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Is this a called run play? The WRs all go toward the sidelines, the RB n TE block, but the OL is in pass protection. Ben barley even sets before he makes a move to the goalline. Perhaps it was a quick slant or fade read, if not there try to keep it...
Watch Kemo... With his back to Ben he knows that the play is going on too long so instead of sitting and staying in pass protection he attacks b/c he is prolly assuming Ben is either scrambling or trying to get open to throw. Quality of the block isnt important, just that its kinda kool to see him "feel" whats going on.
Got away with one there. Nice to see it go our way though.
Dan Deirdork makes my ears hurt.
"Here's an idea! Don't worry about sports and run the ****ing country!!!" - PsychoWard to Obama
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests) | http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/26395-miami-game-video?goto=nextnewest | 207 |
A collection of news and information related to The Philadelphia Inquirer published by this site and its partners.
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Those who oppose greater U.S. involvement in Syria were no doubt relieved at the announcement that Moscow and Washington want to convene an international conference to end the country's civil war. They shouldn't be. Secretary of State John Kerry's...
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Tags: Steve Addazio, Football
Dwyane Wade is back now, and that's what matters most. But because the NBA season is a repetitive cycle, it also is worth looking back if only to avoid a similar situation, with a similar asset. A week ago, before Wade sat out for a week,...
South Florida Sun-SentinelFrom the Philadelphia Inquirer In a way, the NHL lockout is being partially funded by Comcast, the Flyers' parent company. The NBC Sports Group, a subsidiary of Comcast, is paying the league about $180 million in rights fees this season, and a network...
Crime and Safety - Sun-Sentinel?? As kids and their parents get ready for prom season, their checklists could go like this: Gown and tux? Got ‘em.?? Corsage and boutonniere? Double check.?? Key to the liquor cabinet? No way.?? Booze is not a prom accessory. And the Florida...
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Original site for The Philadelphia Inquirer topic gallery. | http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/arts-culture/mass-media/newspapers/the-philadelphia-inquirer-PRDPER00031.topic?pacode=soflanews | 433 |
Pacquiao, Marquez look for KOs in 4th rivalry bout-A A +A
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
BEVERLY HILLS, California (Updated) — Three compelling bouts in eight years haven't resolved the rivalry between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, so they're stepping in the ring together for a fourth bout on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
And this time, they're both looking for the only decisive ending to any fight: a stone-cold KO.
"I want to erase the doubt of the last three fights," Pacquiao said.
"There's so many people still asking if I won the fights. I think to myself, 'Something is wrong. I have to do it again.' This time, I will train hard to put this fight up in the history of boxing. I want to make this fight short. I want to knock him out."
Although they're extending a rivalry to rare lengths in modern boxing, the fighters and promoters believe fans will warm to the matchup when they remember just how good the first three fights were.
Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a draw in 2004, while Pacquiao won by split decision in 2008 and again by majority decision last year. The bouts featured knockdowns, wild momentum swings and fascinating contrasts in technique — but Marquez and many fans still believe he won all three fights, while Pacquiao says he clearly won the last two.
"It's been an incredible ride," Top Rank promoter Todd duBoef said. "People ask me whether it's going to be hard to sell a fourth fight. Did you see the first 36 rounds? There wasn't a dull moment."
With a combination of unfinished business and unmatched financial reward, Pacquiao and Marquez both had plenty of incentive to get together again. They have fought at 125, 130 and 144 pounds, and their fourth fight will be a straight welterweight contest at 147.
Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) is coming off his first loss since 2005, a wildly disputed decision to Timothy Bradley. Still stinging from that embarrassment, he says he's going back to the ferocious, relentless style of fighting that made him an eight-division champion. Pacquiao hasn't stopped an opponent in more than three years, a once-unthinkable drought for a relentless puncher.
"I want to be the other Manny Pacquiao, like when I was 24, 25 years old," Pacquiao said. "I want people who watch this fight to be satisfied. I don't care about a belt. I don't care about the money. I want the win."
Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) has tested Pacquiao more than any opponent, with counterpunching skills and comprehensive boxing knowledge that can negate many of Pacquiao's strengths. But Pacquiao also is a nightmare matchup for Marquez, whose relentlessness hasn't been enough to overcome Pacquiao's once-in-a-generation combination of speed and strength.
While Pacquiao has a plan to recapture his best form, Marquez believes the only way to be sure he'll finally get his hand raised is to stop the Filipino congressman. Marquez swore off the rivalry and nearly retired in frustration immediately after Pacquiao's victory last fall, but agreed to return after a few months to cool down.
"I won all of the last three fights," Marquez said. "I would like the referee to raise my hand. Everybody knows I won the fights, and I don't know what happened with the judges. I have to take it out of the judges' hands this time."
Pacquiao won't train in Baguio, the high-altitude northern Philippines city where he has traditionally started training camp before heading to trainer Freddie Roach's gym for the final few weeks.
Instead, Pacquiao and Roach will be in Hollywood for their entire training camp, dramatically reducing the number of distractions for the Philippines' most famous person.
Pacquiao and Marquez will join the short list of rivalries that couldn't be contained by a mere trilogy, including Sugar Ray Robinson's six fights with Jake LaMotta and Robinson's four bouts with Gene Fullmer.
More recently, Israel Vazquez's sensational rivalry with Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel's brother, extended to four fights, concluding with Marquez's third-round stoppage of Vazquez in May 2010.
"I never thought it would go to four fights," Pacquiao said. "It's a first for me." (AP) | http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/09/18/pacquiao-marquez-look-kos-4th-rivalry-bout-243445 | 965 |
New aldermanic wards for one-third of Chicagoans
By MARK BROWN [email protected] January 18, 2012 8:52PM
Updated: February 21, 2012 8:33AM
As early as Thursday or next week probably at the latest, an estimated one-third or more of Chicago residents will be living in a new ward.
They’ll be in two wards, actually, one old and one new, thanks to a ward redistricting plan that an alliance of aldermen will try to push through the City Council today.
The new boundaries don’t really go into effect until after the city election in 2015, but the practical effect is more complicated.
As in the past, some aldermen will want to start serving new constituents right away to build goodwill for the next election. Others may prefer to dance with the voters who brought them. The result is some residents may find themselves with two aldermen vying for their affection while others will have trouble finding anyone to pay attention to their concerns.
You say you’d like to know which ward will now be claiming you as a resident?
Good question. Hard to answer.
Even Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) says he hasn’t been told for sure which ward his West Loop home will be located in, though most likely he’ll be in the 27th or 28th Ward, which have been and are expected to remain predominately African-American wards.
All Fioretti knows for certain is that he won’t be in the 2nd, which his fellow aldermanic mapmakers have uprooted in its entirety from its current Near South and Near West location and plopped on the North Side with an epicenter of Belmont and Ashland — Fioretti’s punishment for going his own way too often and antagonizing downtown development interests.
The final ward boundaries were still in play as of late Wednesday, which might cause one to question why aldermen are in such a hurry to vote on them.
“Where is the transparency?” questioned Fioretti with good cause.
But supporters of the expected final “compromise” map say it will be substantially the same as the one proposed in late December by a coalition of 32 African-American and white aldermen and available for public review since then.
And anyway, there comes a point in this once-a-decade process where the aldermen don’t really want the public interfering, considering they see themselves as the ones most directly affected. They’ve reached that point.
Fioretti said he will ask the City Council to “defer and publish” the remap ordinance, a tactic allowed under the Council rules that customarily would delay a vote on any matter until the next meeting. But there is talk of the majority using some extraordinary parliamentary maneuver to force a vote.
For the life of me, I don’t understand why they would go to that extreme. There’s really no hurry at this point, and they’re going to get their way in the end anyhow, pending court challenges. Those challenges will come, despite assurances you may hear to the contrary that the compromise map will save taxpayers millions. They wish.
Now that Latino aldermen who proposed their own map have declared themselves on board with the compromise, all that was left to finish Wednesday were minor border skirmishes.
“Tweaking” is what they call these last-minute changes, switching a block here or there to allow an alderman to keep a particularly loyal group of supporters or an economic development project in which he or she has invested time and effort — or to shed a potential political opponent.
There were also last-minute efforts to make the map more palatable to Ald. James Balcer (11th) and Ald. Michele Smith (43rd), who were treated so poorly under the expected winning map that they had joined the Latino faction.
The Bridgeport-based 11th, cradle of Chicago mayors and the Daley family, was stuck with a strange new appendage under the proposed map — connecting the old ward to Little Italy via the Eisenhower Expy. and a narrow strip along the river. As proposed, the 11th Ward’s new northernmost outpost would be at Madison and Paulina instead of 25th Street.
