Wildcat men welcome Rock standout

NMU men’s basketball coach Bill Sall signed Brett Branstrom to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Wildcats in 2013-14.

Branstrom, a 6-foot-5 forward, played five seasons of varsity basketball for Mid Peninsula High School in Rock, Mich.

Branstrom averaged 25.2 points, 21.1 rebounds and five blocks during his senior year and totaled 1,785 career points.

“We want to make a focus of being able to bring in some quality players and student-athletes from the Upper Peninsula,” Sall said. “Brett is the first piece to hopefully a very good recruiting class for next season. He’s a quality player and student with a passion for the game of basketball.”

Branstrom was named to The Detroit News Class D First Team, Associated Press Class D All-State, Upper Peninsula Class D Player of the Year, Dream Team All-UP, Basketball Coaches of Michigan All State, Skyline Conference Player of the Year and Skyline Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

NMU football player signed by CFL team

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League have signed former NMU football player Zach Anderson.

The Blue Bombers started Rookie Training Camp on Wednesday, May 29.

Anderson, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats from 2008-12 as a defensive tackle.

He appeared in 42 career games and had 213 total tackles (101 solo and 112 assisted).

Anderson also had 33 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 sacks. He forced three fumbles, had one interception and blocked a kick in his career. NMU played a 3-4 defense in his first three years and switched to a multiple 4-3 his senior year.

Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman, received NMU’s Gildo Canale award as the senior male student-athlete of the year.

He was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team in 2012 and to the Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-Super Region Four third team.

Anderson was a two-time GLIAC second team selection in his career and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in December.

Karr selected to serve on NCAA committee

Northern Michigan University Director of Athletics Forrest Karr has been selected to serve on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. His term of service will run through September 1, 2017.

“I look forward to working with committee members and improving safety for student-athletes in all NCAA sports,” Karr said.

Karr previously served on the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee from 2006-10, chairing the group from 2008-10.

During that time, the Rules Committee worked with the Committee on Competitive Safeguards on several important issues.

Ultimately, the Rules Committee passed strict contact to the head legislation that led the way for many other organizations.

Karr has also worked in the NCAA General Counsel’s office and is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association (SLA).

Karr is currently a volunteer member of the Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol and has been a member of the National Ski Patrol since 2006.

—Courtesy of NMU Sports Information Releases