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NU grad hopes to become American Idol
Becky O’Donohue is going from the hardwood to Hollywood.
O’Donohue, who played four years of women’s basketball at Niagara University, is in Hollywood to compete on American Idol. The 2002 NU graduate was one of 28 singers to advance from auditions held in Boston over the summer.
O’Donohue averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds over 112 games at Niagara. Her twin sister, Jessie, who also played for Niagara, did not compete in American Idol because she is recovering from throat surgery.
NU women’s basketball coach Bill Agronin made sure Becky O’Donohue had Niagara T-shirts to present to American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
- The Niagara University men’s tennis team (2-0) puts its unbeaten mark on the line this weekend with a pair of matches at Sportsplex in North Tonawanda.
The Purple Eagles host Mercyhurst in a non-conference match at 6 p.m. Friday before opening Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a match against Saint Peter’s at 6 p.m. Saturday.
- Men’s tennis player Alex Abji was named Niagara’s athlete of the week after leading the Purple Eagles to a 4-3 win over Cleveland State.
The sophomore from Vancouver teamed with Walter Garcia to win at second doubles before winning in three sets at third singles in the final match of the day to give Niagara the team victory.
- The NU women’s soccer team came in seventh on the NCAA’s list for most improved teams. The Purple Eagles, who advanced to the MAAC finals, went 16-3-2 in 2005 after going 9-8-1 in 2004. Western Carolina and Nevada tied for the top spot.
- A pair of Niagara Falls High School graduates helped the Buffalo State men’s hockey team post a 7-0 upset win over 10th-ranked Geneseo State, clinching just the second State University of New York Athletic Conference playoff berth in school history.
Jason Hill had a goal and two assists for the Bengals, while Mike DeMarco had one goal.
- Niagara University’s annual sports dinner raised more than $15,000 for NU’s student-athletes Monday night.
“These funds will be held in a special project account for special needs that arise that will directly benefit our student-athletes,” Niagara athletics director Mike Hermann said. “With such success (Monday), the impact of this event will be felt by each of our 280 student-athletes.”
The highlight of the dinner’s silent auction was an autographed Jerome Bettis football. One day earlier, Bettis helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl victory and then announced his retirement.
- The next Niagara meal is this Monday’s Niagara heritage Luncheon honoring Hubie Brown.
Brown, a 1955 graduate of Niagara, is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The luncheon starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 286-8600.
That night, Niagara will give away Hubie Brown bobblehead dolls to the first 500 fans through the Gallagher Center doors for the 7 p.m. men’s basketball game against Manhattan.
- Can’t wait for the baseball season? Neither can the Niagara Purple Eagles.
Niagara is scheduled to open the 2006 season at noon Feb. 18 with a non-conference game at Delaware State.
The Purple Eagles are slated to play 27 straight road games before the April 4 home opener at Sal Maglie Stadium against the University at Buffalo.
Contact Pat Murray at 282-2311, Ext. 2258.
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News names Farrell swimming POY
Scott Farrell, the Tonawanda News' Player of the Year in boys swimming, capped his five-year varsity career at NTHS by competing in the 50 and 100 freestyle events at the NYS championships, during which he was named the recipient of the Section VI Sporstmanship Award.
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For SU, tourney will show whether key departures were a blessing
“Certainly it hurts to lose your top three scorers,” said Andy Rautins, a fifth-year senior for the Orange. “But at the same time, it made us into a better team. We have a lot of chemistry this year. Everybody is always on the same page regardless of what five guys are on the floor. I think we’re a very unselfish team. That’s what has made us so successful.”
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Falls' Carter ready to get back in the ring
Niagara Falls' Terry Carter will make his first appearance in the boxing ring in five years when he fights in the Golden Gloves Tournament Saturday at ECC's Flickinger Center in Buffalo.
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MMA: GI’s Weiser heads from field to octagon
Former Grand Island standout and current Buffalo State linebacker Eddie Weiser’s roots run deep when it comes to fighting.
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NCAA TOURNAMENT: Gonzaga trumpets small conference cause as a mid-major player
With a big budget, a 6,000-seat arena that’s nearly impossible to get into, and a string of top national and international recruits, Gonzaga has become the poster child for the emergence of mid-major basketball.
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Blue Devils' Badgley to step down
After 10 seasons as head coach of the Kenmore West boys basketball team, Jim Badgley is resigning in order to spend more time with family.
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SABRES: Miller pulled in 4-3 loss to Thrashers
Ryan Miller was pulled after giving up three goals in the first 6 minutes and Jim Slater’s third-period goal gave the Thrashers a 4-3 win over the Northeast-leading Sabres on Tuesday night.
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Blachowski lifts Lightning to state hockey title
Chris Blachowski buried the game-winning goal with under four minutes left in regulation, lifting the Tonawanda Lightning 99s to the title over the host Binghamton Jr. Senators.
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Caruana named News' Wrestler of the Year
Kenmore West sophomore Dylan Caruana compiled an overall record of 37-5 this season en route to the Section VI title at 119 pounds and a bid to the state tournament.
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TENNIS: Ken White revels in match of a lifetime
City of Tonawanda native Ken White played the biggest match of his career when he recently competed in the Babolat World Tennis Championships in Palm Springs, Calif.
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