Mormon Rugby Player Back in Australian National Rugby League

Nearly a year after he was banned for on-field indiscretions, Australian Rugby player and LDS Church member John Hopoate is preparing for a new season with Australia's National Rugby League starting February 16th. Chastened for his antics last year, Hopoate has promised not to repeat the incidents that won him international infamy and led to a 12-week ban covering the end of last season and costing him a winger position on Wests Tigers.

Can Coach Reid Reach Superbowl?

Andy Reid has already won the hearts of Philadelphia. His Eagles finished the regular NFL season with an 11-5 record, including a 7-1 record on the road, and reached the playoffs for the second year in a row. And, unlike last year, they have won first one, and now a second, playoff game, leaving the team just one win away from the NFL championship, the Superbowl. And should they beat the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Reid will become the first Mormon head coach to guide a professional team to the championship in his sport.

Football Winds Down with Mormon Coach Nearing Superbowl

With the NFL professional football season winding down, just two players and one coach are left on the four teams in the playoffs. But if Andy Reid's Philadelphia Eagles manage to pull out a win on Sunday over the St. Louis Rams, he will become the first LDS coach to reach the championships in any professional sport.

Nebraska Wrestler Sits Out Sundays

Returned missionary Justin Ruiz won't be present today at Nebraska's meet in Morgantown, West Virginia. Ruiz, who is ranked ninth in the nation at 197 pounds, doesn't compete on Sundays, which leaves his team in a bind. Husker Coach Mark Manning didn't know if he would be able to replace Ruiz for the match, "We might bump around," Manning said. "We're going to wait for the draw. We really don't have many options. We could bump up (184-pound starter) Travis Pascoe, but he's had the flu the last couple days."

Jorgensen Commits to Utah Stat

Pace Jorgensen, two-time Salt Lake Tribune all-star in Class 2-A, has committed to attend Utah State University. Jorgensen, who will turn 19 in October, plans to serve an LDS mission before enrolling at Utah State. The University has offered him a scholarship, and Jorgensen says, "I just liked the way Utah State's coaches treated me." Jorgensen is also a two-time state heavyweight wrestling champion.

USU Gets Local Quarterback Bohm

Star Logan High quarterback Ryan Bohm will play for his hometown Utah State University, according to his father. Bohm led his school to the 2000 state championship and the semifinals in 2001. He was contacted by 65 different schools interested in recruiting him because he is also an honors student. Bohm plans to serve an LDS mission before beginning his education at USU.

BYU Gets Commitment from East High Football Star

East High tight end William Tukuafu has apparently told BYU coach Gary Crowton that he will sign a letter of intent to attend BYU on February 6th, the first day such letters can be signed. Tukuafu caught 26 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns for East High last season. He also had 13 sacks and 56 tackles as a defensive end. He plans to serve an LDS mission before attending BYU.

Cougars Ranked Among Nation's Top Teams

Both Volleyball Magazine and the American Volleyball Coaches' Association today released their first official polls of the season. Volleyball Magazine placed the Cougars fifth behind Penn State, UCLA, Hawaii and Stanford, while the AVCA Coaches' Top-15 poll lists BYU as the No. 6 team. Penn State also leads that list with 10 first-place votes, while UCLA, Stanford, Pepperdine and Hawai'i round out the top five.

Tan, Russell, Adams, and Einfeldt Sweep MWC Honors

Four BYU athletes received all four Mountain West awards for their individual performances last week. The men competed against Iowa in Hawaii, then against Washington in Seattle. The women also competed against the Huskies and then traveled to Oregon State the very next day. The divers competed in the annual Arizona Invite against top competition from the West.

2002 Women's Gymnastics Season Outlook

After a disappointing finish to a record-setting 2001 season, the Cougars are hungry to learn from their mistakes and capitalize on this year's opportunities. The 2001 season saw BYU have its highest scoring season ever, end the regular season ranked at No. 11 in the nation and enter the West Regional as the No. 2 seed. The Cougars set new team records in all four events and looked for a strong finish at the end of the season.

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