Northwest Notes Jan. 29, 2022
NIC basketball coaches participate in Coaches vs. Cancer today
COEUR d'ALENE — North Idaho College will be participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign today at the basketball games between NIC and Yakima Valley College, starting at 2 p.m. for the women and 4 p.m. for the men at Rolly Williams Court.
The coaches of the opposing teams will be wearing sneakers with their suits/dress attire for this nationwide effort to raise awareness and to encourage people to educate themselves on the importance of prevention, screening and early detection of cancer, all while raising funds to help save lives.
The NIC athletic department will be accepting donations throughout both games and will host halftime games in an attempt to raise funds. Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty will match NIC’s fundraised dollars up to $500. All proceeds will go to Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services to support local cancer research, services and awareness, and promote cancer prevention efforts. Only cash and check donations can be accepted. Checks can be made out to Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services.
Idaho to play spring football game in Treasure Valley
Idaho football will host its annual spring football game in the Treasure Valley at Eagle High’s Thunder Stadium on April 30, Vandal coach Jason Eck announced at the Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala in Boise on Friday night.
The move to the Treasure Valley was necessitated because improvements that will be made to the Kibbie Dome this spring would have kept the spring game from being played on the Vandals’ home field. The Vandals could have played the game on the practice field without fans, but instead took the opportunity to travel to Idaho’s biggest alumni base.
“We are really excited to bring the team down to the Treasure Valley this year,” Eck said. “It is a unique opportunity to get in front of our alumni base and fan base in this area.”
Current plans include a kids’ football clinic, a pep rally and more. The final schedule will be released at a later date.
Eagle High became the first high school to install an artificial turf football field in the state when it was installed in 2006. The current Sprinturf was installed in 2017.
Former Chiefs captain Fram named to Chinese Olympic hockey team
Jason Fram, a former Spokane Chiefs defenseman, team captain and Top 35 Chief in 35 Years, was named to the Chinese National Team for the upcoming 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Fram, who starred for the Chiefs from 2011-16, has played the last three seasons with Beijing-based HC Kunlun Red Star of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Through 48 games this season, he has 14 points (4G-10A).
Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Fram played 308 regular season WHL games, all with Spokane, putting him 10th in franchise history. He piled up 187 points (32G-155A) including 108 (21G-87A) in his final two seasons, putting him t-13th in assists among all-time Chiefs and 3rd among Spokane defensemen. Fram also appeared in 35 playoff games and earned multiple team awards. He was named to the Chiefs’ Top 35 in 35 Years list in 2019.
After his overage season with Spokane in 2015-16, during which he served as team captain, Fram went on to an illustrious college career in Canada, playing three seasons with the University of Alberta. He was twice named USPORTS Defenseman of the Year and helped Alberta win the USPORTS Championship in 2017-18.
The Chinese team faces tough opposition at the Olympics as they are placed in Group A with medal favorites Canada and the United States, as well as Germany. It will be China’s first appearance at a top-level hockey tournament. Their schedule will begin against the U.S. on Feb. 10.