Tracking the Bears

• Coast Guard Academy's volleyball team is holding a special event during tonight's match against Clark University, teaming up with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut. Each player will walk out with a "Little Bear" during introductions. The special guests will wear replica CGA volleyball jerseys. CGA will host a short meet and greet following the match.

T• The men's soccer team (4-7-1, 0-4-1) has suffered some tough losses during a five-game losing streak, dropping three games by one goal. Coast Guard plays the annual Whale Cup match against host Connecticut College at noon on Saturday.

• For the women's soccer team, senior Shannah Shelton needs one assist to pass Olivia Grant (2000-03) and become the program's record holder for career assists with 16.

Mariners making waves

• Mitchell College freshman Sherif Ali continues to rack up New England Collegiate Conference weekly honors in cross country. He captured the rookie of the week prize for the fourth time this season, finishing a team-best 58th out of 211 runners at the Connecticut College Invitational Saturday.

• Women's tennis players Mackenzie Flanagan and Jennifer Schmidt each earned their first NECC weekly honor. Flanagan, a sophomore, was named the player-of-the-week after going 3-1 in singles action. She finished the season with a 9-3 record.

Schmidt received rookie honors, posting a 2-1 mark in at No. 5 singles, and also combined with Marisa Haggett to win at No. 3 doubles against Regis College.

Around the region

• Former UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway has been hired by the Big East Conference as a consultant to the commissioner of men's basketball. He will serve as the chairman of the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee for the 2011-12 season.

• Two UConn football players were honored after helping the Huskies beat South Florida, 16-10, on Saturday. Redshirt freshman Byron Jones received Big East defensive player of the week after recording a fumble recovery and seven tackles. Redshirt freshman running back Lyle McCombs made the conference honor roll after rushing for 130 yards on 32 carries.

• Freshman forward Olivia Moore, an East Lyme High School graduate, has a team-best seven goals for the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's soccer team. Last week, she was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference rookie of the week after scoring five goals and adding an assist in three games.

• East Lyme's Laurie Whalen, a senior at Keene State College, earned Little East Conference volleyball offensive player of the week honors. A setter, she averaged 11.9 assists per set, including 54 against Plymouth State, and also chipped in 15 digs.

• Lesley University freshman Danielle Johnson of Waterford was awarded the NECC volleyball rookie of the week last week. Johnson had 16 kills and 22 digs against Bay Path and added 13 kills, 12 digs and four service aces against Curry College.

- Gavin Keefe