Chadron (Neb.) State football will again be among the NCAA Division II national powers this season, according to the American Football Coaches Association. The Eagles on Monday were ranked No. 10 in the AFCA preseason coaches poll, topping all Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams.
Grand Valley State (Mich.) was tabbed No. 1. RMAC entrants Colorado Mines and Nebraska-Kearney also received votes in the poll.
Ballyneal lands honor.
Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Club in Holyoke was ranked by Golf Magazine the 24th-best golf course in the world built in the past 50 years. The rankings, to be released in the magazine’s 50th anniversary issue, follow other listings in the “top 100 courses in the world” and “best new courses” rankings.
“Ballyneal is a special place for golfers who relish the challenge of no hole ever playing the same twice,” said Rupert O’Neal, who founded the course with his brother, Jim.
The Tom Doak-designed Ballyneal opened in 2006. Sand Hills in Mullen, Neb., was ranked No. 1.
Colorado Eagles, Lightning agree.
The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League entered into an affiliation agreement with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. What that means for both teams will be announced later, the Eagles said.
Tampa Bay will face the Phoenix Coyotes in a preseason game at the Eagles’ Budweiser Events Center in Loveland on Sept. 23.
DU men’s soccer team coaches’ choice.
The University of Denver men’s soccer team was projected to win the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title after a poll of the league’s coaches.
The Pioneers, who won their first MPSF title last season, received five of eight first-place votes. New Mexico was picked to finish second.
• The Denver women’s soccer game against Wyoming on Saturday was moved and will be played at Regis University.
UNC to face Lobos in opener.
The Northern Colorado women’s basketball team will start its season on Nov. 13, when the Bears travel to Albuquerque to face New Mexico in the Women’s NIT. The Bears start their Big Sky Conference slate Jan. 2 in Greeley against Northern Arizona.
Poll rates RMAC volleyball favorites.
The Nebraska- Kearney volleyball team was picked to win the RMAC East Division and overall regular-season title in a poll of the league’s coaches. Western New Mexico was tabbed to win the West Division.
