Not that many people will pay attention or care, but Michigan State beat Michigan 2-1 in softball Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament in Evanston, Illinois.  That is an enormous upset.  Michigan is a top ten team and buried the Spartans twice during the regular season.  The Spartans were a mere 26-28 coming in and were the 7th seed in the 8-team event.  Michigan goes home and awaits the NCAA tournament pairings.  MSU plays in the semi finals and needs to win the Big Ten Tournament to get a bid.  That's not likely because the top seed, Northwestern, not likely has clear sailing to the title.  But it a noteworthy win to be sure for the MSU team.

     The CAAC senior scholar/athlete night has only gotten better each year during its five year run.  It was held Wednesday night at Fowlerville, one of the 26 league schools and it goes to a different schools each spring.  Each school sends ten seniors who have lettered in two sports and have the highest grade points from among that group.  That's 260 kids plus parents and friends and it's always impressive each year.  Haslett athletic director Jamie Gent was given a special award for his longtime service and he received a standing ovation.  Former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr was the speaker and it's a busy week for him.  Carr speaks at the Albion College Commencement on Saturday morning.  He speaks to a U-M alumni group in China next month.  Two Holt football players received $1,000 scholarships for their volunteer work last fall to help clean up tornado damage in Williamston.  It is a tremendous night and the CAAC presents its program very well.  Kudos to all involved.

     What I didn't know about Lloyd Carr:  When George Perles nearly became the MSU football coach in 1980, Carr likely would have joined his staff as an assistant coach.  But George was finally passed over in favor of Muddy Waters.  When George did get the job in 1983, Carr was already an assistant for Bo Schembechler at Michigan and his chances of changing schools in the state were wiped out.  Who knows how Carr's career might have played out had Perles become head coach after Darryl Rogers departed following the 1979 season for Arizona State.

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