At a surprise news conference on Saturday Bob Harlan announced that he would remain Green Bay Packers chairman and CEO. This came just days before John Jones was to fill those positions. Jones has been placed on a leave of absence with the team and it is believed the Packers executive committee will now search for a new person to become Packers chairman and CEO.

 

UW-Stout has hired 38 year-old Joe Harlan as it's new athletic director. Joe was the women's cross-country and track coach this past year.

 

The UWEC softball team finished 3rd at the recently completed NCAA softball championships in Salem, Virginia. The third place finish is the Blugolds highest finish ever and West Wisconsin Sports salutes the Golds on a memorable season. Designated player Mallory McKinney, SS  Mandy Tschernach, and 2B Casey Leisgang were named to the 13 player all-tournament team.

 

UWEC won the 2006-2007 WIAC  Women's All Sports competition. It is the 7th time the Blugold women have won the award and the first since 2003.

 

The Eau Claire Cavaliers opened their 2007 season with a doubleheader win over the St. Paul Merchants. Scott Fern (EC Memorial) and Aaron Achtenberg (EC North) secured the wins on the mound. The 2007 Cavaliers a who's who in terms of local talent and familiar names. In addition to Fern and Achtenberg they have as of this writing (name and high school they attend/attended), Ty Fadness (EC Memorial ), Dan Olson (EC North ), Travis Helland (Baldwin-Woodville), Cole Kraft ( Menomonie ), David Oestreich (Chippewa Falls ), Rob Rybicki (EC North ), Matt Miller ( EC Memorial ), Phil Isaksson ( EC North ), Cory Hastings ( Menomonie ), Troy Peiffer ( EC Memorial ), and Garret Nix ( Osseo-Fairchild ).  You can see the Cavaliers 2007 schedule on our homepage....just click on the link to our Cavaliers section.

 

Barron native Jon Bjelland has signed with Arizona Diamondbacks. The people of the Chippewa Valley may remember him from last summer when the southpaw pitched for the Eau Claire Express. Jon is expected to fly out to Tuscon, Arizona for some extended spring training and then go to one of the Diamondbacks minor league teams after that.

 

Senior Mollie Bjelland of Grantsburg will lead the undefeated Pirates to Chippewa Falls Mcdonell on Thursday as they take on the Prescott Cardinals who are the cinderella team of the tournament. Mollie will be attending Winona State University this fall and will participate in volleyball and softball.

 

Webster native Jerrod Washburn notched his 5th victory of the season on Sunday and lowered his ERA to a respectable 3.22  as the Seattle Mariners beat Kansas City 7-4.

 

Senior Adam Hexum from Hayward will be attending the University of Minnesota in the fall and participating in the Gophers track & field team next season.

 

Whitehall will be a school to watch at this weekend's WIAA state track&field championships in La Crosse in Division 3. The girls and boys teams have been strong all season. Come on back to this website for all the results from La Crosse.

 

Finally, several dozen trees were recently planted at Pheasant Hills Golf Club in Hammond, WI. You can see the course and reserve your tee time online at www.pheasanthillsgolf.com