Michigan State Spartans

MSU: NCAA finds no rule violations in Larry Nassar scandal

Dan Murphy, ESPN Staff Writer

The NCAA does not see a need for further inquiry into any potential violations of the organization’s rules regarding sexual assault cases at Michigan State, the university announced Thursday.

Michigan State said it received a letter from Jonathan Duncan, the NCAA’s vice president of enforcement, on Wednesday, saying that no NCAA violations were found in a review of how the school responded to sexual assaults committed by former university doctor Larry Nassar or how the school handled separate sexual assault allegations made against members of the football and basketball programs.

“We welcome closure in regards to the NCAA inquiry,” athletic director Bill Beekman said in a statement Thursday morning. “MSU cooperated fully with the inquiry over the past several months and provided all requested documentation and access to key personnel.”

The NCAA contacted Michigan State on Jan. 23 amid the public sentencing hearing for Nassar, who was sentenced to up to 175 years in state prison for using his authority as a doctor to sexually abuse his patients. Several former MSU athletes and others said during those hearings that they told other authority figures on campus about Nassar’s abuse, but their complaints were not taken seriously.

Thursday’s announcement came hours after former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages was arraigned on two counts of lying to police about complaints she received about Nassar. Former youth gymnast Larissa Boyce said she told Klages about Nassar’s abuse in 1997, and Klages discouraged her from reporting it to anyone else.

Lindsey Lemke, a former captain of the Michigan State gymnastics team, said Klages ignored her concerns about Nassar in the fall of 2016 and had the team sign a sympathy card for the former team doctor after he was fired.

“It’s a good thing there are multiple other investigations going on other than [the] NCAA, where hopefully they will be able to reveal more truth of how this situation got to be as bad as it did,” Lemke said to WLNS and later to ESPN on Thursday. “If the world’s worst pedophile in history working at MSU and getting away with abuse for 20 years isn’t considered a violation, then what is the point?”

Michigan’s attorney general appointed a special prosecutor to investigate “every corner” of the university and how it handles sexual assault issues. That investigation resulted in Klages’ arrest and remains open. The U.S. Department of Education also has two ongoing investigations regarding Michigan State’s handling of the Nassar case and reports of sexual violence involving Michigan State athletes.

Beekman said in his statement that “the NCAA findings do not change a thing” in regard to the crimes Nassar committed on Michigan State’s campus or the school’s commitment to improving the health, safety and wellness of athletes at the school.

Michigan State’s statement said the NCAA’s second inquiry into how it handles student-athlete conduct issues stemmed from an Outside The Lines report in January, which said the school had shown a “pattern of denial, inaction and information suppression” when handling allegations against athletes of sexual misconduct and violence toward women.

The NCAA’s letter to Michigan State on Wednesday said its review of “the institution’s handling of student conduct allegations involving football and men’s basketball student-athletes … has not substantiated violations of NCAA legislation: and that “it does not appear there is need for further inquiry.”

Beekman said Thursday’s letter from the NCAA provides external validation of how football coach Mark Dantonio and basketball coach Tom Izzo administer their programs.

“Mark and Tom represent the athletic department and Michigan State University with integrity,” Beekman said.

Carolyn Schaner, who alleged in the Outside The Lines report that Michigan State mishandled sexual assault allegations she made in 2010, said she was not contacted by the NCAA as part of its inquiry. Karen Truszkowski, an attorney who represents multiple clients currently suing the university for sexual assault issues involving student athletes, said she also was not contacted by the NCAA for its inquiry.

Lauren Allswede, a former Michigan State sexual assault counselor who spoke to Outside The Lines for that report, said she was interviewed by the NCAA’s investigators but does not feel the issue has been fully resolved at this point.

“I told the investigator my experiences while at MSU, and how my experiences working with allegations involving athletes were handled differently than allegations against non-athletes,” Allswede said. “I have asked different administrators within the university and through several federal investigations about my experiences, with the hope each time that there was an explanation or answer that would justify actions taken and decisions made.

“To this date, nobody has been able to answer my questions or explain why certain cases involving athletes were handled differently. The NCAA concluded their investigation, but I don’t have any clarity or assurance, and I don’t believe there’s been a resolution.”

ESPN’s Paula Lavigne and Nicole Noren contributed to this report.

Photo: William Purnell/Icon Sportswire

Expert picks: Which four teams will make the CFP?