Nobody would have done that if Rich Daley was still mayor, which doesn’t make it wrong, but wow.
By the way, that estimate that one-third or more of Chicago residents will be living in new wards under the remap is mine, but knowledgeable aldermen concurred.
Hope you like your new alderman. | http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/10091584-452/new-aldermanic-wards-for-one-third-of-chicagoans.html | 988 |
Steyn must improve more - Bulls coach
Despite a man of the match performance on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park, Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar believes that his kingpin flyhalf Morne Steyn will have to take another step up in this weekend’s Absa Currie Cup showdown against the Sharks in Durban.
Steyn made a welcome return to form on Saturday but was the first to admit the forward domination laid a perfect platform for him to play off.
But considering the season he has had, and the dip in confidence, there was more than enough to be happy about in the way he played, with the Blue Bulls sneaking into the semifinals of the competition with their powerful performance on Saturday.
There is no doubt there will be a lot of attention on the duel between Steyn and Patrick Lambie, especially with a spot on the end of year Springbok tour coming up and no certainty who will take the number 10 jersey at that level.
Lambie impressed in the big win over Griquas as well, although for both flyhalves you can make the argument that they were hardly tested, given the dominance their packs had up front.
That definitely won’t be the case on Saturday as the two teams meet for the right to challenge for the premier domestic trophy with the Sharks favoured to start as heavy favourites given the season they have had thus far.
Pienaar said he was impressed with Steyn’s resolve, especially as he had his fair share of boos from Lions fans on Saturday.
“I’m happy for Morne, and we expected fans to boo him when he kicks for post. He went through a tough spot and as management we backed him and I’m glad he came through. His self-confidence was good and hopefully he can take another step up next week,” Pienaar said.
The Bulls coach said he believed Steyn need to take that step up, and prove himself again, not because the public wanted it, but because he wanted to do it for his teammates.
“Morne will want to come out next week and play better, not to prove his critics wrong, but more for himself and for the team. I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays against Patrick, and he will have to be better and take another step up from our win over the Lions.”
Pienaar said the important thing for the Bulls to work on this week is accuracy, as they need to ensure that from their setpieces to their kicking game, all is spot on. If not, the Sharks' impressive home record speaks for itself.
“A semifinal is a funny type of day, you have to be accurate in putting pressure on the other team. The last time we beat the Sharks in Durban was in 2006 and I think they only lost one game this year at home, and that was against the Chiefs,” Pienaar explained.
“It will definitely be a tough one, but we’ve given ourselves an opportunity and it depends now how accurate and how spot-on you can be. There is a lot of work ahead of us this week to maybe give ourselves an opportunity of a final.”
While the task will be difficult, if Pienaar’s side can pull it off, it will be one step away from an unbelievable comeback considering they were languishing close to a promotion/relegation game until last Saturday. | http://www.supersport.com/rugby/currie-cup/news/121015/Steyn_must_improve_more_Bulls_coach | 729 |
Longtime teammates: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and forward Pau Gasol talk before a game. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea, US Presswire
As Kobe Bryant's bosses can attest, what he says and what he does aren't always the same thing (see retracted trade demand, summer 2007).
So while the 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star and newest member of the 30,000-point club might have said as recently as October that he plans on retiring after two more seasons, there's a certain we'll-believe-it-when-we-see-it component that means this question is still in play: can Bryant surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer? The answer is yes - if he wants to.
Bryant already has the votes of Lakers legends Magic Johnson and Jerry West as the best Laker of all time, and his top priority in these twilight years is to match or even surpass Michael Jordan when it comes to his ring count (he trails six to five). But his possible path from 30,001 points to passing Wilt Chamberlain (31,419), Jordan (32,292), Karl Malone (36,928) and finally Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) is entirely possible so long as he stays healthy. If Bryant was able to keep up his career-long pace of scoring an average of 25.4 points per game, the then-38-year-old would break the record approximately a third of the way through the 2016-17 season.
A dropoff in production would complicate things, as Bryant would surely want to wrap up the record in that 2016-17 season rather than deal with the PR nightmare of returning in 2017-18 to predictable accusations that he was ending his career the way he began it - by being too driven by individual achievement. Yet if he averages 21.3 points per game from here on out as opposed to 21.5, for example, that's precisely what could occur. His contract status and the outside chance that he could finish his career elsewhere would come into play, too, as Bryant is only signed through next season (when he'll make a league-high $30.4 million).
None of which resonates with Bryant right now because of the tall task at hand. His so-called Super Team Lakers are an underwhelming 9-10, and Bryant and Dwight Howard spent Wednesday night bickering about blown defensive assignments on the New Orleans Arena court and on the bench.
It was a small situation that could certainly grow bigger if this purple-and-gold tide isn't turned, as Bryant's notoriously-edgy leadership style is precisely the kind that has never worked well with the more-easygoing Howard. Add in the backdrop of Howard's looming free agency this summer and his ominous comments on Sunday that "if I have to play on another team or do whatever I have to do to get (a championship), that's my goal," and it's safe to assume Bryant isn't thinking about scoring titles at the moment.
Still, even with all the extra playoff and international mileage, Bryant is one of the special few who could likely play into his late 30s while still holding onto his hoops dignity. He has the mindset to do it, and - thanks partly to the blood-manipulation treatment he had done in Germany two summers ago on his knees - he has the body too.
Yet West, the former Lakers general manager who brought Bryant to Laker Land as a rookie in 1996 by way of the trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac, would consider Bryant the best Laker of all time even if he quit tomorrow. His sentiment echoed that of Johnson, the five-time champion who reiterated his stance on ESPN on Wednesday night that Bryant was the best of all the Lakers. West, who is now a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, said he viewed Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain differently because they didn't play their entire careers with the Lakers but he clearly sees Bryant above Johnson and himself on the Lakers' long list of greats.
"What he has accomplished with this team, I don't think there's any question in my mind at this point in time - because of him being with this team for his whole career - that he has been the greatest Laker player," West - who earned 14 All-Star berths, one championship, one MVP and made nine Finals appearances - told USA TODAY Sports by phone on Thursday. "I do think he's the greatest Laker player we've ever seen."
As for the scoring record and whether Bryant will pursue it, West doesn't see him chasing the mark unless he's still playing at the highest level.
"The one thing he's been able to avoid are really serious injuries," West said. "That is a factor in anyone's successâ?¦(But) he's not going to go out there and play - like a lot of guys do - past their prime, trying to chase a record. I don't think that's who he is, at the end of the day.
"I just think that he's just one of those guys who loves to compete, loves to win, understands that he's been doing it for so long, at a high level, and now the team hasn't played as well as (they were expected to). Does that wear on him? I'm sure. And then having you guys ask him the question, 'How long will you play?' I think he'll play as long as he feels like he can play like he is right now, and then he will move away from it."
But therein lies the rub. Bryant looks like he could play until he's 50.
With nearly a quarter of the season behind us, Bryant is not only showing no signs of decline but is showing yet another uptick in his offensive game. His field-goal percentage is up significantly from last season (49% compared to 43%), as is his three-point percentage (37.2 compared to 30.3). More importantly, his shot attempts - which reached chucker levels of 23 per game last season, a league-high - are back down to a more-reasonable 19.2. Meanwhile, his league-leading 28 points per game is on pace to be his most since the 2007-08 campaign.
"Frankly, I think he's having one of his better offensive years I've seen," West said. "He just seems to be in a great place right now, particularly from an offensive standpoint.
"He has an incredible desire to win and excel, and his work ethic and his skill level are what places him among the truly great, great players we've ever had in this league."
Speaking of the Lakers: A Pau Gasol glance
With incessant chatter continuing about whether sidelined star Pau Gasol will be traded, here's the good news for the veteran forward: it doesn't appear he's going anywhere anytime soon. Former coach Mike Brown surely wishes they would have shown this sort of patience with him, but it appears the decision to fire him five games in and replace him with Mike D'Antoni will be the only drastic move early on in these parts.
Specifically, the fact that injured point guard Steve Nash headed to Laker Land, in part, because he wanted to play with the big Spaniard is helping Gasol's cause. In declining overtures from Toronto and New York in the summer in order to approve a Lakers sign-and-trade with the Suns that netted him a three-year, $27 million deal, Nash was opting for the team that afforded him the best shot at a title. He was considered a key component to this new-look roster then, and even moreso now that the new coach just so happens to be his Seven-Seconds-or-Less partner from their memorable Phoenix days.
