It might not officially be spring yet, but the SLU men’s soccer team kicked off their spring season this past Saturday at Butler by playing the Bulldogs to a 1-1 tie. A second-half goal from Evan Southern off the assist of Stefan Stojanovic was the only netting in the first game of a five game spring slate. 

The Billikens are returning 24 players from the 2019 Fall campaign, and look to make improvements against a strong lineup this spring. Goalie Patrick Schulte, midfielder John Klein, defender Ben Huels and the rest of the SLU squad look to enhance their skills this spring against a competitive schedule. After the university’s spring vacation, SLU will take on local foe in Division II Maryville. The Saints will come to Hermann Stadium for a 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, March 21. Next, the Bradley Braves will visit St. Louis and challenge the Billikens on March 29. That game will be a Sunday matinee and is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff. 

The competition for the final two games of the spring portion of the schedule will be quite a bit stiffer for Coach Kevin Kalish and the Bills. The eight-time national champion and back-to-back defending Big Ten Conference Champion Indiana Hoosiers will face the SLU squad in Fenton, Missouri on Saturday April 4. The two teams will face off at World Wide Technology Park and begin play at 6:30 p.m. Indiana is again loaded with talent and led by freshman midfielder Aidan Morris who was named an All-American this past fall. The Hoosiers were bounced in the second round of the NCAA tournament in an overtime loss to UC Santa Barbara. 

After their clash in Fenton, the Billikens will close out their compact schedule with a contest against the Missouri State Bears. A formidable foe, the in-state rival defeated Denver in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing in the second round to the University of Central Florida. The Bears return two All-Americans in Josh Dolling and Kyle Hiebert. It will be a tough match for the Billikens, but a challenge that will only make them better. 

One notable omission from the spring schedule is STL FC. Traditionally, the two teams face off each spring, and the professional soccer club was originally slated to face the amatuer Billikens in 2020. Although, injuries and other concerns caused STL FC to cancel the game. SLU was not thrilled about the game cancellation, but there are no hard feelings. “It’s unfortunate not to get the opportunity to play STL FC, as our players would have grown from the experience,” stated head coach Kevin Kalish, “We wish them nothing but success with their upcoming season and are proud to represent Saint Louis soccer with them.”  

The Billikens may not have the opportunity to face off against STL FC, but they are still excited getting back in action. After a bitter end to the season in the A-10 tournament last fall, improving skills and gaining experience are two opportunities the spring portion of the season offers for the Billikens. Kalish and the staff are eager to evaluate their team and see how they stack up against competitive soccer clubs like Indiana and Missouri State. “This team has put in quality work over the winter months to prepare themselves for the upcoming slate of spring games.” mentioned Kalish. “We have assembled a well balanced spring schedule against other top programs that will test us and allow us to grow as a team as we prepare for the 2020 season.”

The Billikens journey to make it back to the NCAA tournament began with off-season practices this winter, and the spring schedule is the next step in that journey. As year number three of the Kalish era commences, excitement is building with each game played and recruit signed for Kalish. It is to be seen if that excitement leads to on-field success in the near future for the Billikens.

If given the hypothetical opportunity to go back in time and give her 8-year-old self advice for the future, junior Megan Ng would make sure that she proclaimed the following, “Continue to put in the hard work and long hours even if you feel like you are not having immediate progress; nothing is a waste of time.” Nowadays, Ng has little time to waste as a physical therapy major with a double minor in spanish and sports business on top of being an athlete for the Billiken Track and Cross Country teams.

Most students would consider obtaining a PT degree and competing as a Division I runner enough to float their boat, but the ambitious Ng chooses to maximize her time as a SLU student-athlete. She holds leadership positions in four organizations and is completing two minors. Ng is the Co-chair for the Mental Health and Wellness Commission, on the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), the Vice President of Philanthropy for Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), she leads the Junior PT class as a student representative and liaison to Doisy College administration and she is the Vice President of SLU’s Doctors Without Borders. Ng excels in the classroom, on the course, and in all aspects of life. She is a well-rounded individual who makes a positive impact in the SLU community and beyond. 

While most college athletes choose their school based on their sport prospects, the well-rounded Ng decided to focus her post-secondary choice based on academics and extracurricular programs, not her athletic abilities. Running in college was not her first priority. After choosing SLU’s direct-admit physical therapy program and arriving on campus in August of 2017, Ng reached out to former distance coach Tim Bradley to join the women’s team. Quickly, Ng was on the course and running in meets with the cross-country team a few weeks later. Ever since, the walk-on has been a dedicated member of the team putting in long hours running and lifting, spending time in the training room to recover, and making sure her diet is where it needs to be. She is the epitome of a great teammate and model student-athlete.