ESPN Staff

As the 2018 season gets underway in earnest this week, it’s time to break out the crystal ball and predict the College Football Playoff field and eventual champion. It’s no surprise that Alabama and Clemson dominate these lists from our 42 experts, but some picks are sure to surprise (hello, Michigan!).

Title picks: Clemson 22, Alabama 14, Georgia 3, Wisconsin 2, Michigan 1

Playoff picks: Clemson 42/42, Alabama 39/42

ESPN EXPERTS’ PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

NAME	CHAMPION	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
Rece Davis
Kirk Herbstreit
Lee Corso
Desmond Howard
Sean McDonough
Todd McShay
Mack Brown
Greg McElroy
Marty Smith
Laura Rutledge
Trevor Matich
Jon Vilma
Heather Dinich
Ryan McGee
Adnan Virk
Emmanuel Acho
Mark Schlabach
Bob Wischusen
Dan Orlovsky
Andrea Adelson
Tom Luginbill
Andre Ware
Brock Huard
Cole Cubelic
Anish Shroff
Rod Gilmore
Olivia Dekker
Jake Trotter
Chris Cotter
Anthony Becht
Mitch Sherman
Adam Rittenberg
Kyle Bonagura
David M. Hale
Myron Medcalf
Mike Corey
Dave Pasch
Ivan Maisel
Chris Doering
Alex Scarborough
Todd Blackledge
D.J. Shockley

Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24464244/espn-predictions-2018-college-football-playoff-teams

MSU No. 12, U of M No. 14 in preseason Coaches Poll

By Blake Froling

Now that fall practice is starting and we’re less than a month away from real, live college football, it’s time to get riled up by preseason polls.

The Amway Coaches Poll was released Thursday afternoon and featured the usual suspects — Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State — at the top. Michigan State was voted No. 12 and Michigan came in two spots behind at No. 14.

The Spartans and Wolverines were two of the five Big Ten teams selected in the top 15, along with Ohio State (3), Wisconsin (7) and Penn State (9). Northwestern also received votes.

Looking ahead, Michigan State will play three ranked opponents this season and Michigan will face five, including the season opener in South Bend against No. 11 Notre Dame.

The Big Ten, SEC and Big 12 each had five teams voted into the poll, while the ACC had four and the PAC-12 had three. University of Central Florida, the self-proclaimed “national champions,” were ranked No. 23.

RK	TEAM	REC	PTS
1	Alabama(61)	0-0	1621
2	Clemson(3)	0-0	1547	—	—
3	Ohio State(1)	0-0	1458	—	—
4	Georgia	0-0	1452	—	—
5	Oklahoma	0-0	1288	—	—
6	Washington	0-0	1245	—
7	Wisconsin	0-0	1243
8	Miami	0-0
9	Penn State	0-0	1050
10	Auburn	0-0	1004
11	Notre Dame	0-0	892
12	Michigan State	0-0
13	Stanford	0-0	768
14	Michigan	0-0	752
15	USC	0-0	691
16	TCU	0-0	530
17	Virginia Tech	0-0	524
18	Mississippi State	0-0	407
19	Florida State	0-0	328
20	West Virginia	0-0	310
21	Texas	0-0	265
22	Boise State	0-0	261
23	UCF	0-0	259
24	LSU	0-0	254
25	Oklahoma State	0-0	168

Others receiving votes: South Carolina 138, Florida 135, Oregon 105, Utah 81, Texas A&M 67, Northwestern 67, Kansas State 35, Florida Atlantic 27, Memphis 23, Boston College 23, NC State 22, Arkansas State 19, Troy 19, Appalachian State 16, San Diego State 15, Kentucky 8, Iowa State 8, Iowa 8, Washington State 7, South Florida 6, Duke 5, Fresno State 4, Louisville 3, Arizona 2, Houston 2, Army 1, Northern Illinois 1

Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images

As society has evolved, Urban Meyer hasn’t

Andrea Adelson
ESPN Staff Writer

Urban Meyer today is the same Urban Meyer who walked the sideline at Florida: a head coach so driven to win, he was willing to tolerate misconduct among players and alleged misconduct among assistants as long as it meant competing for championships.

But there is one big difference. Forgiving and forgetting domestic violence, sexual assault or abuse against women is no longer the norm. Nobody is too big to go down in college sports, not anymore. Not after what happened with Art Briles and Baylor or what happened for decades to Michigan State gymnasts or what is happening now at Ohio State. Meyer, 54, was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday as the school announced it is investigating Courtney Smith’s claims that several people close to the coach knew of a 2015 allegation of domestic violence against her ex-husband, former Ohio State assistant football coach Zach Smith, who was fired in July.

