Northwest Notes Feb. 19, 2021

NIC sports — except wrestling — still playing waiting game

The Northwest Athletic Conference has delayed the starting date of potential competition to April 1.

North Idaho College, which has all but one of its programs in the NWAC, was originally planning to start playing in March.

The NJCAA, which the wrestling program belongs to, currently allows competition, but many of NIC’s northwest opponents are unable to practice or compete in their respective states nor are they allowed to travel at this time.

NIC's wrestling team officially opens its season today when the Cardinals host Southwestern Oregon Community College at 3 p.m. NIC hosts Clackamas Community College on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Only athletes, coaches, and game personnel will be allowed at NIC home contests in Christianson Gymnasium. Both upcoming wrestling matches will be live streamed at youtube.com/nicathletics.

Information: nicathletics.com

Indians announce 120-game schedule for debut in High-A baseball

SPOKANE — The Spokane Indians are scheduled to open their inaugural High-A West baseball season at home on Tuesday, May 4 against the Eugene Emeralds for the start of a 120-game season, with 60 games at Avista Stadium.

Under Major League Baseball's new player development system, an emphasis has been put on reducing travel for teams and increasing off days. The Indians will face one team each week in a six-game series starting on Tuesday and ending on Sunday. Monday has been designated a travel day across the league.

There are no playoffs for the 2021 season across all of Minor League Baseball. The Indians' regular season home schedule concludes on Sunday, Sept. 5 against the Tri-City Dust Devils. Spokane will finish the year on the road against the Everett AquaSox on Sunday, Sept. 19.

A promotional schedule and game times will be announced at a later date.

Complete Indians schedule: milb.com/spokane/schedule/2021-05

Zags add men's basketball games with Santa Clara, LMU

SPOKANE — The West Coast Conference has modified the league schedule and the Gonzaga men’s basketball team will now host Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount on Feb. 25 and 27.

The Feb. 25 game against Santa Clara will tipoff at 4 p.m., and be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The LMU game on Feb. 27, will be televised by an ESPN Network that will be finalized at a later date, at 7 p.m.

EWU now allowing limited number of family members at home games

As a result of the region being moved into phase 2 of the "Healthy Washington—Roadmap to Recovery" plan, Eastern Washington University will begin allowing a limited number of family members into Eagle basketball and volleyball games at Reese Court in Cheney, Eastern Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey said.

"Given the opportunity to have additional people in attendance, we felt it was important for the family members of our student-athletes to be able to watch them compete in-person," said Hickey. "This is the most fair opportunity to utilize the limited seats we have available, following public health protocols and state mandates."

Only immediate family members of Eastern's coaching staff and competing student-athletes will be allowed entry via a pass list, and they will sit in a special seating section at Reese Court. Masks will be required to be worn at all times. Eastern is allowed to have a maximum of 200 people at the events — including student-athletes, coaching and support staff — which does not allow adequate space and conditions for the general public to attend at this time.

This will also apply to home football games, which are scheduled to begin March 6 at Roos Field in Cheney. These are expected to be limited to the same capacity requirements, and will be quickly filled exclusively by competitors and event staff.

At this time, Eastern has no availability to sell or provide tickets at opponent sites, including football. Fans interested in attending away games should contact the ticket offices of the host institution for availability.

Hickey said the fluid situation with the Covid-19 pandemic could change at a moment's notice, and EWU will do its best to safely accommodate others if and when the state permits.