BOWLING GREEN NOTEBOOK

Orr gets Falcons' scholarship

Financial aid package develops with McElroy's exit

8/16/2011

BOWLING GREEN -- Chauncey Orr, who announced in the spring he would join the Bowling Green State University men's basketball team coached by his father, Louis, has received a scholarship to play for the Falcons.

The Bowling Green High School graduate was named All-Ohio Division I first team last season, averaging 20.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

"I am pleased to have Chauncey officially join our basketball family," Louis Orr said. "As his coach, he not only brings talent, skill and versatility to our program, but also a strong work ethic and IQ for the game.

"He also has good size and strength for a perimeter player and has the ability to score from different areas on the court."

The Falcons did not have a scholarship available when the younger Orr originally announced his intentions in the spring. Since that time, a scholarship became available when Danny McElroy left the team.

Chauncey Orr finished his high school career with 1,385 points, breaking the career record of another former Falcon, Josh Almanson. He helped the Bobcats finish 17-4 overall and win the Northern Lakes League title with a 14-0 mark.

"Chancey has worked hard to improve and develop every year, along with the Bowling Green High School boys basketball team," coach Orr said. "They improved every season, which is a credit to coach [Von] Graffin and his staff.

"[Winning the NLL] was a major goal for Chauncey and his fellow senior teammates going into their senior season, and a hard-earned accomplishment. I am excited about the opportunity to coach Chauncey and share in his BGSU experience."

HITTING THE ROAD: The BG men's basketball team will travel to Toronto this week to get a jump on the coming season.

The Falcons travel to Canada Tuesday and will play three games in three days starting Thursday. The games will be played at Seneca College in a game-type atmosphere, including referees.

The Falcons return nearly the entire squad from last season when they finished 14-19, 8-8 in the Mid-American Conference.

Among the returnees are seniors Scott Thomas (11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds) and Dee Brown (10.4 points) along with junior A'uston Calhoun (12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds). Calhoun and Thomas received honorable mention on the All-MAC team.

BARNES TO CFL: Former Falcon football standout Freddie Barnes is on the practice roster for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Barnes, who caught an NCAA record 155 passes as a senior in 2009, is not on the active roster for Saskatchewan, which started the season 1-6.

Three other former Falcons signed as free agents with NFL teams but were cut recently.

Long snapper Neil Dahlman signed with Cincinnati and offensive lineman Tyler Donahue signed with St. Louis. Linebacker Diyral Briggs was released by the Packers Monday. Briggs won a Super Bowl ring for playing on special teams last season.

NITTA EARNS TITLE: Senior volleyball player Madison Nitta helped lead the USA Deaf Volleyball team to the gold medal in the 2011 Friendship Games played at Gallaudet University in early August.

Nitta served as a defensive specialist for Team USA, which posted a 5-0 record that included two wins over international power Ukraine.

Nitta and her BGSU teammates are preparing for tournaments at the Naval Academy and at South Florida. The Falcons will open the home schedule with the Best Western Falcon Plaza Invitational, Sept. 9-10.

BG's first match in that tournament is against Michigan State on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.

The contest will be the first varsity sporting event in the Stroh Center.

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com or 419-724-6481.