So while the opening act couldn't have gone much worse, the Lakers and Nash want to give him time to work his magic with Gasol, Howard, Bryant et al before making any more major moves. Nash has been out with a non-displaced fracture in his left fibula since Oct. 31, has had his return delayed by the nerves in the leg that are causing pain. Gasol his missed the last two games while resting his knees (tendinitis) and his return date is unclear.
Barring the arrival of a too-good-to-be-true offer on the desk of general manager Mitch Kupchak (and the ones involving Toronto and Minnesota reported by ESPN.com obviously don't qualify), Gasol isn't expected to be made available anytime soon. The trade deadline, for those who haven't marked their calendars, is Feb. 21.
Breakout player of the week: Houston center Greg Smith
The undrafted second-year big man out of Fresno State can always tell his grandkids that he started the first bickering bout between Howard and Bryant, as it was his 21-point, nine-rebound outing against the Lakers in Tuesday night's home win that sparked their discontent. Howard kept helping defensively off of Smith, kept getting burned when no one came to his aid on the rotations, then finally spoke up a day later when it kept happening in New Orleans and a shouting match ensued.
Meanwhile, Smith - who had 13 points in a win over Utah on Saturday - reveled in the fact that he had his best game of his career twice in one week. The 6-foot-10, 250-pounder spent most of his rookie campaign starring for the Rockets' farm team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, while only playing in eight games for Houston. He hardly saw the floor for the Rockets in November, either not playing at all or playing single-digit minutes in eight of 14 games.
* With so much attention paid to whether Bryant can catch up with Kareem, here's a worthwhile look from Basketball Prospectus guru Kevin Pelton analyzing which players have the best shot at catching Kobe and the rest of the 30,000-point club.
* Not to put a damper on the big night of Sacramento Kings guard and 2009 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, who buried two late three-pointers against Toronto on Wednesday to secure the 107-100 win. But when teammate DeMarcus Cousins told reporters afterward that it was the first time he'd seen Evans hit two threes in a row since he'd entered the league in 2010, it was a brutal reminder that Evans' lack of an outside game continues to haunt him. It's early, but it's worth nothing that his three-point percentage has improved from last season (20.2 to 30.8) while his overall accuracy remains the same (45.3)
* At the risk of being deemed the Grinch of all NBA media, there's this holiday tidbit relating to the NBA commercial that has been lifting spirits the league over: perception doesn't meet reality here. Entertaining and creative though the commercial is, Howard revealed recently that the players who are shown standing side by side and dribbling to the tune "Carol of the Bells" - from the Lakers center to Joe Johnson, Russell Westbrook, and Dwyane Wade - were all filmed individually and, essentially, photo-shopped together. Each player, Howard said, was using a system similar to the popular "Rock Band" video game in order to determine when to dribble all the right notes.
Personal Power Rankings
My top five:
1. Memphis Grizzlies (13-3): The Grizz aren't likely to be alone at the top come June, but their overtime loss to the rested San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 1 wasn't enough to drop them down a notch (they also downed Phoenix in overtime on Tuesday). What's more, their Nov. 14 win vs. Oklahoma City is still coming in handy when it comes to tie-breakers such as these.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4): The Lakers were supposed to be the team with the new-look roster that would cruise through the regular season and have to prove itself in the playoffs, but the post-James Harden Thunder have stolen that role thus far. Before downing Brooklyn 117-111 on Tuesday, they dominated Charlotte, Houston, Utah, and New Orleans by an average of 25 points. New addition Kevin Martin, as we've chronicled recently, is a big reason why.
3. San Antonio Spurs (15-4): Coach Gregg Popovich's controversial plan in Miami paid off when the Spurs outlasted the Grizzlies in San Antonio two nights later, and a 110-99 win vs. Milwaukee followed on Wednesday night. A four-game road trip through Charlotte, Houston, Utah and Portland looms, but not as large as the Dec. 17 showdown against the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
4. New York Knicks (14-4): A 1 ½ game lead over Miami in the Eastern Conference in early December without Amar'e Stoudemire (left knee) and with Raymond Felton (offseason addition to replace Jeremy Lin) running the show? Not many saw this coming, but the Knicks are apparently for real.
Even fewer folks could have predicted Thursday night's 112-92 shocker over the Heat that came with Carmelo Anthony sitting out because of the stitches in his left hand. It was the kind of win that could take this team to the next level by giving Anthony's supporting cast even more collective confidence. Felton had 27 points to lead the way, while J.R. Smith, Steve Novak and Rasheed Wallace combined for 43 points off the bench. Stoudemire is reportedly targeting a return around Christmas.
5. Miami Heat (12-5): USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt was there to chronicle the Heat's shocking loss to Washington on Tuesday, so it's on record that it really did happen. Then on Thursday night, a TNT audience watched in amazement as the Knicks handed the Heat their worst home loss since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces in the summer of 2010. The 112-92 loss made the decision to have them leapfrog Miami in the rankings here easy.
The Heat should have a chance to get on a roll again considering its next five games are at home (and five of the next seven). That includes a Christmas Day Finals rematch against the Thunder.
My top 5:
1. LeBron James, Miami: Considering James went for 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two turnovers in the loss to the Knicks, it's tough to include him in the blame game. But King James won't be the King of this MVP mountain for long unless the Heat fix what ails them. Through 17 games, he is averaging 25.2 points, a career-high 9.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City: He's trailing Kobe Bryant by 1.5 points per game for the league's scoring lead (28 to 26.5), but every other part of his game is on the rise. For those who missed it, I sat down with Durant in OKC last week to delve into this topic and much more. ESPN's First Take crew discussed Durant's affinity for Larry Bird as well.
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio: The 36-year-old is clearly sipping from the same fountain of youth as Bryant, as he continues to get better with age. Check out this progression from the last three seasons and realize that it's definitely not normal: 13.4 points per game to 15.4 to his current mark of 18.8 (on 53.3% shooting); 8.9 rebounds to nine to 10.1 currently. Great stuff all around from the Big Fundamental, who is also averaging 2.4 blocks.
4. Carmelo Anthony, NY: The extra hustle that Anthony has been providing wound up hurting him, as his stage dive into the Charlotte crowd on Wednesday night resulted in five stitches in his left hand and his absence from Thursday night's game at Miami. But even though the Knicks won that game without him, Anthony (26.5 points per game on 45.7% shooting overall and 43.5% from three-point range) remains the epicenter of what has been an impressive start.
5. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers: Paul has more help in his second season in Los Angeles and thus his scoring is down (19.8 ppg to 16.1), but his 9.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game tell the tale of one of the game's most well-rounded players. The 12-6 Clips have won four in a row (Minnesota, Sacramento, Utah, Dallas) after dropping four straight prior to that stretch.
My top 3:
1. Damian Lillard, Portland PG: His 19.3 points per game not only leads rookies, but was tied for ninth in the league overall entering Thursday night. His 6.3 assists per game leads all rookies. The small-school success story, in other words, continues.
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte SF: The 7-10 Bobcats already matched their seven-win campaign in 2011-12 that set a new league low in winning percentage, so there's credit to be had here. Kidd-Gilchrist is a defense-first talent who has fit in right away under first-year coach Mike Dunlap, not to mention the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November. He averaged 10.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 27.3 minutes played to earn the honor..
3. Harrison Barnes, Golden State SF: Being the starting small forward on a surprise Warriors team (11-7) is almost enough to put him here regardless of production, but the No. 7 pick out of North Carolina has made an impact (9.8 points on 45.2% shooting, 4.8 rebounds per) - not to mention having one of the best dunks of the year so far.
NBA A-Z is the NBA insider column from USA TODAY Sports writers Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt. Send the guys your feedback and ideas to @sam_amick and @JeffZillgitt.
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com
Read the original story: Does Kobe Bryant want the NBA scoring title? NBA A-Z | http://www.tallahassee.com/usatoday/article/1751811&usatref=sportsmod?odyssey=mod%257Cnewswell%257Ctext%257CSports%257Cp | 3,800 |
It’s been ten years since Tampa Bay officially shredded the “Yucks” label and became Super Bowl champions. They were led by one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history, holding teams to 12.3 points per game during the regular season.
But unlike great defenses of the past (Chicago and Baltimore), Tampa Bay underwent turmoil after their championship season, and the core of the team did not stay together for long.
A decade later, have a look at what became of some of the most significant figures from that legendary team.
No team paid a higher price to get a coach—literally, Tampa gave up two first-round draft picks, two-second round draft picks and $8 million—and no team was rewarded as instantly for doing so as the Bucs.
