Northwest Notes: Dec. 31, 2021

| December 31, 2021 1:10 AM

Gonzaga men call off

Saturday's game due to COVID

Gonzaga announced that Saturday's men's basketball game at Loyola Marymount has been postponed due to the University's health and safety protocols within the Bulldogs program.

Gonzaga is working with the West Coast Conference and LMU to reschedule the impacted game.

Thursday's conference opener at San Diego was postponed earlier this week due to COVID issues.

Gonzaga's next scheduled game is Jan. 6 at home against San Francisco.

Zag women's COVID pause

extend into next week

The women's basketball game between Gonzaga and Santa Clara, scheduled for Jan. 8 in Spokane, has been postponed due to COVID-19 within the Santa Clara program.

Gonzaga had its first two conference games postponed due to COVID within its program this week.

Gonzaga is scheduled to play at Portland next Thursday.

Venable resigns from

Boise State football

Boise State running backs coach and player development director Winston Venable is stepping down from his position to pursue other opportunities, head coach Andy Avalos announced Thursday.

“Winston is one of the greatest players to suit up for Boise State, and has done a tremendous job of mentoring not only our running backs, but every young man that has chosen to play for the Broncos over the last several years,” Avalos said. “Although he is leaving his current role, he will always be part of this brotherhood and I know he will find a way to continue to impact our student-athletes.”

Venable completed his second season as running backs coach in 2021, and had served as the Broncos’ player development director from 2018-19 and in 2021.

Venable starred at linebacker at Boise State during the 2009-10 seasons. In his debut campaign with the Broncos, his interception in the final minute sealed a 17-10 victory over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to come back and impact a program that helped shape who I am today,” Venable said. “The lessons I learned from being a Bronco — as a coach, staff member and student-athlete — will be with me for the rest of my life.