Freeland merges two departments on last day in office On his last day at the helm of the university, former President Richard Freeland announced the merger of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society with the Department of Athletics. The move, announced in a letter to the Northeastern community, is a natural step for two departments that have forged a close relationship over the past four years, Freeland said.
The move will also strengthen the involvement of Northeastern’s student athletes in local communities. Student athletes at Northeastern are required to contribute to a community service program every semester, a program that has been spearheaded by the center in past years.
In the letter, Freeland discussed the contributions of the center, saying the center is a leader in developing programs that use sport to bring positive societal change. The center also has grown a strong reputation among its clients, which include the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, Major League Baseball and the Southeastern Conference, Freeland said.
– Matt Foster, News Staff
Barea waits to hear from two teams After spending time at camps with the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks, former Northeastern guard Jose Juan Barea went home to earn a gold medal for Puerto Rico in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Sports Games.
Barea hit a 3-point basket with four seconds remaining in the game to break a tie and give Puerto Rico a 90-87 overtime victory over Panama in the gold medal game Sunday.
Barea averaged 12.6 points and 1.6 assists per game in the seven-game tournament held in Cartagena, Columbia. Puerto Rico was a perfect 7-0 in the games.
Barea will now wait to see if he is selected to represent Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Championship. The team will be finalized in the next few days. The delay is due to a number of players on the roster being injured. The FIBA World Championship will begin August 19 in Japan. Barea played one year of basketball at Miami Christian High School in Miami but grew up in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
He is also one of four contenders for the final spot on the Dallas Mavericks pre-season roster.
– Erika Carrubba, News Staff
Women’s track star competes in Central American games Women’s track and field senior Zara Northover, who holds the Colonial Athletic Association Championship meet record in the shot put (51 feet, 7.75 inches), competed on the Jamaican national team this summer. Northover placed fifth in the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Cartagene, Columbia against a field of world class athletes and competitors.
“I always enjoy competing for Jamaica,” said Northover, who holds dual citizenship in the United States. “This is my third year competing for the country and it is always great to go home and compete for my country in front of my family.”
Northover has competed in three NCAA Championships, the 2003 Pan Games and is working towards a shot at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She was named All-CAA last season.
Entering her senior year, Northover said she hopes to be a role model for the younger players and aspires to become an All-American this year.
– John Guilfoil, News Correspondent
Field hockey team places second in preseason poll The Northeastern field hockey team was picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) for the 2006 season in the preseason coaches poll, the league announced yesterday.
Reigning CAA Champions Old Dominion (ODU) were picked to finish first. ODU beat Northeastern for the conference title last season and is returning nine starters from last year. The Monarchs received seven of the nine first place votes and NU received the other two. The Huskies return 16 players from last season’s 20-person roster.
James Madison finished in third place followed by William ‘ Mary and Hofstra. Virginia Commonwealth was picked to finish last.
– Erika Carrubba, News Staff
Husky pitcher makes summer league All-Star team Sophomore pitcher Trevor Smith was named a second team All-Star as a member of the Saratoga Phillies in the New York Collegiate Baseball League Aug. 8. Smith was 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA in 41-2/3 innings while leading Saratoga to its first NYCBL title.
“It was a good experience,” Smith said. “I got a lot of innings in and improved a lot, so next year I’ll come in improved and be ready to get more wins for Northeastern.”
Smith’s work in the NYCBL should help him improve on his already stellar freshman season, where he was 7-4 with a 3.88 ERA and three saves in 53-1/3 innings. His seven wins lead the team and he also set a school record by appearing in 23 games as a pitcher.
– Matt Foster, News Staff