But Gruden’s first year in Tampa Bay was by far his most successful. He missed the playoffs in four of his next six seasons with the team and never won another playoff game with the Buccaneers after Super Bowl XXXVII.
After being dropped for Raheem Morris (big mistake) following the 2008 season, he picked up his current gig as color commentator on Monday Night Football. His name is consistently in public discussions for head coaching vacancies but he has been a staple on ESPN ever since. Sanzenbacher!
One of the great hidden secrets in NFL history is just how well Brad Johnson played during the 2002 season. He threw 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 13 starts behind center. He had the third-highest passer rating in the NFL (just behind season MVP Rich Gannon), ahead of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb.
But that was his last-ever season like that. Johnson threw 21 picks in ’03. He was benched the following season and played four more seasons—two in Minnesota and two in Dallas—before retiring following the ’08 season. His career lasted 17 years.
He is now a teacher and coach in Athens, Georgia.
The A-Train made six consecutive pro bowls during his 11-year career, the last of which came in ’02. The following season, he played only four games after suffering a neck injury and undergoing the first of multiple neck surgeries. He spent the entire ’07 season on injured reserve with lingering neck problems before retiring in the offseason.
Alstott is currently the head football coach Northside Christian School across the bay in St. Petersburg, Fla. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame next year.
As much talk as Keyshawn is susceptible to from former teammates (*cough* Warren Sapp *cough*), he was undeniably a big factor in the team’s championship chase.
But the former No. 1 pick’s tenure with the Bucs will be more remembered for his fallout with Jon Gruden the following year when he was deactivated from the team midway through the season. He never played another playoff game after Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl victory, playing two years in Dallas and a final season in Carolina.
He has been an analyst for ESPN ever since, primarily for Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday NFL Countdown.
Along with John Lynch, Sapp only played one more year in Tampa Bay, a tumultuous 7-9 season that was highlighted by Keyshawn Johnson’s very public fallout with Jon Gruden and the rest of the team.
Sapp signed with the Raiders in ’04 but failed to match the same level of success he had with the Bucs. While Sapp did come back from injury to have a very productive ’06, Oakland went 15-49 during his four-year tenure with the team.
For better or worse, Sapp will always be talking. Since retiring, he has been an analyst on Showtime’s Inside the NFL and the NFL Network’s NFL Total Access and NFL GameDay Morning. He has been outspoken on a number of subjects, including taking shots at Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall.
In April of this year, Sapp filed for bankruptcy. In his filing, he claimed to have lost his Super Bowl XXXVII championship ring, along with his championship rings from the University of Miami. In August, he came out with an autobiography, in which he was critical of Keyshawn Johnson and former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Rice was an absolute beast in ’02. He finished with 15.5 sacks, forced six fumbles and had a stretch of five consecutive games with at least two sacks. He also had two of Tampa Bay’s five sacks in the Super Bowl. Rice followed up with an equally impressive ’03 season, picking up another 15 sacks and six forced fumbles, but the team missed the playoffs and Sapp and Lynch were gone the following season. Without the same talent on that side of the ball, Rice’s numbers majorly dropped off after his 30th birthday. His career in Tampa Bay lasted only three more seasons and he wrapped up with minor stints in Denver and Indianapolis in 2007.
In 2009, Rice graduated from the New York Film Academy and has since directed one film, entitled “When I Was King.”
Brooks will, in all likelihood, go down as the greatest player from the Buccaneers legendary defense. He made nine All-Pro teams, was the 2002 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and returned an interception for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
He made the Pro Bowl every year, except for ’07, after the team’s championship. Brooks played his entire 14-year career in Tampa Bay, retiring before Raheem Morris took over in ’09.
When he isn’t picking games for TDdaily, Brooks is a football analyst for ESPN and co-hosts a Sirius NFL radio show. He has also created a scholarship foundation in Tampa.
Lynch was part of the 1993 draft class, meaning he was with the club for two more years than either Sapp or Brooks prior to the SB run.
The hard-hitting safety missed the Pro Bowl in ’03 for the first time in four seasons and was released by the team. But Lynch’s career had an excellent second act when he signed with the Denver Broncos. He stayed with them for four seasons, nearly reaching the Super Bowl in ’05.
Lynch is now a color commentator for Fox’s NFL coverage, typically broadcasting alongside Dick Stockton. The nine-time Pro Bowler will be eligible for the Hall of Fame next year.
Of all the defensive talent on the 2002 Buccaneers squad, Ronde Barber was the only player that could rival Derrick Brooks’ post-Super Bowl production. Barber was only 27 during the championship season and has since earned three All-Pro selections. He made his 200th consecutive start this seasons, while making the transition to free safety.
Barber is the only holdover from ’02 team to still be playing with Tampa, although that defense is a shell of its former self.
Jackson became Larry Brown 2.0 after his two first half interceptions against the Raiders made the safety the last defensive Super Bowl MVP. He filed for free agency and cashed in by signing with the Arizona Cardinals, a deal that last all of one season. He returned to Tampa Bay the following season and ended his career with a three-year stint in Cincinnati.
He has since moved into broadcasting, stating a sports radio show in Clearwater, Florida, as well as working in a non-profit children’s crisis center in Tampa.
This entire piece was really just a ploy to put in this video of his brother Bill tearing his ACL. It should bring joy to your all your lives. | http://www.tddaily.com/nfl/2002-bucs-where-are-they-now/ | 1,575 |
September 02, 2003
Saying Spain's national tour deserves more respect than has been shown by Mario Cipollini, organizers of the Vuelta a España have ejected the Domina Vacanze team from the race after the world champion made it clear he would not attend.
Race director Victor Cordero told the French wire service AFP on Tuesday that he disapproved of the attitude of Italian team, after it had initially promised to field Cipollini.
"The Vuelta and cycling deserve more respect," Cordero said. "There will only be 21 instead of 22 teams at the start line. To tell us Sunday that Cipollini is not coming is to show a total disregard for everyone."
Cipollini, 36, also missed this year's Tour as his Domina Vacanze team was not given a provisional spot in favor of the French Jean Delatour team.
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The fired Tennessee coach may have lost his job, but he hasn't lost his sense of humor.
Derek Dooley isn't letting unemployment get him down. Of course him being a millionaire even before his severance package kicks in should keep his spirits up.
Anyway, he's taken to his long-dormant Twitter account to let us all know how things have been going in the month since Dave Hart relieved him of his duties.
Top 10 reasons to embrace (or fear) professional transition, and other things I've been doing the last month.— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooley) December 21, 2012
So call him Derek Letterman, then? Not mentioned yet: ironing his collection of size XXXL polo shirts.
10. Joined the FFCA founded by some guy named Gruden. Shirt and visor free of charge. twitter.com/DerekDooley/st…— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooley) December 21, 2012
Tennessee may not have been able to snare Jon Gruden, but Jon Gruden did pick up Dooley. Figures.
9. Knocking the rust off the old law books to help me spar against @claytravisbgid.Or is that really necessary?— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooley) December 22, 2012
The former Vols head football coach is clowning on Clay Travis. Let that and all it entails sink in for a moment.
8. Know how Jack feels after trip to Publix (M Keaton/Mr Mom). Last time feeling that helpless: when any opposing offense took the field.— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooley) December 23, 2012
I wonder how Sal Sunseri feels about this one. Major points to Dooley, though, for being a Publix shopper.
7. Called D Hart to wish Merry Christmas and verify the game was really over. Response: Unlike LSU and UNC, last 34 months not reviewable.— Derek Dooley (@DerekDooley) December 24, 2012
On a serious note, I wonder if anything would have played out differently had UT won those two games. Probably not, but you never know.
That's as far as he's gotten. Apparently Dooley didn't prepare this list ahead of time or doesn't get the generally rapid nature of Twitter. Or maybe, he is exercising good etiquette by not bombing his followers' feeds. In any event, it's very rare to see a head coach actually express a personality. It's a lot of fun too. | http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/12/24/3801642/derek-dooley-twitter-funny-gruden | 534 |
UEFA have named their squad of Euro 2012 - find out who joined Steven Gerrard in the 23-man shortlist.
TEAMtalk guest Frank Malley feels Portugal coach Paulo Bento made a big mistake in saving the best until last in Wednesday's penalty shoot-out.
TEAMtalk takes a look at some of the talking points from Wednesday night's semi-final between Portugal and Spain in Donetsk.
