Wednesday night WSU announced that freshman Chris Abercrombie was granted his release from the men’s basketball program so he can return to New Zealand. Abercrombie plans to continue his education and his basketball career in his homeland.

“Thomas will be missed,” Bennett said in a news release. “We are grateful for his two years with us and the contributions he made to our program both as a redshirt and this season.”

Abercrombie spent two seasons at WSU, redshirting in 2006-2007 and appeared in 12 games last year. He also suited up for New Zealand at the World University Games.

“Thomas was a tremendous asset in practice with his great athleticism,” Bennett said in the release. “He was one of the most-liked players amongst his teammates and is a first-rate young man and an excellent student.“

According to various posts on Facebook, Abercrombie may be transferring to Auckland University and has already returned home to New Zealand.

Beginning in the fall of 2008, you will see a whole new look on the Evergreen sports blog.

The incoming sports staff will be enhancing the multimedia content, bringing you breaking news from a variety of fresh perspectives and giving you an inside look at WSU athletics that you simply won’t be able to find anywhere else.

In the meantime, stay informed by visiting our regular online page, which will be updated throughout the summer as news breaks.

Thanks.

The WSU football program wrapped up its spring football schedule with a lively practice at Martin Stadium on Saturday in front of roughly 1,000 fans. Gary Rogers was 12-19 passing including two touchdown tosses.

In other football-related news, starting offensive lineman Andrew Roxas was arrested early Sunday for DUI. The 19-year-old Roxas joins Xavier Hicks, A’i Ahmu and Trevor Mooney on the list of football arrests this semester.

The WSU baseball program has been looking for a signature victory under fourth-year head coach Donnie Marbut, and it was one strike away from having it - but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Arizona State Sun Devils scored eight times in the top of the ninth inning - all via the longball - and devastated the Cougars 16-13 at a sun-soaked Bailey-Brayton field on Sunday.

Former Parade All-American running back James Montgomery has decided to transfer to WSU, the Sacramento Bee is reporting.

Montgomery, who attended Cal for two years, will sit out a season at WSU and become eligible to play beginning in 2009. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound back rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the Golden Bears in 2007.

And photographer Kevin Quinn took a bunch of photos for a slideshow and some moron web editor didn’t put it up for three days.

Yeah, wait. That’s just happening now. Click above to watch.

In breaking news this afternoon, the Spokesman-Review is reporting that Tony Bennett entered into preliminary discussions with Indiana University Sunday but withdrew his name from consideration and plans to remain at WSU.

We will be monitoring this story as more information becomes available.

In a statement released Saturday night, Athletic Director Jim Sterk reiterated comments he made earlier to The Daily Evergreen regarding WSU men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett. Sterk, who according to Bennett’s contract must give permission for any other basketball team to enter negotiations with him, said he has not been contacted by any other university.

“Regarding the status of Tony Bennett, I have not been contacted by any other university asking for permission to speak with Tony. This past week we completed another tremendous basketball season, capped by a ‘Sweet 16′ appearance, and we are excited to have Tony Bennett as our basketball coach and about the future of our program.”

Athletic Director Jim Sterk told the Evergreen late Saturday afternoon that WSU Sports Information will likely release a statement about Bennett’s future late Saturday. He said Bennett has not been offered a contract by any other university.

Per Bennett’s contract with WSU, Sterk must be notified of any offer, but third parties can attempt to reach Bennett directly. The contract states that Sterk must give his permission for Bennett to discuss offers with other schools.

Sterk said although he must be notified directly, “that doesn’t mean that there’s not other people going around saying things to him, or trying to get to him or family members.”