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Bell returns to Gonzaga

as graduate assistant

SPOKANE — Gonzaga men’s basketball announced its graduate assistant positions for the 2019-20 season Monday. Jorge Sanz will be the team’s video coordinator in his second year as a graduate assistant, while Gary Bell Jr., will begin his first season.

Bell makes his return to the Zags after a standout career from 2011 to 2015. He was named the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-West Coast Conference second team in 2015. The Kentridge, Wash., native was tabbed honorable mention All-WCC in 2013, and to the league’s All-Freshman team in 2012.

Bell scored 1,291 points in his GU career, and ranks eighth in program history with 219 made 3-pointers. After Gonzaga, he played professionally in Poland, France and Greece.

Sanz made an impact with the Zags during last season’s run to the Elite Eight. This season, he will be given the Bulldogs’ video coordinator responsibilities.

A native of Zaragoza, Spain, Sanz was in charge of video operations for Florida Atlantic University beginning in 2010. He was then promoted to an assistant coach position in 2016. During his time at FAU, the Owls won the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and advanced to the National Invitation Tournament for the first time in school history.

Idaho grads Hall, Ferenz

named Big Sky Scholar-Athletes

OGDEN, Utah — Recent University of Idaho graduates Ed Hall and Mikayla Ferenz each received the 2018-19 Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athlete Award, the conference office announced on Monday.

Hall wrapped up his career with the Vandals with a number of accolades. Hall earned Football Championships Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team honors in the fall. He also picked up his second consecutive CoSIDA Academic All-District first team recognition.

On the field, Hall finished his career with 239 tackles, including 61 as a senior. His academic work has also transcended the classroom. Hall’s work on the Forever Shower, a shower targeted to recreational vehicles that uses filtered, recycled water, with fellow engineers and finance students has won entrepreneurial and innovation awards across the region.

Ferenz closed out her senior season by claiming the Big Sky’s all-time scoring record on the women’s side and earning Big Sky Player of the Year honors. The Vandals took home the regular season championship and made a run to the third round of the 2019 WNIT.

Off the court, Ferenz earned CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honors for the second consecutive season and was named the Team Member of the Year. She was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. Ferenz recently signed her first professional contract, with AB Contern in Luxembourg.

To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must have a minimum grade-point-average of 3.2, be a member of the graduating class and/or have completed his/her last year of intercollegiate athletic eligibility, have completed at least two years of intercollegiate competition and be a letterwinner.