A decade ago, that was not the case. A decade ago, Urban Meyer built a championship program at Florida, burnishing his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in the game despite his bringing in and keeping troubled players. Nobody really cared all that much. Florida football was rolling, and though the arrest reports kept growing, not one administrator came down on Meyer or the way he handled his players.

In retrospect, Tim Tebow gave Meyer much needed cover for the ugliness that continues to stain the Florida program today. All the positive headlines Tebow drew during his illustrious career there helped deflect a growing problem: an out-of-control locker room.

During Meyer’s six-year tenure at Florida, some 31 players were arrested, with at least 10 accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanor battery to felony domestic assault to felony theft to domestic battery. Punishment varied depending on the player, but let’s just say it was uneven at best. In perhaps the best example that illustrates that, star running back Chris Rainey was suspended only four games in 2010 after he was charged with aggravated stalking for allegedly texting his girlfriend, “Time to die, b—-.”

Not included in that arrest total? Then-graduate assistant Zach Smith, arrested in 2009 for allegedly shoving his pregnant wife against a wall. Meyer explained last week at Big Ten media day that he and his wife, Shelley, got involved to help Smith and his wife through counseling. Meyer went on to deny knowing that Smith was investigated for domestic violence in 2015. Courtney Smith, Zach’s now-ex-wife, said Wednesday that she told Shelley about both the 2009 and 2015 incidents.

The counseling explanation sounded eerily similar to comments Meyer made about former player Aaron Hernandez, who killed himself in 2017 after he was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Meyer once said he used to have Hernandez over to his home for Bible study, and he and Shelley counseled Hernandez to stop hanging out with his childhood friends in Connecticut. (In April 2007, Hernandez settled out of court and received deferred prosecution following a bar fight. He was later questioned by police but never charged following a Gainesville shooting that September.)

“We knew that every time he went home — and that was a concern of mine — every time he would go to Connecticut, I’d have players on my team say, ‘Watch this guy. Watch when he comes back,’ so I would visit with him,” Meyer told Andrea Kremer for HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” in 2014. “He was knee-deep in our family.”

Before the societal sea change over the past several years, coaches could get away with believing themselves to be saviors or father figures, purveyors of second chances for so many troubled souls. It’s a God complex that isn’t isolated to Meyer but is symptomatic of the coaching culture in general.

It was only after he left Florida that a slow examination of what Meyer allowed to happen began in earnest. Even he told Kremer in 2014 that he made mistakes at Florida. “If I look back now, the biggest mistake, I probably gave second chances to some people that maybe [I] shouldn’t,” Meyer said. “But this is someone’s son. I know in my soul we’re doing it right, doing the best we can. Did we make mistakes? We make mistakes.”

Perhaps Meyer learned from those mistakes as it relates to player behavior. During his tenure at Ohio State, only a handful of players have gotten into legal trouble. The most notable was running back Carlos Hyde, who was suspended for three games in 2013 after police began investigating him for allegedly assaulting a woman.

But it was a different story among the staff. Meyer brought on Smith, a man Meyer knew had been alleged to abuse his pregnant wife. He brought on former Indiana coach Kevin Wilson, who resigned after he was accused of mistreating his players. He stuck by Greg Schiano after a deposition came to light alleging that Schiano knew about Jerry Sandusky’s child abuse at Penn State, allegations Schiano denies.

Did Ohio State administrators even bother questioning those moves? Or Meyer’s past at Florida?

This whole time, it has been up to administrators to hold Meyer accountable. Nobody ever did until Courtney Smith decided to speak up. In this rare instance, she provided not only photos but also text messages to back up her claims that at least Shelley Meyer knew what happened to her in 2015, despite Urban Meyer’s denials.

And then the college football world stopped and actually listened.

While no permanent decision has been made on Meyer’s future, Ohio State administrators have shown that they are listening.

Given the shift we have seen in our society, from Baylor to the #MeToo movement, Meyer was finally forced to listen. His past at Florida has come back to him in a rather unexpected way, all thanks to the decision he made almost a decade ago to give Zach Smith a second chance.

In those 10 years, the world started to change. It seems Meyer hasn’t changed quickly enough.

Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24259780/urban-meyer-ohio-state-buckeyes-coaching-scandal

Jon Reschke returns to Spartans year after insensitive comments

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Staff Writer

CHICAGO — Michigan State linebacker Jon Reschke, who made racially insensitive comments about a teammate in January 2017 and left the program soon after, is back on the Spartans roster and may return this season.

Coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday that Reschke, a starter in 2015, is taking the necessary steps toward a return this season but has permanently lost his scholarship. Dantonio said he’s largely leaving Reschke’s status up to the players.

“I talked to our football team and our players and said, ‘Hey, if you guys want him back, then you have to bring him back,'” Dantonio said Tuesday. “It has to be a decision made by our African-American players, led by them, and they have to support that.”

In a February 2017 statement announcing his decision to transfer from Michigan State, Reschke apologized for an “insensitive and totally regrettable comment involving a former teammate. In so doing, I have hurt and offended countless number of people, and for that, I am deeply sorry. If I could take my comment back, I would do so in a second.”

Reschke ultimately did not leave for another program and suffered a knee injury that kept him out for the 2017 season. He received approval for a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, citing the injuries he had in both 2016, when he appeared in just two games, and 2017. Reschke has 101 career tackles playing for MSU between 2014 and 2016.

Dantonio brought up the idea of Reschke’s return to the team in January and has checked in with players each month. Reschke participated in some of the team’s offseason conditioning program.

“I’m hopefully allowing healing to take place among our players,” Dantonio said. “We’ll take a step-by-step approach. He’s not on scholarship, nor will he be on scholarship. He paid the ultimate price by being out of football for a year.”

Dantonio later added: “All indications from our players are they do want him in camp.”

Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24182440/michigan-state-linebacker-jon-reschke-allowed-back-team

Big Ten power rankings: Can anyone catch Ohio State?

Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes have reloaded and are our early pick to defend their title as Big Ten champions. Here are ESPN.com’s preseason Big Ten power rankings:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes finished atop the Big Ten last season and are returning 15 total starters from last season’s team. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins showed promise in his limited time, completing 40 of his 57 passes and throwing four touchdowns in the process. Haskins has an opportunity to shine this season and help lead Ohio State back to the conference championship game. Nick Bosa should help lead a defense that lost quite a bit to the NFL, but defensive backs Kendall Sheffield, Jeffrey Okudah and Jordan Fuller should all be poised to take on bigger roles and pick up the slack in the secondary.

2. Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers lose some big contributors on defense, including Conor Sheehy, Derrick Tindal and Natrell Jamerson, but there is still a lot left to like. After finishing 13-1 last season, with the only loss to Ohio State in the conference championship game, quarterback Alex Hornibrook returns some of his bigger weapons, including running back Jonathan Taylor. The sophomore broke records last season and finished third in rushing yards behind only Rashaad Penny and Bryce Love. Taylor will have his entire offensive line returning to help propel his rushing stats even further this season, and potentially help launch the Badgers back to the league title game.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

This was an interesting offseason for head coach James Franklin as he saw star running back Saquon Barkley get drafted No. 2 overall, his offensive coordinator and running backs coach leave for Mississippi State and his wide receivers coach leave for Alabama. On top of that, the Nittany Lions lose eight defensive starters, including linebacker Jason Cabinda and defensive backs Grant Haley, Marcus Allen and Troy Apke. But Franklin and staff have recruited so well the past few years that there is talent on the depth chart that should be able to come in and fill those gaps. Young stars such as Miles Sanders, Justin Shorter and Micah Parsons can rise fast and help keep Penn State among the Big Ten’s best programs.

4. Michigan State Spartans

This one might cause some debate between Spartans and Wolverines, but Michigan State loses only four total starters from last season. That team had 10 wins and brings back one of the more important pieces in quarterback Brian Lewerke. All of Lewerke’s offensive weapons are coming back, and the Spartans are really only replacing center Brian Allen on the offensive side. Defensively, linebacker Joe Bachie and defensive back Josiah Scott should be able to build off strong 2017 campaigns, which will make Michigan State tough to beat in 2018.

5. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines once again have the talent to contend for a Big Ten title, but four years into the Jim Harbaugh era they have to start proving it on the field before they climb any higher in the rankings. The defense returns bona fide NFL prospects at all three levels and should once again be good enough to keep any game close. Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson — the front-runner to take over at quarterback — and some new blood on the coaching staff will be tasked with jump-starting an offense that struggled in 2017.

