Eagle football top fund-raising school at Polar Plunge

The Eastern Washington University football team won the award as the top fundraising school at Saturday’s (Feb. 23) Polar Plunge at Liberty Lake.

A group of about 20 players helped raise approximately $700 for Special Olympics, and were led by linebacker Ronnie Hamlin, offensive guard Steven Forgette and center Ashton Miller. Eastern athletics academic advisor Jim Fitzgerald and faculty athletic representative Laurie Morley also took the plunge.

The Polar Plunge required participants to jump into the frigid waters of Liberty Lake and wade out about 20 yards. It is a fundraising effort organized by law enforcement agencies throughout the state benefiting Special Olympics Washington. According the group’s website, more than $40,000 was raised online in advance of the event, plus additional money collected at the event itself.

EWU, Selkirk meet in key BCIHL games

Eastern Washington University’s men’s hockey team will try to find the magic that earned them a rare 5-1 victory Feb. 17 over league leading Selkirk College (20-2-0) in a home-and-home series of British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League games this weekend.

The teams play Friday at 7 p.m. at the University Recreation Center and then close out the regular season Saturday in Castlegar. Bret Kellogg got a pair of goals for the Eagles in the teams’ last meeting.

On the line for Eastern (8-13-0-1) is the fourth and final playoff berth as the Eagles are tied with the University of Victoria for that final berth. U Vic meets last place Trinity Western in their final two games.

Should the Eagles claim the spot they would meet Selkirk in the first round of the playoffs.

Matt Nichols ankle

surgery is a success

Edmonton Eskimo and former Eastern Washington University quarterback Matt Nichols underwent successful surgery Feb. 7 to remove a screw from his left ankle. He is recovering on schedule and is projected to fully participate in training camp this June. 

Nichols dislocated the ankle on Nov. 11 during the third quarter of the Eastern semifinal playoff game against the Toronto Argonauts.

 “Our medical staff is monitoring Matt closely and feels confident he will be ready to compete in training camp,” Eskimo head coach Kavis Reed said.