Hildebrandt Signs Pro Contract

Mitch Hildebrandt

Former Oakland goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, the 2009 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Stars of the North American Soccer League. The three-time All-Summit League selection will joining the defending NASL champions, who begin the 2012 campaign on April 7. To read more, view Oakland's release here.

IUPUI's Wirkkala Selected to Play in Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

IUPUI senior men's golfer Philip Wirkkala was recently selected to play in the 26th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on May 11-13. Wirkkala is among 35 individuals selected to play, along with 20 NCAA Division I and II teams from across the country.

It marks the fourth straight year he's been invited to play in the event. In addition to the tournament, participants have the opportunity to attend a Business of Golf Careers Expo at the PGA Education Center the day before the event tees off.

Wirkkala, a native of McCordsville, Ind., is enjoying his best season in an IUPUI uniform with a 78.32 stroke average in 22 rounds this year. Wirkkala fired a career-low round of 71 at the McLaughlin in mid-September, finishing that event with a career-best score of 221 (73-71-77). For his four-year career, he holds an 80.05 scoring average in 66 competitive rounds.

Click here to read the full release.

UMKC Men's Golf Featured on Golfweek

The UMKC men's golf team was recently featured on Golfweek's Web site in an article written by Ron Balicki.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – When you are a Division I program that year in and year out ranks among the top 40 or 50 teams, winning your conference championship is a matter of pride. You want conference bragging rights, at least for a year.

The fact that winning that conference title gives you an automatic invitation into the NCAA postseason is not a major concern. You’re all but guaranteed that invite by your season-long ranking.

But what if you’re not one of those teams?

“Winning the conference championship is a matter of personal pride, no matter how big or how small a school you are,” said Missouri-Kansas City coach J.W. VanDenBorn. “But for teams like us, there’s added pressure because we know it’s probably the only way to get into the NCAA postseason.”

Click here to read the full story.