6. Northwestern Wildcats

Clayton Thorson returns as the Big Ten’s most experienced quarterback, but he’ll have to up his game without his old backfield partner and the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher, Justin Jackson. If the coaching staff finds a way to replace a couple of big losses in the secondary, Northwestern’s defense should have the strength to dictate field position and the pace of many of its games. Pat Fitzgerald’s program has averaged nine wins in each of the past three seasons and should remain a team to be wary of in 2018.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

The steady Hawkeyes finished last season in third place in the West, and that’s where they start 2018. Leading rusher Akrum Wadley is gone, as are three fast, veteran linebackers, headlined by All-American Josey Jewell. This season’s Iowa team will have to lean more on its deep defensive line and its passing game. Nathan Stanley returns at quarterback and has a pair of sturdy tight ends (Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson) to serve as a good foundation for moving the ball through the air.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Scott Frost’s arrival makes the Cornhuskers one of the country’s most interesting teams to watch at the start of the season. With a first-year starter at quarterback (redshirt freshman Tristan Gebbia and freshman Adrian Martinez are front-runners in the upcoming training-camp battle), it might take some time for the talent level and the understanding of Frost’s new offense to match the level of excitement in Lincoln. Not to mention that the new staff got saddled with having to play Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan from the East this fall. Playmakers like Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman make Nebraska a dangerous opponent for schools with title hopes.

9. Purdue Boilermakers

Jeff Brohm did a remarkable job getting Purdue to a bowl game — and a bowl victory — in Year 1. Momentum is building in Boiler Country, and Brohm’s offense once again should be fun and productive. Quarterbacks Elijah Sindelar and David Blough both return from major injuries, along with a deep running backs group and wideout Jackson Anthrop. But Purdue lost almost all of its top contributors on defense, a vastly underrated unit that became stingy in Big Ten play and helped the team to bowl eligibility. Purdue will score a lot, but it also probably will give up a lot unless it can build around lineman Lorenzo Neal Jr. and linebacker Markus Bailey.

10. Indiana Hoosiers

Tom Allen’s first season as Hoosiers coach featured four single-digit losses and no bowl game. To close the gap, Allen will rely on young players, particularly with a defense returning only four starters and just one in the front seven. Allen is a terrific defensive coach, but the personnel situation will test him. Indiana has some nice pieces on offense with running back Morgan Ellison and wide receivers Luke Timian and Nick Westbrook, who returns from an ACL tear after a 54-catch season in 2016. The immediate question is quarterback as Peyton Ramsey, who started four games last season and will compete with Arizona graduate transfer Brandon Dawkins and others for the starting job.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Gophers probably will get younger this season, as P.J. Fleck wants to get an upgraded recruiting class into the mix sooner than later. Fleck is playing the long game at Minnesota, which was exposed for much of Big Ten play last fall. The Gophers need to build their passing game behind a yet-to-be-determined new quarterback (Tanner Morgan or Zack Annexstad) after finishing 121st nationally in pass offense last fall. Senior running back Rodney Smith is a reliable producer, and the defensive backfield should be a strength with Antoine Winfield Jr. returning from a hamstring issue. But Minnesota might be a year away from a substantial step forward.

12. Maryland Terrapins

A promising start disintegrated in coach D.J. Durkin’s second season last fall as injuries at quarterback took a huge toll — first with the loss of Tyrrell Pigrome in the season-opening victory over Texas and then when Kasim Hill went down in Week 4. They’re both back, as is Max Bortenschlager, who started eight games in 2017. Much-traveled Matt Canada is in as offensive coordinator. Defensively, the Terps might get a boost from high-profile transfers Byron Cowart and Marcus Lewis, formerly of Auburn and Florida State, respectively.

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights enter camp after the recent dismissal of two key players on defense amid a potential scandal involving a reported credit-card scam that could derail this season before it starts. Third-year coach Chris Ash brings back some talent on defense, led by senior linebacker Deonte Roberts, and might start a true freshman at QB in Artur Sitkowski, once pledged to Miami (Fla.). Aside from a Week 2 visit to Ohio State, the early schedule is manageable ahead of a brutal stretch in November.