Defending champions Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties to reach the Euro 2012 final after their semi-final ended 0-0 after extra time.
rackin jackson : "This will be the most exciting summer we've had in years! Top 3 teams with new managers, big players retiring, young players having to step up, world class talent like Falcao, Cavani and Lewandowski set to move and all the hope a new season brings. With..." | http://www.teamtalk.com/euro2012/team/portugal | 179 |
The USA Men's U21 Team came away with a well deserved 2-1 victory against a select representative team from Moorpark yesterday at the Ventura County High Performance Training Center.
The Moorpark team lived up to their name as the select few arrived for a scheduled game time of 6PM. A delayed start due to a late GK withdrawal forced the locals to play with a kicking back for the first ten minutes of the match. The USA Team were unable to capitalize.
At the 10 minute mark the USA Junior's earned their first penalty corner. A further short delay later (to allow the replacement GK opportunity to finish padding up) and the Select Team were, at last a Select XI.
The Moorpark Team, consisted of five experienced Senior International players in Pat Cota, Rinku Bhamber, Shawn Nakamura, Binh Hoang and Ian Scally combined with some experienced local players whose best playing days are arguably well behind them.
Short of a bench (and fitness) the Moorpark Team offered little in the way of front field pressure preferring to capitalize on skill errors from their younger opponents.
Unfortunately, in the early going the skills of the U21 athletes were lacking and poor turnovers prevailed in outlet situations albeit without consequence.
A somewhat lethargic first half ended scoreless with the best chance falling to the USA Team after a penalty corner rebound sequence.
The second half started with a sharp counter-attack opportunity smartly finished by Manny Martinez and provided cleverly be Will Holt in the 37th minute. The scorer creating the initial turnover through a well executed mobile press.
The next 20 minutes were largely dominated by the U21 Team although a pattern of poor finishing decisions failed to put the game out of reach.
As often happens after opportunities are squandered in the front end, the equalizing goal came soon thereafter. Rinku Bhamber making no mistake drilling a rebound opportunity in the 57th minute after poor defensive organization had opened up the USA left side defense.
A period of 5 minutes followed where the Moorpark side dominated play and could have, and perhaps should have taken the lead. Andrew Zayac saving well from both Moorpark penalty corner attempts.
Surviving this period of play, the USA Team went on to win the game with a well executed backhand strike from Jed Cunningham in the 65th minute. The goal shot coming from regained possession after a broken attacking penalty corner.
The only other opportunity of the match went squandered at the far post for the USA Team. Having won 6 penalty corners to 2 and created significantly more opportunity in the front end the USA Team comfortably saw out the time to win the first game (of three) in the series. | http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey/Features/2008/August/01/USA-Men-s-U21-v-Moorpark-Select-Series-Game-1.aspx?p=1 | 553 |
Winning streaks and unbeaten seasons were afterthoughts for top-seeded Nashoba Regional when it hit the gridiron against third-seeded Shepherd Hill Regional in yesterday’s Central Mass. Division 2 Super Bowl.
Stopping the Rams’ high-scoring offense and staying focused from start to finish were the top priorities.
The Chieftains succeeded on both counts, taking an early lead, weathering the expected Shepherd Hill comeback and playing solid down the stretch for a 20-6 victory in the cold and snow at Gillette Stadium.
“On this field, it’s amazing, unbelievable — my head is spinning, and the emotions are going crazy,” Nashoba senior captain Ben Nicholson said. “It’s been a great trip. I love the seniors — they’re my brothers. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or a better bunch of kids.”
The Super Bowl win was the Chieftains’ second straight and enabled them to finish 13-0 for the second consecutive year. Nashoba has won 26 straight games.
The Rams (10-3) never led but were in contention until the final minutes.
“I’m kind of speechless, but having back-to-back Super Bowl wins is unbelievable,” senior linemen Cameron Rothfuss said. “Winning the Super Bowl as a junior was great, but it’s a lot more special as a senior. It’s our last year, and we’re not going to experience this again.”
Though the Chieftains never trailed, their biggest plays came after Shepherd Hill closed to within 7-6 with 5:19 left in the third quarter, on senior Chris Dutting’s 22-yard TD catch from quarterback Drew Ravenelle.
The Chieftains took the kickoff and marched 56 yards for a TD. Junior running back Eli Williams capped the drive with a 5-yard run. Junior running back Frankie Chiodo had an 11-yard run, and senior quarterback Jack Sarnoski threw a 26-yard pass to senior wide receiver Brady Schartner, putting Nashoba on the Rams’ 5. The Chieftains missed the point-after kick and led, 13-6.
“It was huge for us to respond to that (Shepherd Hill TD) by driving down and scoring,” Nashoba coach Ken Tucker said. “I kept telling them, ‘We’re not here to be hesitant, we’re not here playing not to lose, we’re playing to win this game.’ ”
After a defensive stop in the fourth quarter, Nashoba drove 58 yards to the Rams’ 16 before Shepherd Hill’s Kyle Amico intercepted a Sarnoski pass in the end zone.
The Chieftains’ defense threw the Rams for a 5-yard loss on their first play. On the next play, Schartner intercepted Ravenelle at the 22-yard line and returned it for a TD. Junior Drew Korn’s kick gave Nashoba a 20-6 lead with 3:40 left.
“We had four days of prep for this game and we took advantage of every single second,” Sarnoski said. “We’ve been doing the bend-don’t-break against double-wing teams, and it’s definitely to our advantage coming off (playing) another double-wing team in Holy Name.
“Shepherd Hill played great but we definitely had a game plan and we did what we needed to do — a total team effort.”
Nashoba took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. After a defensive stop deep in Rams’ territory, the Chieftains scored on senior Andrew Cross’ 14-yard run. On the previous play, Sarnoski hit Schartner with an 11-yard pass.
Behind the running of senior Brad Picard, junior Jake Gelb and sophomore Drew Jean-Guillaume, Shepherd Hill had the ball for the game’s first 5:04 and advanced into Nashoba territory on both of its possessions in the second quarter. On its final series of the half, Ravenelle threw a 40-yard pass to Jean-Guillaune, putting the Rams on the Chieftains’ 5-yard line just before time expired.
“Shepherd Hill is tough — they’re a very good football team and I give them a lot of credit,” Tucker said.
Ravenelle was 3 for 6 for 124 yards and one TD. Picard had 15 carries for 51 yards.
Sarnoski was 6 of 12 for 51 yards, and also rushed for 44 yards. Cross finished with 57 yards rushing, while senior running back John Ojukwu had 31 yards. Senior Zach Hume led the Chieftains’ defense. | http://www.telegram.com/article/20121202/NEWS/112029881/1152/hometeam_archives | 1,033 |
Slipping from his grasp: Robert Green started four of England's 10 Fifa World Cup 2010 qualifiers
World Cup pictures
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© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2013 | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/world-cup-2010/pictures/6599572/Robert-Green-England-goalkeeper-at-World-Cup-2010-in-pictures.html | 76 |
Chelsea had twice led in a game that went to extra-time thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Rachel Williams. The striker beat Carly Telford to cancel out Helen Lander’s strike for Chelsea.
Kate Longhurst put Chelsea ahead in extra-time, but Karen Carney’s free-kick took the game to penalties.
Carney netted from the spot for Birmingham, but Clare Rafferty, Drew Spence and Gemma Bonner all failed for Chelsea leaving Birmingham City to celebrate a job well done.
Carney said: “Yes, we did practise our penalties. We had one staff member standing behind the goal dressed as a dragon and the others were jumping up and down, screaming and blowing horns. We wanted to create as much distraction for the girls, so if it came down to penalties, they would know what it was like.” | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/9293567/Birmingham-City-ladies-penalty-practice-proves-crucial-as-they-lift-the-Womens-FA-Cup-by-beating-Chelsea.html | 181 |
In a response to a tweet from another user in which Cole was described as Terry’s “choc ice” and a “sellout” Ferdinand responded with “I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahahha!”
The term choc-ice — dark on the outside but white inside – is a derogatory one often aimed at black people who are seen to be too keen to please white people – a contemporary version of the Uncle Tom insult.
Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, in a case which saw Cole called as a witness for the defence. Terry’s defence centred on his claim he had only said the words 'f------ black c---’ to deny using them after Ferdinand had accused him of saying it to him during a heated exchange between the pair.
Neither Anton or Rio have given an interview since Terry was cleared by District Judge Howard Riddle, the former responding to questions from reporters on QPR’s pre-season tour of Malaysia with a firm “no comment”.
Rio’s tweet was subsequently deleted from his page and the Manchester United defender — who Cole described as a “friend” in court – later tweeted: “And if I want to laugh at something someone tweets....I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a twist!”
