Whether you’re an incoming freshman, a transfer student or a long-time Wolverine sports fan, there is no substitute for knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 things to love and expect from the various athletic programs as we enter the 2009-10 seasons.
Favre re-returns to the NFL After another off-season full of Brett Favre’s waffling, he has officially reported to training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. Having announced his retirement again following the 2008-09 season, he again led the Vikings and the media on a wild goose chase of decision making.
It all started with a win over the Idaho Falls Chukars on Aug. 5 and has continued for over two weeks. After finishing third behind Ogden and Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League South Division’s first-half standings, the Owlz have ripped off a season-long winning streak to put them in command of the division race.
After a quick two-game home stand against the Seattle Sounders FC and the league’s best Houston Dynamo, RSL is 5-2-4 in their last 11 games, but their slow start to the season may end up putting them on the outside looking in come playoff time. RSL got a much-needed three points with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC on Aug.
OREM, Utah – When Ryan Toolson’s agent approached him about the possibility of playing professional basketball in Turkey, Utah Valley University’s all-time leading scorer wasn’t in for it at first. He was apprehensive about the culture, the language and to a certain degree, the European style of basketball.
With practice beginning for the UVU women’s volleyball team, fans can expect the 2009 season to be very thrilling. “We’ve been in practice for a little over a week now and I feel very good about what the girls did over the summer and can see how it will be very beneficial this season,” said coach Sam Atoa.
The Orem Owlz had some ups, and downs at the Brent Brown ballpark last Monday night July 27, but ended with a win against the Casper Ghosts. The Owlz were the first on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. A long hit to far center field got Michael Wing to third base and then eventually brought Wing in for the first run of the game.
If Real Salt Lake expects to make a run in the playoffs, or even make the post season, they can’t give up a goal in the thirteenth minute of a home game and expect to be around come November. And they definitely can’t surrender a second goal, just eight minutes later, in a much-needed win against Western Conference foe FC Dallas.
For those looking for another sporting event to attend in the fall, UVU Rugby may just be one of UVU’s best-kept secrets. During the 2008-09 season, UVU Rugby had quite the success which took them all the way to Nationals in Florida. “The team was consistently ranked in the Top 10 throughout the season,” said William Taulau Fale the Chief Operations Officer for UVU Rugby.
The Utah Valley University athletics department was notified Tuesday by NCAA Membership Services of its unanimous approval to lift the school’s provisional status and accept it as an official member of NCAA Division I. The move completes the University’s unprecedented move straight from NJCAA to NCAA athletics.