14. Illinois Fighting Illini

Things went from bad in coach Lovie Smith’s first season to worse in his second year with the Illini. That is the nature of a complete rebuild, but patience will wear thin if Illinois fails to show notable improvement this fall with a youthful roster that features promising skill at running back with Mike Epstein and the return from multiple injuries of veteran wideout Mike Dudek. Defensive end Bobby Roundtree and safety Bennett Williams are back as talented sophomores.

Photo: AP Photo/Michael Conroy

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24150992/big-ten-preseason-power-rankings

ESPYS honor Nassar survivors with Ashe award

The hundreds of survivors of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse were given the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2018 ESPYS.

Many of the survivors detailed their respective accounts of abuse in a video that played before the award presentation.

Actress Jennifer Garner presented the award and said that while the survivors’ story is difficult, it is one that the world “has to hear.”

The women, known collectively as “sister survivors,” who spoke out against Nassar were honored Wednesday for their “strength and resolve” for bringing “the darkness of sexual abuse into the light.”

Sarah Klein, who identified herself as the first to be abused by Nassar, said that she and the more than 140 other survivors on the ESPYS stage “represent hundreds more who are not with us tonight. Make no mistake, we are here on this stage to present an image for the world to see: a portrait of survival, a new vision of courage.”

“Telling our stories of abuse over and over and over again in graphic detail is not easy … it’s grueling and it’s painful, but it is time,” Klein said.

The courage award is given annually to those who embody the spirit of its namesake: tennis legend and longtime human rights campaigner Arthur Ashe.

Nassar, the disgraced USA Gymnastics and Michigan State team doctor, was sentenced in January to 40 to 175 years in prison after seven days of impact statements from more than 150 girls and women who said he sexually abused them in what amounts to the biggest case of sexual abuse in the history of American sports.

“We stand here and it feels like we’re finally winning,” said Tiffany Thomas Lopez, a softball player who was abused by Nassar.

“1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. These were the years we spoke up about Larry Nassar’s abuse,” Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman said Wednesday. “All those years we were told, ‘You are wrong. You misunderstood. He’s a doctor. It’s OK. Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered. Be careful. There are risks involved.’ The intention: to silence us in favor of money, medals and reputation.”

“To all the survivors out there, don’t let anyone rewrite your story,” Raisman said, later adding, “We may suffer alone, but we survive together.”

Jim Kelly wins Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

Kelly, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is a cancer survivor, and on Wednesday he encouraged people to use positivity in the face of adversity.

“Make a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow,” said the former Buffalo Bills quarterback, who was joined onstage by his daughters Erin and Camryn. “When I look across this arena, and when I talk to people, you don’t need to be a Russell Wilson or an Aaron Rodgers to make a difference out there. Every single person in this room can be a difference-maker. You can be a normal person that gets up every morning and goes to work. But you can be a difference-maker, putting smiles on those faces.”

In other special awards, Jake Wood of Team Rubicon was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service. A former Wisconsin Badgers football player and Marine, Wood is the co-founder of Team Rubicon, an organization that helps veterans re-acclimate to life back at home through service projects and disaster relief.

The award for best coach went to Aaron Feis, Scott Beigel and Chris Hixon of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The three men were among those who died in the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Complete list of ESPYS winners

Best Male Athlete: Alex Ovechkin

Best Female Athlete: Chloe Kim

Best Olympic Moment: Shaun White

Best Championship Performance: Nick Foles

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Donovan Mitchell

Best Game: U.S. women’s hockey team defeats Canada

Best Moment: Minnesota Vikings defeat the New Orleans Saints

Best Team: Houston Astros

Best College Athlete: Baker Mayfield

Best Play: Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale hits second buzzer-beater to win NCAA women’s basketball national title

Best Record-Breaking Performance: Roger Federer

Best International Men’s Soccer Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Best International Women’s Soccer Player: Sam Kerr

Best NFL Player: Tom Brady

Best MLB Player: Mike Trout

Best NHL Player: Alex Ovechkin

Best Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Best NBA Player: LeBron James

Best WNBA Player: Maya Moore

Best Fighter: Terence Crawford

Best Male Golfer: Jordan Spieth

Best Female Golfer: Sung-Hyun Park

Best Male Olympian: Shaun White

Best Female Olympian: Chloe Kim

Best Male Tennis Player: Roger Federer

Best Female Tennis Player: Sloane Stephens

Best Male Action Sports Athlete: David Wise

Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Chloe Kim

Best Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Mike Schultz

Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Brenna Huckaby

Best Bowler: Rhino Page

Best MLS Player: Nemanja Nikolic

Best NWSL Player: Megan Rapinoe

http://www.espn.com/espys/story/_/id/24134624/2018-espys-arthur-ashe-courage-award-goes-survivors-larry-nassar-sexual-abuse

New Michigan State AD Bill Beekman ‘laser-focused’ on helping students

Dan Murphy, ESPN Staff Writer

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State interim president John Engler decided the university had no need to conduct a national search for a new athletic director after receiving feedback on interim leader and longtime Spartans employee Bill Beekman.