Another tweet read “Its Sarcasm!” – a clear reference to Terry who, in his defence during the case, had said he was being sarcastic rather than racist.
Worryingly for the FA and for Mark Hughes, Roberto Di Matteo and Sir Alex Ferguson (the managers of QPR, Chelsea and Manchester United) the ill-feeling could boil over when the teams meet again next season.
Ferdinand was controversially left out of the England squad by manager Roy Hodgson for the European Championship, while Terry played in every game in Poland and Ukraine.
Although Hodgson insisted his decision was solely down to “football reasons”, it is widely thought the animosity between the two former centre-back partners meant they could no longer play in the same team together.
During Terry’s trial Ferdinand provocatively tweeted his film of the day, was Liar, Liar. The following day he went on to the social network site to say it was Steve Coogan’s Cock and Bull story.
Several black players have privately admitted they will find it difficult to shake Terry’s hands after what has happened and it would seem unlikely either Anton or Rio Ferdinand is willing to do so when QPR and Manchester United play Chelsea next season.
A spokesman for Cole said last night: “Ashley Cole… wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and has no intention of making any sort of complaint. Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in offhand and stray comments.”
Representatives for Rio Ferdinand refused to comment on the tweet on Saturday night.
The FA also said it had “no comment to make” when told about Ferdinand’s tweets but may feel it needs to investigate further. Having confirmed it was reopening the inquiry into the Terry-Ferdinand row, the FA is expected to announce later this week whether it is going to take any further disciplinary action.
Although the burden of proof for an FA charge is lower than in a criminal case it is based on the balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt – Terry’s team will feel they have grounds to appeal if he is banned and fined on a racism charge because of the court ruling.
However, the FA may yet decide to punish both players for using abusive and insulting words on the pitch after the ugly verbal exchanges between them were revealed.
A source close to the FA said: “I think it will be very hard for the FA to charge John Terry with a racism offence because he has been cleared of that in a court of law. It is a classic FA dilemma. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, but they have to do something.
“I don’t think you can deny they have brought the game into disrepute, but if you charge Terry with using obscene language, you will have to charge
Anton Ferdinand as well which is going to lead to accusations he is being unfairly punished for making the allegations.” | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9400836/Rio-Ferdinand-appears-to-endorse-choc-ice-race-traitor-insult-levelled-at-Ashley-Cole-on-Twitter.html | 929 |
Susan DiBiase, the U.S. director of marketing for tennis company Babolat, has been named “Person of the Year” for 2012 by Racquet Sports Industry magazine in the publication’s January 2013 issue. DiBiase led off the magazine’s 12th annual “Champions of Tennis Awards,” which honors people, businesses and organizations dedicated to improving the sport and business of tennis.
DiBiase, who lives in Golden, Colo., near Babolat’s U.S. headquarters in Boulder, was a former tennis teacher. She also was top 10 in the world in both freestyle skiing and mountain bike racing, and was on the professional mountain biking circuit for 10 years. DiBiase joined the French company in 2007, after stints with the Schwinn bicycle company and Nautilus fitness.
“In the last six years, Babolat has seen a remarkable increase in market share,” says Peter Francesconi, the editorial director for Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) magazine, the world’s largest trade magazine devoted to tennis and other racquet sports (www.racquetsportsindustry.com). “While DiBiase downplays her hand in this, the fact is she has had a major leadership role in orchestrating Babolat’s surge.”
RSI also named winners in 18 other categories for its 2012 Champions of Tennis Awards (visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com for more on these winners):
* Private Facility of the Year: Life Time Fitness, multiple locations
* Stringer of the Year: John Gugel, Orlando, Fla.
* Builder/Contractor of the Year: Baseline Sports Construction, Knoxville, Tenn.
* Tennis Sales Rep of the Year: Joe Habenschuss, South Florida
* Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year: Tennis town, Pittsburgh
* Tennis Advocate of the Year: Nancy McGinley, Charleston, S.C.
* Junior Tennis Champion of the Year: Todd Dissly, Northern California
* Grassroots Tennis Champion of the Year: Danice Brown, Portland, Ore.
* Municipal Facility of the Year: Southlake Tennis Center, Southlake, Texas
* Park & Recreation Agency of the Year: Reston Association, Reston, Va.
* Wheelchair Tennis Champions of the Year: Curt & Lynn Bender, Grand Rapids, Mich.
* 10 & Under Tennis Facility Developer of the Year: Top-A-Court Tennis, Hatfield, Pa.
* Public Park of the Year: Kiest Park, Dallas
* Community Tennis Association of the Year: Tri-County CTA, Jackson, Miss.
* PTR Member of the Year: Roy Barth, Kiawah Island, S.C.
* USPTA Member of the Year: David Porter, Laie, Hawaii
* High School Coach of the Year: Terry Valdez, Wenatchee, Wash.
* USTA Section of the Year: USTA Northern California | http://www.tennisindustry.org/cms/index.cfm/news/rsi-champs-tennis-2013/ | 639 |
Nov. 28, 2000
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Southwest Texas Bobcats (2-2, 0-0 SLC) vs.
#10 Lady Raiders (3-0, 0-0 Big 12)
November 29, 2000 - 7 p.m.
United Spirit Arena (15,050)
No. 10 Texas Tech takes on Southwest Texas in the United Spirit Arena at 7 p.m. It is the eighth meeting between the two teams.
Scouting the Opponent
Southwest Texas enters the game with a 2-2 record after beating Morehead State, 82-73, last Saturday.
On the year, junior Kendall Arant leads the Bobcats in scoring with a 17.3 average followed by junior Amber Morrow with an 12.3 average. Morrow is also the top rebounder, averaging 7.8 boards a game. Arant leads the team in assists with 15, steals with 11 and blocks with four. SWT is shooting 44.6 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 63.3 percent from the free throw line.
Suzanne Fox is in her fourth year at the helm of the Bobcats establishing a record of 30-55. She is also in her ninth year as a head coach with an overall record of 147-88.
Texas Tech holds a 7-0 advantage over Southwest Texas and a 3-0 mark in the Marsha Sharp era. In their last meeting, the Lady Raiders were victorious, 102-44, Nov. 26, 1999.
A Look Ahead
Texas Tech will return home on Dec. 4 vs. New Mexico at 7 p.m. The Lady Raiders will then head to Austin, Texas for the Secret Four in the Fall Classic to play North Carolina State. Last year, Tech hosted the Secret Four in the Fall Classic and defeated LSU, 56-49. The Lady Raiders will come back home for three straight games against Oregon (Dec. 13), Southeastern Louisiana (Dec. 19) and USC (Dec. 22) before the Christmas break.
Lady Raider Head Coach Marsha Sharp
One of the most respected and well-known coaches in Texas Tech history, head coach Marsha Sharp is 437-134 in her 19th year at the helm of the Lady Raiders. She has led the Lady Raiders to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 11 consecutive, and six NCAA Sweet 16 and three Elite Eight appearances and the NCAA National Championship in 1993. Sharp has led the Lady Raiders to three-straight Big 12 Conference regular-season titles and two tournament crowns. While in the SWC, coach Sharp and the Lady Raiders never finished below third, they won or shared the last five championships, and they captured three Post-Season Classic titles.
A 1974 graduate of Wayland Baptist University, Sharp was named the National Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. She also reaped SWC Coach of the Year honors seven times, five consecutively.
The Last Time Out
No. 12 Texas Tech captured the first-ever Paradise Jam Tournament championship last Saturday in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands by defeating No. 16 Southwest Missouri State, 81-77, in the title game.
Sophomore forward/center Plenette Pierson led the team to victory with a career-high 27 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds in her first double-double of the season. Freshman guard Jia Perkins came off the bench to record a career-high 20 points in a team-high 33 minutes of play. Senior Katrisa O'Neal added 15 points and junior Amber Tarr chipped in 10. Perkins also had team highs of four assists and four steals.
O'Neal, Pierson and Perkins were named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament team.
Texas Tech is led in scoring by senior Katrisa O'Neal with a 17.0 average followed by sophomore Plenette Pierson, who is averaging 16.3 points per game. Freshman Jia Perkins is the other Lady Raider averaging double figures with a 14.7 average per outing. Pierson leads the team in rebounding with a 6.7 average, while freshman Dionne Brown averages 5.3 boards a game. Brown has a team-high 76.5 field goal percentage, while Pierson is shooting 54.5 percent from the field. Perkins has team highs of 17 assists and 11 steals. On the year, the Lady Raiders are shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 69.8 from the free throw line.
