Ford’s Recruiting Class Ranked: Head Coach Travis Ford has parlayed his team’s success last season into one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. The Colonels’ 2004 recruiting class was ranked No. 28 nationally in the final rankings by HoopScoop Online. HoopScoop Magazine is one of the most respected basketball recruiting sources in the nation. The class is the second-highest rated in the Ohio Valley Conference, falling behind only Murray State, which was rated 20th. Ford and his staff are certainly not resting on their laurels, though. The group is out on the road eyeing prospects for the class of 2005.

OVC Media Day Set: Danny Hope will appear at the annual Ohio Valley Conference Media Day on Monday, July 26 at The Coliseum in Nashville. Hope will join the league’s other coaches in the annual event, and will discuss his team’s prospects for the upcoming season. The event will also coincide with the release of the preseason All-OVC squad and the predicted order of finish. The day should also include comments about the league from OVC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher.

New Poll Debuts: A new I-AA poll made its debut this week and the Colonels were listed among the nation’s elite. Eastern Kentucky was ranked 22nd in the inaugural poll, giving EKU the distinction as the only OVC team to make the rankings. However, two of the team’s opponents were listed among the Top 25. Western Kentucky was ranked 14th, with Appalachian State coming in at No. 19. Jacksonville State was listed among others receiving votes. The poll is produced by AnyGivenSaturday.com, which the site touts as “the world’s largest online online community devoted to the NCAA Division I football subclassification I-AA.” The poll is produced by “distinguished members of the AGS Community” with guidelines for voter eligibility and accountability set forth by an advisory panel from AGS.

Baseball Colonels Garner Summer Awards: Two Colonel baseball players have been named All-Stars by their respective summer leagues. Here’s a rundown on those players and their accomplishments:

RHP McKenzie Willoughby (Vermont Mountaineers; New England Collegiate League)
Team has an overall record of 17-17 and ranks fifth in the standings, 6.5 games behind the leader … was named to the NECBL Northern Division All-Star team … posted a 2-0 record, a team-high seven saves and a 1.77 earned run average … leads the team with 15 appearances, all in relief … has allowed just eight hits, only one for extra bases, in 20.1 innings and four earned runs while striking out 28 … has held opponents to a .114 average.

OF Shawn Flora (Nashville Stingers; Sandlotter Wood Bat League)
The Stingers currently lead the National Division with an 18-4 overall record … was named to the National Division All-Star team … is batting .429 (12-for-28) in 10 games … leads the team with nine runs scored, six doubles and 18 total bases … has driven in a pair of runs and is second on the team with three stolen bases.