Engler and a host of other Michigan State brass formally introduced Beekman as the school’s new permanent athletic director Monday morning.

Engler cited Beekman’s “calming presence” and his ability to handle legal and business matters as reasons for offering him the job.

“I think we could have looked across the country and been hard-pressed to find somebody that knows Michigan State the way Bill does with the qualities he has,” Engler said. “We ended up not needing to do a national search.”

Engler asked Beekman to serve as the interim athletic director in February shortly after he took over as the university’s interim president. The two men replaced former president Lou Anna Simon and former athletic director Mark Hollis after both resigned during the last week of January, the same week that dozens of sexual assault survivors chastised Michigan State in court for its culture and its administration’s response to sexual assault and violence against women.

Simon resigned the day former university doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in state prison for abusing his patients. Hollis resigned two days later, hours before an Outside the Lines report that detailed a pattern of denial, inaction and information suppression surrounding reports of assault involving Michigan State athletics.

Beekman said he plans to be “laser-focused” on the success of student-athletes in his role as athletic director. He said the university and the athletic department must do better to build a culture that places a priority on health, safety and wellness of its students in the wake of the Nassar scandal, which he referred to as some of the “darkest” years in Michigan State history.

The university has started a formal search process to replace Engler as the university’s president. He said Monday that he did not consider leaving the decision to hire a permanent athletic director for his eventual replacement.

Beekman is a Michigan State graduate who has worked at the university since 1995 in a variety of posts. He served as the secretary of the board of trustees, the executive director of the alumni association and an assistant dean for the College of Human Medicine, among other roles.

A month after assigning Beekman to a temporary role in the athletic department, Engler said he planned to conduct a national search for a new voice to lead Michigan State’s athletic department on a permanent basis. Members of Michigan State’s faculty, student body and community have held protests and signed petitions in the past six months asking the administration to hire outsiders to bring a fresh perspective to the university as it attempts to change its culture.

Engler said Monday that Beekman can “check the box” when it comes to providing a fresh perspective because his last 23 years at the university hasn’t included any previous work in athletics. Beekman said that improving the culture on campus is a “very, very high priority for me.”

“You can come up with all kinds of policies and procedures that can collect dust on the shelf, but you really have to believe it in your heart,” he said. “You have to think about it every day as you go through your day. That’s the culture piece.”

To those disappointed that Michigan State did not consider candidates from outside of East Lansing for the position, Beekman said: “Give us six months or a year and re-assess. I think you’ll be pleased.”

Beekman received unanimous support from the school’s board of trustees, according to chairman Brian Breslin. Football coach Mark Dantonio, men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo and women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant also provided votes of confidence for their new boss.

Dantonio said Beekman has been a unifying force for the athletic department in the past six months. Izzo said Beekman has been a good listener, a man of integrity and someone who understand the complexity of being a modern-day athletic director. He also stressed the importance of all of the university’s leaders agreeing on Beekman’s appointment.

“I think this time right now unanimous decisions are imperative as we heal and try to advance,” Izzo said.

Beekman, who has kept a low profile in his five months as an interim director, said he was initially surprised when Engler asked him to take over on a temporary basis in February because of his lack of experience in athletics. He said he has received help from fellow Big Ten athletic directors and conference commissioner Jim Delany in getting up to speed.

“As I met with the coaches and met with the student-athletes, it really became very rewarding,” Beekman said. “They’re easy people to work for. Certainly as the months progressed, I felt more comfortable in the role and thought that it would be a great challenge to take on.”

Photo: Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/24113508/new-michigan-state-spartans-athletic-director-bill-beekman-laser-focused-helping-students

Former MSU, Detroit Lions coach Darryl Rogers dies at 83

Associated Press

DETROIT — Darryl Rogers, who coached Michigan State to a share of the Big Ten title in 1978 and later took the helm for the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 83.

The Lions said Rogers’ family confirmed his death Wednesday.