Senior Katrisa O'Neal, sophomore Plenette Pierson and freshman Jia Perkins were named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament team after the Lady Raiders captured the Paradise Jam Tournament title by beating No. 8 Penn State, 79-71, and No. 16 SW Missouri State, 81-77, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pierson Gets Career High
Sophomore Plenette Pierson led Texas Tech with a career-high 27 points en route to beating SW Missouri State, 81-77, in the championship game of the Paradise Jam Tournament.
Sophomore Plenette Pierson recorded her first double-double of the season as she scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds vs. SW Missouri State Nov. 25.
Perkins Keeps Putting Up the Numbers
Freshman Jia Perkins scored a career-high 20 points vs. SW Missouri State Nov. 25. She played a team-high 33 minutes in that game. Perkins has scored in double figures in all three games this year.
O'Neal Scores Career High
Senior Katrisa O'Neal led the Lady Raiders to victory over No. 8 Penn State last Friday as she scored a career-high 24 points in 34 minutes of action. Her previous career high was 21 points set last year at Central Florida, Dec. 19.
Back-to-Back Double Figures
Three players, including two freshman, scored in double figures in back-to-back games. Senior Katrisa O'Neal scored 12 points vs. UTA Nov. 20 and 24 points against Penn State Nov. 24. Freshman Dionne Brown tallied 15 vs. UTA and 10 against PSU, while freshman Jia Perkins chipped in 12 points in both games.
Knocking off the Top 10
For the second time in four games, dating back to last season, the Lady Raiders have beaten a top 10 team. Tech defeated No. 5 Notre Dame, 69-65, on March 25 in the NCAA Sweet 16. Then last Friday, the Lady Raiders upset No. 8 Penn State, 79-71, in the first game of the inaugural Paradise Jam Tournament in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Brown Paces Lady Raiders
Freshman Dionne Brown came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points and grab six rebounds in 15 minutes of action in the Lady Raiders win over Texas-Arlington Nov. 20.
Double Digits for Five
In Texas Tech's 78-40 win over Texas-Arlington Nov. 20, the Lady Raiders had five players score in double figures. Freshman Dionne Brown led the way with 15 points followed by junior Amber Tarr with 14, senior Katrisa O'Neal and freshman Jia Perkins with 12 points apiece and freshman Casey Jackson with 10.
Freshmen Put Up 41 Points
Four of Texas Tech's "Fab Five" scored 41 of Tech's 78 points against Texas-Arlington. Dionne Brown had 15, while Jia Perkins added 12, Casey Jackson 10 and Jolee Ayers four. Natalie Ritchie did not play as she is sitting out a few weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery.
Plenty of Perks for Perkins
In her first collegiate game, freshman Jia Perkins had plenty of positives. She came off the bench to score 12 points and dish out seven assists, while adding five steals and two rebounds in 22 minutes of play.
Pierson Has Career High Assists
The only career high set in the Texas-Arlington game by a returning player was sophomore Plenette Pierson's three career-high assists. Her previous career high was two.
Lady Raiders Win 11th Straight Home Opener
Texas Tech recorded its 11th straight home-opening win with a 78-40 triumph over Texas-Arlington Nov. 20. The last time Tech lost a home opener was against Grambling, 67-64, Dec. 1, 1989.
Pierson Preseason Naismith Candidate
Sophomore Plenette Pierson was one of 30 women's basketball players named as a Preseason Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Candidate announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Pierson was the only player from the Big 12 who was selected as a candidate.
Freshman guard Natalie Ritchie will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on her right knee Friday, Nov. 10. Surgery was performed to remove loose bodies.
Senior Katrisa O'Neal ranks second on Tech's all-time career list for steals with 274. She needs 29 steals to tie Camille Franklin for first on the list with 303 steals.
Home Court Streak
Texas Tech is tied for the second longest home-court winning streak in Division I women's basketball. Tech has won 31 straight home games along with Kent. Leading the way is Grambling with 66 home victories.
Lady Raiders in the Polls
Since January 20, 1992, the Lady Raiders have been ranked in the Top 25 in Associated Press and/or the USA Today poll a total of 1587 weeks. That includes this week's rankings of 10th by both the USA Today and the Associated Press.
Sharp One of the Elite
Entering the 2000-01 season, head coach Marsha Sharp's .76367 winning percentage ranks her eighth best in the country. Sharp had a 433-134 career record according to NCAA standards. The NCAA does not include forfeits in the overall record, which was 434-134. Sharp won a game by forfeit during the 1988-89 season against Baylor.
Strength of Schedule
According to the WBCA/Summerville Women's Basketball 2000-01 preseason strength of schedule rankings, Texas Tech ranks 29th overall, which includes all opponents for this season. The Lady Raiders rank 20th in non-conference opponents. | http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/112800aab.html | 2,153 |
BOSTON — With time about to expire on an apparent 4-3 Boston Bruins win over St. Louis today at TD Banknorth Garden, the Blues rushed down ice with an extra attacker.
Keith Tkachuk rifled a shot on net just a stride or two inside the blue line and Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas deflected it into the air. St. Louis center David Backes then batted it out of the air and into the net with just 0.8 seconds left on the clock. After a lengthy video review, the goal was ruled good, just as the referee had called it minutes before.
The Blues went on to win, 5-4, after beating the Bruins, 2-0, in a shootout. So the controversial Backes goal, and whether the forward scored with a high stick, had added meaning to a Bruins team that had to settle for just one point in the standings after taking a two-goal lead into the final 90 seconds of the contest.
“I guess the best way to describe it is, everybody except the people in charge seem to think it wasn’t a goal,” said Bruins head coach Claude Julien after the game. “They’re the ones who decide and it inconclusive. When it’s inconclusive, it goes with what the referee called there initially, and he called it a goal. There’s not much else I can say about it.”
Bruins forward Blake Wheeler, who was down in the dumps for his own reasons (a missed empty net and a failed attempt in the shootout), wasn’t letting his mind linger on the Backes score.
“At that point, I expected it to be good,” said Wheeler. “They did a good job of getting pucks to the net, crashing the net and they got rewarded. To me, it was hindsight. It was a goal and we just had to move on.”
Backes said after the game that he tried not to watch the replay too many times. Once the ruling came down, obviously, he agreed with it.
“It’s just like football, anywhere,” he said. “If there’s not conclusive evidence, then they can’t overturn it. When you’re looking at heights, you have to try it four feet across the plane on the ice, and it’s tough to find it conclusive on the ice.”
An inconclusive replay and a conclusive Bruins’ loss that proved the team is suddenly struggling to find its identity with four key forwards and two key defensemen out of the line-up. There’s just one more game before the All-Star break to right the ship, or the club will have four days of miring in misery. | http://www.thebruinsblog.net/2009/01/19/backes-borderline-goal-capped-comeback/ | 584 |
BOSTON — There’s no telling how many times he’s done it in the past, but Bruins winger Daniel Paille called his shot in the morning skate.
“He told me this morning he was a shooter,” said Shawn Thornton of his linemate Paille, who scored Boston’s third goal in a 5-1 win at the TD Garden. “I guess I have to tend to believe him from now on.”
Paille cashed in on a feed from Gregory Campbell on a 3-on-1 break.
While Thornton drove to the net ahead of backchecking Philadelphia center Mike Richards, Paille ripped a shot inside the far post past goaltender Brian Boucher. The goal gave Boston a 3-0 lead en route to a 5-1 victory that put the Bruins ahead 3-0 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Flyers.
It was just the second goal by the Bruins’ fourth line in this series, which has featured all three players receiving scant minutes at even strength.
“I was feeling pretty good in the morning skate. I had the opportunity to shoot and I just shot it,” said Paille.
The fourth line, or “Energy Line” as they prefer to be known, was a force throughout the last several weeks of the regular season once Paille joined the fray as the left winger. In the playoffs, they’ve formed something of a forgotten trio. All three players have admitted to having a tough time adjusting to playing fewer minutes.
Nonetheless, they showed little rust tonight. In addition to their goal, they also generated other chances with a fearsome forecheck. And Paille threw at hit at Phiadelphia’s Kris Versteeg at the Flyers’ blue line that looked like it sent the winger back to Broad Street.
“It’s been a while [since I lined someone up like that]. So it was nice,” said Paille. “I felt that I knew [Versteeg] was cutting so I was just trying to square off and not to stick a leg out so I was glad to be centered on him.”
That’s the type of hit that can give a team momentum as much as a big odd-man-rush goal. Boston’s fourth line more than made up for being on the ice for a goal against late in the second period. There’s nothing much more head coach Claude Julien could ask out of that trio.
