MARQUETTE, Mich. — Former Northern Michigan University football player Shane Richardson has been named his alma mater’s 23rd head football coach, according to NMU Director of Athletics Rick Comley.

Richardson, who was the head coach at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Pembroke for the past eight seasons, officially takes over the position on Wednesday.

Richardson played linebacker for the Wildcats from 1996-2000, where he was named the team’s co-most improved player in 1998 and the most valuable linebacker in 2000.

Richardson has served as head coach of UNC Pembroke since 2014. During his tenure, the school played as an NCAA independent until 2020 when it became a member of the Mountain East Conference. He compiled a 37-48 record, including a 10-2 mark in 2016, leading the Braves to the second-round of the conference playoffs.

Richardson spent time as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at UNC Pembroke from 2006-13. He also had stops as the linebacker coach at NMU in 2002, Jamestown in 2003, and the defensive backs coach at North Dakota State in 2004.

RULE CHANGE FOR CUBAN PLAYERS

HAVANA (AP) — The United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

The decision announced Saturday in a news release by the Baseball Federation of Cuba (FCB) could be a big step in once again turning Cuba’s national team into heavy hitters on an international stage.

MLB confirmed the U.S. granted the license to FCB. It clears the way for MLB stars such as Jose Abreu, Yordan Alvarez, Randy Arozarena, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert to play for Cuba in the WBC in March if they choose to accept a potential invitation.

It’s up to each country’s national governing body to pick the players on its WBC team. Final 30-man rosters are due Feb. 7 for the WBC, which begins March 8.

CANADA UPSET IN OPENER 5-2

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Jaroslav Chmelar and Matous Mensik scored 33 seconds apart during a five-minute power play as the Czech Republic stunned defending champion Canada 5-2 in the opener for both countries at the world junior hockey championship.

In other games, Switzerland surprised Finland 3-2 in overtime and Sweden routed Austria 11-0. Also, the United States beat Latvia 5-2.

Luke Hughes, Red Savage, Chaz Lucius, Sean Behrens and Jimmy Snuggerud scored for the U.S. in its opener.

The teams were scoreless after the first period and tied 2-2 heading into the final frame. The U.S. outshot Latvia 46-17.