Ng stands out not because of her accomplishments or her LinkedIn profile, but because of her desire for those around her to succeed is the cream of her skill set. She thrives on seeing her teammates, classmates and friends do well in all of their endeavors. Her activities are permeated with her desire to help others become the best version of themselves. A simple question about her favorite running memory revealed Ng’s true passion. She stated, “I just really like watching my teammates succeed in what they do. It brings me a different type of happiness. It makes me happier than when I do well,” she said enthusiastically. 

Ng is a person who leads in her own way. She finds ways to make a difference in many people’s lives while doing so with joy and exuberance. She is someone you want on your team, and she is a role model for today’s youth. She puts her heart into everything she does whether that is in school, running, student organizations or something else. 

As a humble role-model, Ng was asked to give advice to young girls today who could be in her shoes. Ng’s response seemed to not only apply to young girls, but those of any age. Ng’s opinion on the mindsets of girls is to, “not be afraid to try hard in what you do. Don’t be afraid to put your best foot forward. Don’t be afraid of being judged because you’re a girl. Be proud of what you can do.” Ng has much to be proud of. She is the epitome of a true student-athlete, and she is a winner in all that she does.

Ng and the rest of the Billiken track team will be in action at the Medical Center Track the weekend of April 3-4for the Billiken Invitational. She is excited to get back outside and kick off the outdoor season with fresh air in late March at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic at SIU March 20. The Indoor track season and A-10 championships will wrap up at the end of February before the Billiken runners head outdoors.

The morning of Jan. 26, the world lost an all-time great. About 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles, a helicopter carrying NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, along with two of her AAU basketball teammates and their parents, crashed into a mountain side covered in thick fog. The group was travelling to the Mamba Sports Academy for a Sunday morning game. Tragically, all nine aboard the aircraft did not survive, including the pilot. Nine beautiful lives were all taken too soon.

Despite the other seven fatalities, the death of Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, caused the most grief for millions across the world. The 41-year-old Bryant was a star who was larger than life. Taken 13th in the 1996 NBA draft, the 18-year-old went on to win five championships, two Gold Medals and an MVP, make 18 All-Star appearances, score 81 points in a game and receive countless accolades over his twenty year career. His trademark “Mamba Mentality” pushed him, and those in his presence, to greatness in all aspects of life. “Kobe Bryant was a legend both on and off the court,” said women’s basketball head coach Lisa Stone.

Despite his unparalleled on-court legacy, Bryant transcended the game to millions around the world. From his own shoe brand, to his clutch shot-making ability, to coaching his daughter’s AAU team, many connected with and related to Bryant. He was a figure that millions desired to emulate but who they could never replicate. That connection with Bryant is why countless kids wore “Kobe’s”, yelled “Kobe!” when shooting a piece of trash into trash bins, wore the number 8 or 24, played with “Mamba Mentality” or even picked up a ball and became a basketball fan in the first place. As SLU sophomore Avery Resuali put it, “he was such a model for me as a youth athlete.” Kobe was what Jordan, Lebron, Shaq, Steph or D-Wade never were; he was a player that millions attempted to be like every day, on and off the court. “Kobe Bryant was a huge part of my family’s life, especially his work ethic and his mentality,” remarked women’s basketball player Myia Clark. He was the player who millions of young athletes strove to be like. At some point, every young athlete dreamed of being Kobe.

Bryant’s complete legacy is long and in some areas complicated. Almost a week after his death, ESPN was still mentioning Bryant with regularity. From his playing career as an amateur and professional, to a rape allegation and settlement in 2003 and a use of a homophobic slur in 2011, to his family life, his Oscar-winning film and his increased support for women’s sports after retirement, Bryant was a star who did so many great things, yet he was not without his missteps.

Bryant grew up before our eyes, literally and figuratively. The “Black Mamba” was a kid when he came into the public arena, and he died as a well-respected man leading the movement for the growth of women’s sport, specifically basketball.

The Black Mamba’s true legacy is not how many championships he won, things he did for women’s sports or the times he stepped out of line—it is a legacy that is of learning and growth each and every day. Bryant was never perfect. He missed shots. He got in legal trouble. He clashed with teammates. He was controversial at times. What made Bryant great was his ability to see and understand his faults and weaknesses of today while doing whatever it took to turn those faults and weaknesses into advantages and strengths for tomorrow. He never let yesterday define today. One moment never defined Bryant. He was an artist who painted an entire canvas; some areas of the canvas are not as pretty as some would like, but the work was a masterpiece, an unfinished one at that.

