Published: February 08, 2006 11:57 pm      

NU grad hopes to become American Idol

Becky O’Donohue is going from the hardwood to Hollywood.

O’Donohue, who played four years of women’s basketball at Niagara University, is in Hollywood to compete on American Idol. The 2002 NU graduate was one of 28 singers to advance from auditions held in Boston over the summer.

O’Donohue averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds over 112 games at Niagara. Her twin sister, Jessie, who also played for Niagara, did not compete in American Idol because she is recovering from throat surgery.

NU women’s basketball coach Bill Agronin made sure Becky O’Donohue had Niagara T-shirts to present to American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

- The Niagara University men’s tennis team (2-0) puts its unbeaten mark on the line this weekend with a pair of matches at Sportsplex in North Tonawanda.

The Purple Eagles host Mercyhurst in a non-conference match at 6 p.m. Friday before opening Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a match against Saint Peter’s at 6 p.m. Saturday.

- Men’s tennis player Alex Abji was named Niagara’s athlete of the week after leading the Purple Eagles to a 4-3 win over Cleveland State.

The sophomore from Vancouver teamed with Walter Garcia to win at second doubles before winning in three sets at third singles in the final match of the day to give Niagara the team victory.

- The NU women’s soccer team came in seventh on the NCAA’s list for most improved teams. The Purple Eagles, who advanced to the MAAC finals, went 16-3-2 in 2005 after going 9-8-1 in 2004. Western Carolina and Nevada tied for the top spot.

- A pair of Niagara Falls High School graduates helped the Buffalo State men’s hockey team post a 7-0 upset win over 10th-ranked Geneseo State, clinching just the second State University of New York Athletic Conference playoff berth in school history.

Jason Hill had a goal and two assists for the Bengals, while Mike DeMarco had one goal.

- Niagara University’s annual sports dinner raised more than $15,000 for NU’s student-athletes Monday night.

“These funds will be held in a special project account for special needs that arise that will directly benefit our student-athletes,” Niagara athletics director Mike Hermann said. “With such success (Monday), the impact of this event will be felt by each of our 280 student-athletes.”

The highlight of the dinner’s silent auction was an autographed Jerome Bettis football. One day earlier, Bettis helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl victory and then announced his retirement.

- The next Niagara meal is this Monday’s Niagara heritage Luncheon honoring Hubie Brown.

Brown, a 1955 graduate of Niagara, is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The luncheon starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 286-8600.

That night, Niagara will give away Hubie Brown bobblehead dolls to the first 500 fans through the Gallagher Center doors for the 7 p.m. men’s basketball game against Manhattan.

- Can’t wait for the baseball season? Neither can the Niagara Purple Eagles.

Niagara is scheduled to open the 2006 season at noon Feb. 18 with a non-conference game at Delaware State.

The Purple Eagles are slated to play 27 straight road games before the April 4 home opener at Sal Maglie Stadium against the University at Buffalo.

Contact Pat Murray at 282-2311, Ext. 2258.