Rogers coached Michigan State from 1976 to 1979, going 24-18-2. The 1978 team, which included star flanker Kirk Gibson, won its final seven games to finish tied for first in the conference.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Darryl Rogers and his family at this most difficult time,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement. “Coach Rogers won the 1978 Big Ten championship at Michigan State and was, in many ways, an offensive pioneer in college football. I was honored to have had the opportunity to talk to him a number of times throughout my time here and he was always very supportive. He loved Michigan State and will forever be a Spartan.”

Rogers also coached at Arizona State from 1980 to ’84 before heading to the NFL. He was with the Lions from 1985 to ’88.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Darryl,” Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford said. “On behalf of me, my family and the entire Detroit Lions organization, I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to his wife, Marsha, and the Rogers family.”

Rogers played wide receiver and defensive back at Fresno State and became the coach there in 1966. He also coached San Jose State from 1973 to 1975 before taking over at Michigan State.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24071979/darry-rogers-coached-michigan-state-arizona-state-detroit-lions-dies-83

Photo: Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Former Spartan Jackson drops 29 in Summer League debut

Associated Press

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s summer league debut couldn’t have gone much better.

The same can’t be said for Trae Young.

Jackson, the fourth pick in the NBA draft, outshined No. 5 overall pick Young in their first NBA action. The 6-foot-10 Jackson had 29 points and shot 8-of-13 from 3-point range to help the Memphis Grizzlies beat Young’s Atlanta Hawks 103-88 on Monday night in Salt Lake City.

Jackson hit his first two 3-pointers and was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half, including a buzzer-beater from midcourt to give his team a 47-41 lead. The 18-year-old Jackson showed the shooting stroke that made him a 40 percent 3-point shooter in college and scored 12 straight points during one stretch in the fourth quarter to help the Grizzlies pull away.

“I definitely felt hot at different spots during the game. If kind of felt surreal a little bit,” said Jackson, the team’s highest-drafted player since Hasheem Thabeet, who was No. 2 in 2009.

While Jackson was doing just about everything right, Young was having a miserable debut.

Young, who averaged 27.4 points last season for Oklahoma, missed all nine shot attempts in the first half, including six 3-pointers. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, whose draft rights were swapped with the Dallas Mavericks for No. 3 pick Luka Doncic, struggled to recover after air balls on his first two shots and finished with 16 points on 4 of 20 shooting.

He was 1-of-11 from beyond the arc.

GRIZZLIES 103, HAWKS 88

Kobi Simmons had 19 of his 21 points in the first half and finished 8-of-13 from the field for the Grizzlies, while second-round pick Jevon Carter chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

Tyler Dorsey led the Hawks with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Omari Spellman, one of Atlanta’s three first-round draft picks, had a solid showing with 11 points and six rebounds. Their other first-round pick, Kevin Huerter, did not play because of a wrist injury.

JAZZ 92, SPURS 76

Georges Niang scored 17 points, while first-round draft pick Grayson Allen had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Jazz. Tony Bradley had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Derrick White led the Spurs with 22 points and seven rebounds.

San Antonio’s top draft pick, Lonnie Walker IV, struggled in his debut, limited to seven points while shooting 3-of-16 from the field.

WARRIORS 79, HEAT 68

Kendrick Nunn had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Warriors in a game played in Sacramento, California.

Warriors first-round draft pick Jacob Evans did not play because of a bruised toe sustained in practice last week.

Derrick Jones Jr. had a big game for Miami with 24 points and 11 rebounds, including a monster two-hand dunk after slashing down the lane. Bam Adebayo added 14 points and 14 rebounds.

KINGS 98, LAKERS 93

Marvin Bagley III showed why he was the No. 2 pick, turning in a strong debut with 18 points and six rebounds for Sacramento on the Kings’ home floor.

Harry Giles made a successful debut after being held out of last season with knee injuries. Giles, the 20th overall pick in 2017, was 6-of-10 from the field and finished with 13 points and three rebounds.

De’Aaron Fox had 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Frank Mason III had 16 points, including a key 3-pointer late to help seal the win.

Josh Hart had 23 points for the Lakers before being ejected from the game with 1:04 left and his team trailing by four after picking up his second technical for disputing a call. Rookie Moritz Wagner had 23 points and seven rebounds.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23981528/jaren-jackson-jr-memphis-grizzlies-scores-29-summer-league-debut

Top photo: Rick Bowmer/AP Photo