To finish Kobe’s masterpiece is the responsibility of all those who have ever shouted “Kobe” when shooting something. Using the Black Mamba’s example of improving every day and never settling for less than excellence is our responsibility now. To not let yesterday’s mistakes define us is our responsibility now. To grow and support women’s sports is our responsibility now. To be #GirlDads is our responsibility now. To always compete in anything we do is our responsibility now.

Continuing to follow in Bryant’s footsteps is how his masterpiece is finished. It is how his canvas becomes complete. It is how we truly cement his legacy as one of the greatest of all time, on and off the court.

As the first day of classes was in full swing at SLU, Major League Baseball completed and released their final report on the investigation of the Houston Astros for using impermissible technology to steal opponents signals. According to the report, the evidence was damning and several members of the Astros, current and past, were not left unscathed. Houston manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow were both hit with one year suspensions. Later in the day, Houston owner, Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow for their inaction to stop the events. The commissioner did not report that Hinch and Lunhow knew or assisted in the sign stealing, but he regarded their responsibility to manage players and coaches as the fundamental reason for their punishments.

According to the report issued by commissioner Rob Manfred, the Astros used a live feed camera mounted in center field to decode opposing catchers’ signs to the pitchers. This feed was sent to a video monitor just behind the Astros’ dugout and easily accessible by players and coaches. Once decoded, the signals would be relayed to the batter in several ways that increased throughout the season. Initially, the signals were relayed by a runner on second base, but then the method was changed to clapping, whistling and yelling before the practice of banging a trash can was adopted. For example the trash can would be banged once for a change-up, twice for a curveball, and not banged for a fastball. This allowed the hitter to know what type of pitch they would be facing, a tremendous advantage. According to SLU junior pitcher Colin Townsend, “If you know what pitch is coming, it is literally impossible to be fooled by a pitch.” Junior softball player Kat Lane agreed saying as a hitter, “If you pick the signs, I’ll take it.” The Astros’ use of technology to gain this advantage is a black eye for the sport.

As the report was completed, over 68 people were interviewed and 23 were Astros’

players. As part of a deal with the players, they were given immunity from punishment for their cooperation. The report stated many players admitted to participating in the scandal and acknowledged that they knew it was wrong but were never told to stop by Hinch, Lunhow or other coaches. Several players testified that Hinch knew about the event and Lunhow was involved in two email chains about the sign stealing. Other prominent names involved were former bench coach Alex Cora and player Carlos Beltrán. Once the report was released, both Cora and Beltrán split with their current organizations. After winning the 2018 World Series with the Red Sox, Cora was outed in Boston while Beltrán parted ways with the Mets after being hired in New York this past November. 

Now that the MLB report was released and punishments given, all eyes are now focused on how widespread the activity was and what its severity was. The MLB held off on punishing Cora for his role with the Astros because there is a current investigation involving an allegation the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 when they won the World Series. Are the Red Sox and Astros the only teams who used technology to steal signs? Were other ways used to transmit signs to hitters? One allegation was put forth by a twitter user claiming to be Carlos Beltrán’s niece and supported by user Jomboy (a prominent user who revealed the “banging” on video) and Reds’ pitcher Trevor Bauer. It stated that the Astros’ players wore electronic buzzers to relay the pitch type. This allegation has been vehemently denied by Astros’ players and the MLB, but it has also been explored and not refuted by MLB insiders Ken Rosenthal and Jeff Passan. 

As the Red Sox report is completed and further investigation continues, electronic sign stealing is the new “Steroids” for the MLB. It is something that threatens the integrity of the game and will need to be addressed by the League. “It’s a huge step back for the game. Overall do I think sign stealing is wrong? No. It’s part of the game and every catcher knows that. Do I think using technology that is not accessible to everyone to guarantee you know what pitch is coming is wrong? Yes, very,” said SLU Baseball catcher Ryan Hernandez. 

“It’s hot in here,” Adam panted to his dad 20 minutes into his training session with 2019 SLU Soccer alumnus Anthony Brown. They shared a quick laugh and a splash of water before the continual “thud” of the soccer ball enveloped the room again. 

   Brown graduated with a degree in finance and was able to get a job working at World Wide Technology, but the former soccer standout could not leave the sport that gave him so much. So when Brown’s pro trials did not land him in the MLS, Brown knew he needed to stay connected to the game and give back. So he started his own soccer training business called AB Technical Training—training athletes ranging from seven to twenty-two and even current professionals. 

   AB stands for Anthony Brown and technical refers to the specific type of training Brown teaches. “I’ve been there before, not being the best guy on the team,” said Brown, “I realized that I was behind” … “The technical ability just was not there. So I felt really insecure about it.” That is when he started practicing on his own with just a ball, a wall and some music in his basement.

