Seawanhaka Sports Rundown - March 26, 2022
Updated: Feb 14
The Seawanhaka Sports Rundown is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in sports news at the local, state, and national, and international level.
By: MADISON MCCARTHY / SPORTS CO-EDITOR
Post MLB Lockout Free Agency Paydays
The end of the MLB lockout reopened the free-agent and trade markets giving way to roster changes across the league. The 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves acquired Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics with the A’s acquiring Cristian Pache, Shea Langeliers, Ryan Cusick, and Joey Estes. The trade for first baseman Matt Olson ends the fifteen-year tenure of Freddie Freeman. The franchise icon signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the L.A. Dodgers returning the California Native to the West Coast. Another Free Agent, Kyle Schwarber has found a new home with the Philadelphia Phillies signing a four-year, $79 million contract, per mlb.com. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, an hour after signing the deal Schwarber’s wife went into labor. “It was definitely a whirlwind. But it was probably the best day of my life, to be able to sign that deal and then be able to go right to the hospital to see your kid being born. It’s crazy how you can fall in love with something so instantly. It was definitely the best day of my life.” Schwarber said in a press conference on Monday.
Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches Poll
LIU Men’s track and field was polled fourth in the 2022 Northeastern Conference's Outdoor Track & Field Coaches' poll and the women’s program was tabbed for fifth. On the Men’s side, Wagner took the top spot with eight first-place votes, followed by Mount St Mary’s in second, and Fairleigh Dickinson in third with two first-place votes. On the Women’s side, the poll was a tight race with Fairleigh Dickinson in the top spot with four first-place votes and Saint Francis University in second with three first-place votes. Central Connecticut took the third spot with two first-place votes followed by Mount St. Mary’s in fourth. The Sharks took the fifth spot beating out Sacred Heart University which received one first-place vote. Both the Men’s and Women’s open their outdoor season competing at the Texas Relays from Wednesday, March 23 through Saturday, March 26.
Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill Heads to Miami
Wide receiver and former Kansas City Commanders player, Tyreek Hill, has been traded to the Miami Dolphins after signing a four-year, $120 million extension made up of $72.2 million guaranteed and $52.535 million at signing according to ESPN. The contract makes Hill the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver ahead of Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams signed a five-year, $28 million per season, and $65.67 million fully guaranteed just a week before Hill signed with the Raiders per ESPN. The Chiefs received five draft picks in the trade including a 2022 first-round pick (No. 29), a second-round pick (No. 50), and a fourth-round pick, plus fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft.
LIU Men’s Ice Hockey Sends Five Players to Professional Leagues
LIU Men’s Ice Hockey had five athletes sign contracts to play in the East Coast Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League after completing their careers with the Sharks. Graduate Student Billy Jerry signed the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL following the 2021-22 season, already scoring his first goal. Senior Max Beilinson completed his 2nd season with the Sharks and signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL. Senior Derek Osik completed his second season at LIU with career highs in goals and assists. Osik signed his professional contract with the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL. Carson Musser completed his Graduate year with the Sharks with four goals and eight assists and recently signed a deal with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL, the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. Most recently Jordan Timmons signed his deal with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. Timmons previously played for Robert Morris University and the University of Connecticut but joined the Sharks for the 2021-22 Season scoring eight goals and collecting eight assists.
NCAA Women’s March Madness
The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament is finally branded as "March Madness" for the first time ever. Post-season play for NCAA Women’s Basketball has been called “NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament” since 1982, while the Men's playoff was titled with the iconic “March Madness." Last year’s tournaments were surrounded by controversy when photos and videos of the women’s post-season tournament went viral displaying a vast disparity in accommodations for the women’s programs compared to the men's. In September of 2021, the NCAA announced that this year’s tournament would be branded as “March Madness." “That was one of the recommendations from a comprehensive external review of gender equity issues in connection with NCAA championships, including issues that arose during the 2021 Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships," the NCAA reported in their September 29, 2021 press release. While branding and accommodations for the women's teams have improved, many athletes and coaches agree that more can still be done.