win over Bengals BY ERIN WADSWORTH Staff Writer The softball team started off its competition-clad week with a two-game sweep of Idaho State University for Lexy Perry Day at the LeRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. Lexy Perry, senior starting pitcher, was recognized for her contribution to the softball program along with six of her teammates who will be graduating following the season. Each senior has been given her own day at the field for a home game this season. Game one began slowly, reaching a score of 1-0 as the second inning came to a close. Junior shortstop Tara Evans made it home to give the Aggies their opening lead with a single to right field, a third base steal and the first scoring run. "It was good to see them play relaxed but confident," Head Coach Candi Letts said. "When they do those things, they're a fun team to watch. I think the kids really enjoy being on the field, and I think that gives the crowd a chance to really get to feel the players' personalities." USU increased its lead to 2-0 with sophomore first baseman Aubrie Stroman doubling to right field and coming home after freshman outfielder Emily Reilly hit a single. Junior third baseman Amy Schaible shot off the first home run of the day, giving her 10 home runs on the season, which ties the program's single season record. The Aggies also broke the school record for home runs in a season, and Letts said it's good that the hits have been from a variety of players. "I was really happy for the kids," Letts said. "We had good pitching, good hitting and good defense. When those three work together, it's usually a good day." The Bengals had four hits for the game and no runs, allowing the Aggies to win with a final score of 5-0. Sophomore pitcher Lindsey Benson stepped up to help with the Aggie win by only allowing those four hits. Between Benson's pitching and team starters bringing the heat, USU caught a team-effort win, Letts said. "I feel like she's pitching real hot," Letts said. "We need to keep her hot. We need to get her on the mound and have the ball. She did a good job, and I think she set the pace for us and then let our bats talk after that." Game two for the Aggies started with a bang as four hitters made their way home in the first inning alone. Senior outfielder Ashley Bellum and Evans hit home runs bringing in two runs each. From there, both teams managed to keep each other at bay for almost three innings, but it was Evans stealing home that pulled the Aggies to a 5-0 lead. Evans was followed •SOFTBALL SWEEP see page 8 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The FBI offered a $5,000 reward Tbesday for help finding whoever mailed dozens of threatening letters - including some containing a potentially harmful insecticide - complaining about TV coverage of college cheerleaders and professional female athletes. The writer or writers complained that ESPN and ABC crews have exploited cheerleaders, WNBA players and WTA Tour players through certain camera angles, even though those angles were rarely shown on the air. The FBI released excerpts of two letters in the hope of , identifying who sent them. ^ ' "For the past 6-7 years, ESPN and its nationwide networks have exploited cheer/dance teams all across the country. They do this by parking their TV cameras on these women for their own personal entertainment," an excerpt from one letter said. "Pigs park their cameras on us close up, front view, dozens of times each game, yet rarely ever show on TV in this manner," another excerpt read. Investigators believe the author "may be directly or indirectly involved in some element of cheerleading and/ or the television production/ coverage aspect of collegiate athletics," according to an FBI statement. A spokesman for ESPN said the network is cooperating with authorities but could not give details about the investigation. Standings NHL Playoffs Eastern QUARTERFINALS New York Islanders v. Buffalo Sabres Sabres win series 4-1 Tampa Bay Lightning v. New Jersey Devils Devils win series 4-2 New York Rangers v. Atlanta Thrashers Rangers win series 4-0 Pittsburgh Penguins v. Ottawa Senators Senators win series 4-1 SEMIFINALS New York Rangers v. Buffalo Sabers David Baker/dabake@(c.usu.edu THE REFEREE IN A GAME OF BROOMBALL prepares to drop the ball to begin broomball play as two competitors face off, Friday at the Eccles Ice Center. Broomball, a sport that has been around for more than 100 years, is gaining popularity in Logan and is available at the Eccles Ice Center on Fridays. Brooms used for more than just sweeping in broomball BY D A V I D BAKER Staff Writer Don't show up at the Eccles Ice Center, broom in hand, ready to play broomball. The game has nothing to do with the haggard, dust-covered tangle at the end of a stick that most college students would call a broom. In fact, the brooms used for broomball would create some very interesting challenges for anyone intent on using them to do their spring cleaning. "You're going to have a hard time sweeping up with one of those things," Todd White, a broomball competitor, said. This broom resembles the standard broom about as much as broomball resembles actual janitorial work - the bristles of a normal broom are replaced by angular, odd-shaped, hard rubber ends, and there's no sweeping or toilet cleaning involved in the game play. Broomball is actually quite close to hockey, except without skates, checking or fighting. According to the rules, broomball is a "no contact sport." A player can even get a penalty for sliding into another player, which is pretty hard to avoid when the players are running around on a sheet of ice with tennis shoes for traction. Broomball has been around since the early 19OOs. It started in Canada - with actual brooms - and spread into America, where it has gained popularity in areas where hockey is also big, said Brandon Taylor, sales and promotion associate at the Eccles. A mix of teens, college students and some smaller kids, clad in helmets, elbow and shin pads, have been playing the sport at the Eccles for three weeks now. The ice center has used the last three weeks to pique interest about the sport in hopes that some broomball leagues can be started, Taylor said. And it may be working. The turnout for the last three weeks has been increasing, from 22 the first week to almost 30 last Friday, he said. But, the last three weeks it was free to play. The price now will be $5.50 per person to play, which includes a stick and a helmet. Extra pads can be rented for a dollar a pair. Taylor said they are waiting to see how many people still come to play before making any further decision about leagues or intramurals. Although there is some uncertainty about the amount of people that may come play broomball, everyone seems to be certain about how fun the game actually is. "It's the best thing that ever >• BROOMBALL see page 7 Series tied 0 - 0 WEDS, APRIL 2 5 - a t Buffalo FRI. APRIL 27 • at Buffalo SUN, APRIL29-at NY Rangers TUES, MAY 1-at NY Rangers •FRI, MAY 4 - a t Buffalo *SUN. MAY 6 - at NY Rangers •TUES, MAY8-at Buffalo Ottawa Senators v. New Jersey Devils Series tied 0 - 0 THURS, APRIL 26 • at New Jersey SAT, APRIL 28 - at New Jersey MON, APRIL 3 0 - a t Ottawa WEDS, MAY 2 • at Ottawa "SAT. MAY 5 - at New Jersey •MON, MAY 7 - a t Ottawa "WEDS, MAY 9 • at New Jersey Western QlJARTERNHALS Calgary Flames v. Detroit Red Wings Red Wings win scries 4-2 Minnesota Wild v. Anaheim Ducks Ducks win series 4-1 Dallas Stars v, Vancouvor Canucks Canucks win series 4-3 San Jose Sharks v. Nashville Predators Sharks win series 4-1 SEMIFINALS Anaheim Ducks v. Vancouver Canucks Series tied 0 - 0 WED, APRIL 25 - at Anaheim FRI, APRIL27-at Anaheim SUN, APRIL 29 - at Vancouver TUES, MAY 1-at Vancouver •THURS, MAY 3 - a t Anaheim 'SUN, MAY 6 - at Vancouver •TUES, MAY8-at Anaheim Detroit Red Winds v, San Jose Snarl™ Series tied 0 - 0 THURS, APRIL 2 6 - a t Detroit SAT, APRIL28-at Detroit MON, APRIL 30 - at San Jose WEDS. MAY 2 - at San Jose •SAT, MAY 5 - at Detroit •MON, MAY 7 - a t San Jose 'WEDS, MAY 9 - a t Detroit * |