   Brown started the company back in May but had been training kids before that. Brown was really able to kickstart the training program when his older brother, also a soccer coach, put in a good word and the good word spread like wildfire. 

   Brown has reformatted his business for the winter. The program consists of a six week package deal in group or individual sessions. Brown also offers something that is not as common in the soccer training market. He made it his mission to teach kids what he wishes he knew when he was young, giving them practical drills and knowledge they can use on their own. “I’m trying to sell everything that I didn’t know for players at that age” … “If I could go back as a young player with the knowledge that I know and the mentality I have, things would be so much different.”

   Part of what drew Brown to using his abilities to teach others came from his time at SLU. The team would spend every Saturday morning in the spring volunteering with the Special Needs Soccer Association. “We would play soccer with special needs children and just seeing how happy they were” … “It can be something so small and it can make someone’s day,” Brown recalled about his motivation.

   Brown is able to bring the hard work mentality and service focus he learned from his soccer experience as a youth and at SLU and merge them into a great business. Brown currently trains people on the side of his full time job, working from around 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., going home to grab food and change, training for clients and then training to keep himself in shape so he can keep playing soccer. 

   Brown remains dedicated to giving back to the soccer community in all he does. Whether it is his work at World Wide Technology or AB Technical Training, he is committed to living out SLU’s mission as a graduate. 

   That mission is passed on through the training Brown does. Jamon, one of Brown’s returning clients, is getting a lot out of the mission with incredible dedication and passion sweating from his focused face. 

   AB Technical Training is Brown’s passion and while he does not have plans to make it his full time job at the moment, he hopes at some point he will make it that big.

Coach Lisa Stone has continued to recruit well in her eighth season leading the women’s basketball team. From landing high-profile recruits like Jackie Kemph and Ciaja Harbison, to keeping local players like Brooke Flowers and Kendra Wilken close to home, Stone’s ability to land players who fit her program has been instrumental to the Billikens’ recent success. While Harbison was the A-10 rookie of the year for 2019, another newcomer is making an early case to keep that honor in St. Louis for the 2020 season. Freshman Rachel Kent has had a tremendous start to her Billiken career. The 5-foot-11 wing player from the Chicago suburbs has started every contest for the Billikens to this point while remaining on the floor an average of 35.5 minutes a game. 

   With a tough, defensive-minded philosophy,Stone expects her players to play fundamentally on both sides of the basketball. 

   Well-rounded players who make intelligent decisions excel in Stone’s system, and Kent checks all the boxes. She is not ultra-athletic, but Kent has a “nose for the ball” and plays excellent help-side defense, a must in the Pack-Line defense. Kent can guard one through four and is rarely overmatched defensively. 

   On the other end of the court, Kent’s stats speak for themselves. She is shooting 39 percent from the field and 45 percent from behind the arc. Her 13.1 points per game leads the Billikens while she also averages just under four rebounds and 2.25 assists. Kent is a key contributor to the team in all facets of the game.

   Kent credits off-season workouts for giving her “a feel for the team and a feel for the pace of the game” to help with the transition to Division 1 basketball. Adapting to the faster pace of the college game, and performing well at the “3” guard spot that was long-filled by SLU’s all-time 3-point leader, Jordyn Frantz, is no small feat. Although, it has been easier due to a “next-play” mentality and “having teammates who are there for us.” remarked Kent. She credits those teammates for helping her maintain the necessary confidence throughout the ups and downs of a game. 

   Kent’s ability to shoot well from deep while being a threat off the dribble, not only proves fruitful for the physical therapy major, but it also takes defensive pressure away from the Billikens’ leading threat—Harbison. 

   Kent is a quality complement to Harbison’s dribble penetration and the respectable post threats of Wilken and Flowers. She allows for the offense to have at least three options to score every possession. Despite early success, she is still quick to assert areas that can be improved. “Finishing at the rim, ball-handling, and finding open teammates,” are just a few of the topics Kent mentioned. With a focus on those areas of improvement, it is exciting to think about the potential player Kent could become and the potential success the Billikens could have with pieces like Harbison, Flowers and Jaidah Stewart.

   Every now and then, a player comes along that just fits a particular program. A “program-player” so to speak. Kent is that “program-player” Stone has been searching for, the epitome of the player needed for the program to excel. The soft-spoken, yet confident Freshman never takes a play off and rarely makes a bad decision, on or off the court. 

   The even-keeled Kent knows her role, and feels comfortable as a Billiken. “The coaches are true. They’re genuine.” stated Kent. She trusts the staff and her teammates, while those around her have much faith in the guard. The Billikens women’s basketball team and Rachel Kent are just a good match, “like peas and carrots,” as Forrest Gump would say.