Spring Break
Column: Summer watch list
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Sports
This is the spot reserved for the end of the year sports column.
I've been a part of the sports staff for six semesters one way or another, and each year covering athletics is a unique opportunity.
If you check out today's end-of-the-year coverage, those are some of the top moments. Not everything is covered in that timeframe.
There are summer storylines to keep an eye on as well.
NFL Prospects:
Former Eastern defensive end/linebacker Pierre Walters will be entering the Kansas City Chiefs mini-camps and practice camps this summer. He has signed a three-year, six figure contract, but nothing's a guarantee. He is an undrafted free agent and following him will be exciting as he tries to follow Dallas Cowboys quarterback/former Eastern quarterback Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent in the NFL.
Also, it will be critical to keep an eye on Micah Rucker. The former Eastern All-American wide receiver signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants in January.
The Giants drafted two wide receivers in the draft, so we'll have to wait and see.
Rucker was originally signed to the Giants' practice squad on Dec. 3 after spending time at the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. He also spent the beginning of the NFL season as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh terminated his contract on Sept. 8. Rucker was on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad from Sept. 23-30.
Galligan watch:
Eastern senior forward Rachel Galligan will be playing overseas somewhere.
The questions is when she will get a call.
Galligan should know about mid-May or early June.
"I honestly don't think it's a matter of if, but when," said Eastern head coach Brady Sallee.
Galligan will leave Eastern as one of the most decorated players in the history of women's basketball.
Spring sports coverage
The Eastern track and field men's and women's teams won the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
But let's see if any of the athletes can qualify to the NCAA Championships at the NCAA Regionals.
This includes red-shirt freshman Zye Boey, who went to the indoor nationals in March, and has already hit qualifying times for the NCAA Regionals.
Softball has qualified for the OVC Tournament later this week, and the baseball team is in good position with seven games remaining.
Last season, the baseball team made a run in the OVC Tournament and reached the NCAA Regionals.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
I've been a part of the sports staff for six semesters one way or another, and each year covering athletics is a unique opportunity.
If you check out today's end-of-the-year coverage, those are some of the top moments. Not everything is covered in that timeframe.
There are summer storylines to keep an eye on as well.
NFL Prospects:
Former Eastern defensive end/linebacker Pierre Walters will be entering the Kansas City Chiefs mini-camps and practice camps this summer. He has signed a three-year, six figure contract, but nothing's a guarantee. He is an undrafted free agent and following him will be exciting as he tries to follow Dallas Cowboys quarterback/former Eastern quarterback Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent in the NFL.
Also, it will be critical to keep an eye on Micah Rucker. The former Eastern All-American wide receiver signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants in January.
The Giants drafted two wide receivers in the draft, so we'll have to wait and see.
Rucker was originally signed to the Giants' practice squad on Dec. 3 after spending time at the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. He also spent the beginning of the NFL season as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh terminated his contract on Sept. 8. Rucker was on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad from Sept. 23-30.
Galligan watch:
Eastern senior forward Rachel Galligan will be playing overseas somewhere.
The questions is when she will get a call.
Galligan should know about mid-May or early June.
"I honestly don't think it's a matter of if, but when," said Eastern head coach Brady Sallee.
Galligan will leave Eastern as one of the most decorated players in the history of women's basketball.
Spring sports coverage
The Eastern track and field men's and women's teams won the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
But let's see if any of the athletes can qualify to the NCAA Championships at the NCAA Regionals.
This includes red-shirt freshman Zye Boey, who went to the indoor nationals in March, and has already hit qualifying times for the NCAA Regionals.
Softball has qualified for the OVC Tournament later this week, and the baseball team is in good position with seven games remaining.
Last season, the baseball team made a run in the OVC Tournament and reached the NCAA Regionals.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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