Thompson takes over as Sting director of coaching

Mike Thompson has been named director of coaching for the Coeur d'Alene Sting Soccer Club, succeeding his brother, Ken.

Mike Thompson is two years younger than Ken, who recently resigned to take the men's soccer coaching position at North Idaho College.

"I grew up playing in the Sting program," Mike Thompson said. "Being younger than him, they basically threw me out there and let me play with the big boys."

Thompson graduated from Lake City High and later moved on to Gonzaga, where he was a player and later assistant coach.

"This was a good opportunity," Thompson said. "Ken and what he did got the program moving in the right direction. I've been involved with college soccer for 10 years as a coach and player. I was just ready to do something else."

His first job was overseeing the Sting tryouts this week, with an estimated 400 kids participating.

"It's like being in a gigantic management job," Thompson said. "My main responsibility is to put the right kids with the right coaches and keeping up with the latest trends and philosophies on the local and world scene. It's about taking what works and what doesn't and seeing what works for the city of Coeur d'Alene."

"I would like to have our own complex at some point," Thompson said. "Our players are being exposed to a higher level of competition than in previous years."

The Sting girls under-13 team won the Idaho State Cup and will compete in regionals later this month.

"With my job at Gonzaga, I've seen a lot of club soccer over the country," Thompson said. "For our community, what the Sting has been doing is unbelievable. With the limited resources and amount of quality coaches we have, the standard is really high. I really think the sky is the limit for the teams in our area."

Warbrick signs with Lakeland College hoops

Amy Warbrick, a 5-foot-6 guard from Coeur d'Alene who played at North Idaho College the past two seasons, has signed a letter of intent to join the Lakeland College (Lloydminster, Alberta) women's basketball team starting in the fall.

Warbrick attended North Idaho Christian School and played on Coeur d'Alene High teams that finished second twice at state and won state 5A titles her junior and senior year. At NIC, she helped the Cardinals win their first NJCAA championship in March.

As a freshman, Warbrick averaged 7.6 points and 2.4 assists per game as NIC finished eighth at nationals. She averaged 5.4 points and 2.0 assists as a sophomore on a 29-3 team.

"I am extremely excited to add a player of Amy's caliber and experience to our roster for the upcoming season," Lakeland coach Chris King said. "Amy's commitment will really help strengthen our backcourt for the upcoming season. She is extremely quick off the dribble, possesses an excellent pull-up, shoots the ball very well from the 3-point line and is able to get her teammates open."

At Lakeland, Warbrick will join NIC teammate Amanda Carlton, who signed in late March.

NFL stars come together for Roos Foundation

Former Eastern Washington University offensive lineman Michael Roos and several of his fellow National Football League players will make a public appearance tonight at Cabela's in Post Falls from 6 to 7 p.m. as part of the second Roos Foundation "Fish & Chip" Tournament.

Roos, who is set to begin his seventh season as a starting offensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, is expected to be joined by his Titans teammates Jake Locker, Randy Moss, Jake Scott, Ahmard Hall and Leroy Harris, as well as Roy Lewis (Seattle) and Eric Winston (Houston). Because it is a fundraising event, donations are required to gather autographs from the athletes.

With The Coeur d'Alene Resort as the backdrop, the "Fish and Chip" brings together current and former NFL players, EWU supporters and several corporate sponsors for competition featuring golf on Friday and bass fishing today.

Presenting sponsors included The Coeur d'Alene Resort and Cabela's.

The resort is the site of the golf tournament and barbecue, and its marina, on Lake Coeur d'Alene, is the launching point for the bass fishing competition and evening cruise. Cabela's provided equipment for the NFL participants, in addition to hosting the in-store autograph session at its Post Falls location.

Three Vandal football games set for WAC Sports Network

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The WAC Sports Network announced its 2011 football broadcast schedule, kicking off Sept. 17 with Nevada at San Jose State.

Idaho will be featured three times: vs. Fresno State (Sept. 24), at San Jose State (Nov. 5) and at Nevada (Dec. 3).

The network debuted last year and is a product of the WAC and Learfield Sports. In addition to this year's football broadcasts, they will also broadcast a full package of basketball games.

The full WAC Network television schedule is as follows: Sept. 17 - Nevada at San Jose State. Sept. 24 - Fresno State at Idaho. Oct. 22 - Fresno State at Nevada; Oct. 29 - Nevada at New Mexico State; Nov. 5 - Idaho at San Jose State; Nov. 12 - Fresno State at New Mexico State; Nov. 19 - Fresno State at Hawaii; Nov. 26 - Nevada at Utah State; Dec. 3 - Idaho at Nevada.

Local affiliates for the network are KAYU (Channel 3 Time Warner, 28 Dish Network/DirecTV), and SWX (306 Time Warner).