“Well obviously they were a good line for us tonight,” said the coach. “And no doubt that that goal against kind of stung them a little bit. But we had a chat with them after the second period and they had done everything right, there was one little mistake made on the play. They came out and they still had a couple of good opportunities to score as well.
“Soupy [Campbell] had a chance in tight and they did a great job, especially in the offensive zone, they kept the puck in and they made some plays. Again, this is a line that we counted on all year. It’s also a line that we think is one of the better fourth lines we’ve seen in the league. And when we need them they are there for us.” | http://www.thebruinsblog.net/2011/05/04/paille-goal-makes-sure-bruins-4th-line-rewards-coachs-faith/?wpmp_switcher=desktop | 707 |
New York Rangers Sean Avery (16) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Mary Altaffer
NEW YORK - Sean Avery shook up the Philadelphia Flyers with his grit and gift of gab. And just when they had enough of that, he beat them with his stick.
Avery scored two power-play goals and drew a pair of penalties to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Flyers on Sunday.
"He gets the puck, and five guys on their team want to kill him," linemate Scott Gomez said.
Avery has scored in three straight games and has four goals in that stretch. As it was during his first stint with the Rangers, before he was banished by the Dallas Stars for crude public comments, New York performs better with him in the lineup (4-2).
"The first couple of games I was just so nervous, kind of playing a little too hard," Avery said. "I'm just trying to slow it down, think about the plays and where they're going to end up.
"I feel good as far as just being happy that I'm out playing, and trying to play hard and help the team win. I've gotten some good bounces and I've gotten some good passes. It's tough to explain. Obviously, the team playing better is something that helps a lot."
Nik Antropov also scored a man-advantage goal for the Rangers, who matched their season high with three power-play tallies on nine chances and split a weekend home-and-home series with the Flyers.
"They took way too many penalties to be able to win this game, and our power play was outstanding," said Henrik Lundqvist, who made 24 saves.
New York, which began the day eighth in the Eastern Conference, moved to within four points of fourth-place Philadelphia. The teams have two meetings remaining.
Fredrik Sjostrom scored a wraparound goal at even strength to make it 4-1, giving the Rangers their fifth win in nine games (5-3-1) since John Tortorella replaced fired coach Tom Renney.
Tortorella's 244th NHL win moved him into a tie with Peter Laviolette for the most victories by a U.S.-born coach.
Lundqvist earned his 31st win, allowing only Simon Gagne's power-play goal in the second. He was already the first goalie to post 30 victories in each of his first four NHL seasons.
Avery staked the Rangers to a 1-0 lead in the first period and added his second in the third while New York enjoyed a five-minute power play.
Flyers defenceman Braydon Coburn was ejected in the closing seconds of the second after hitting Antropov in the head with his stick near centre ice, drawing a match penalty. New York scored only once on the advantage, but coupled with Andrew Alberts' charging infraction on Avery, Philadelphia was short-handed for the first seven minutes of the third.
"It was retaliation," Coburn said. "I was kind of protecting myself.
"I thought he was going to come at me again."
Avery has four goals in seven games since rejoining New York, topping the three he had in 27 games earlier this season with Dallas. He got under the skin of Flyers forward Jeff Carter, who was called for hooking him in the first period.
"His probation period is over and now he's back to his old antics and we got sucked in," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "He obviously had a game plan.
"Give him credit. That's what he does best."
One day after Martin Biron made 39 saves in beating the Rangers, he gave way to backup Antero Niittymaki, who stopped 35 shots.
"It's an emotional game every time we play the Rangers," Coburn said. "We were trying to match their intensity and they were trying to match ours."
Antropov gave New York its second one-goal lead 8:27 into the second when he snapped a shot in off the post from the right circle.
New York grabbed a 1-0 edge in the first period for the second straight game. Avery got his stick blade on Derek Morris's shot in front and tipped the puck under the crossbar, popping up the water bottle with two minutes left. He went into his trademark arm-pumping glide in celebration.
"He's very underrated as a player," Rangers captain Chris Drury said. "He's skilled and people are starting to realize how good he is besides all the other stuff.
"Rather than booing us they're chanting 'Avery.' I'll take that any game."
The Rangers had 14 straight failed power-play chances before Avery broke the drought. Antropov's goal gave them two man-advantage goals for the second time in six games after they had gone 16 straight without doing it.
Gagne tied it for the Flyers 4:32 into the second. Avery got to a loose puck in front to make it 3-1 at 2:45 of the third, and Sjostrom closed the scoring with 9:49 left.
Notes: It was the Rangers' 150th consecutive home sellout. ... Antropov has three goals in six games since being acquired from Toronto. ... Philadelphia is 7-4-3 in the second half of back-to-back games. New York improved to 7-5-1.
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Stephen Harper has nine goals and 20 points in 34 games for Erie this season. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)
It’s been a good news-bad news week for fans of Team USA’s World Junior Championship entry. On the positive side of the ledger, Alex Galchenyuk was named Ontario League player of the week thanks to eight points in two games. But the black cloud concerns Stefan Noesen, the power forward whose 10-game suspension for charging is being upheld by the International Ice Hockey Federation, meaning he is ineligible to play in Russia. Here’s a look at some of the other names making noise in the prospect world.
As a second-year man on the Otters, Harper has seen the lows. Last season’s basement finish earned Erie the services of exceptional status talent Connor McDavid, but his housemate would prefer not to have such a high pick again this summer.
“We’re still a young team,” Harper said. “We’re better than last year, but we’re still near the bottom of the league, so that’s unacceptable. But we’ll improve.”
In the name of bonding, the Otters have put on a bunch of fun events already this year, one that saw the rookies testing their mettle when it came to some scorching-hot chicken wings.
“Definitely wing night was pretty funny,” Harper said. “We have ping pong tournaments and Sewer Ball (aka two-touch soccer) before games – that gets heated, I’m not gonna lie. And we have games night every few weeks, so that’s fun.”
When he’s not playing Jenga, Harper is busy making his presence felt on the ice with his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame. He’s been hot of late, picking up five points in the midst of a four-game streak, the last three being Erie wins.
“When I’m hitting out there, using my speed, getting down low in the corners and along the boards, I can be pretty dangerous,” he said. “And when I can get my shot off, I can put the puck in the net.”
Overall, Harper has 20 points through 34 games. Putting together more strings like the one he’s on right now is a goal.
“For me, it’s consistency. I need to bring it day in and day out. If I work hard in games and practices that will lead to success.”
And with a growing core in Erie, that success will steadily improve as the kids find their way. Draft eligible in 2013.
The quietest name on Team Canada’s splashy blueline, Wotherspoon nevertheless will be an important cog at the world juniors. His enviable size (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) and safe play will allow his defensive partners to freelance without worrying too much about the consequences of a rush gone wrong. Drafted 57th overall by Calgary in 2011.
Noesen’s loss may be Barber’s gain at the world juniors. Though the Miami freshman was not invited to Team USA’s summer camp, his play for the Hawks warranted winter inclusion and he currently leads the conference in scoring with 22 points in 18 games. Now there’s one less winger to contend with for the final cut. Drafted 167th overall by Washington in 2012.
The former member of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack was named best forward at the WJC’s Division 1A tourney, notching five goals and 10 points in five games to lead the bracket for Belarus. Hard-working and talented, Gavrus went home in the summer and never returned, though the Attack hope to see him again soon. Drafted 180th overall by New Jersey in 2012.
Struggling on a deep Penticton team, Dancs got just what he needed when a trade sent him to the similarly scuffling Vipers. After recording just five points in 24 games with Penticton, the University of Michigan commit has four in his first five outings with Vernon. Dancs is a smart player with great size at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. Draft eligible in 2013.
OK, so no one is going to catch Justin Schultz in the scoring race, whether they be rookies or defensemen. Clendening also happens to be both and were it not for the blazing Baron, he’d be getting a lot more press. Rockford’s offensive defenseman has put up four goals and 20 points in 24 games, confirming his instincts that he was ready to leave Boston University after just two seasons. Drafted 36th overall by Chicago in 2011.
The confident keeper has won four straight since getting pulled in a wild loss to Blainville-Boisbriand, surrendering just seven goals in the span. Desrosiers boasts good size and positioning and has improved his save percentage up to .906, putting him top five in the league. Draft eligible in 2013.
With six points in his past three games, Nelson is on a rampage for the Sound Tigers. The University of North Dakota alum is a top five rookie scorer in the ‘A’ with 22 points in 25 games overall. Nelson knows the game, knows where to be and has the talent to bury his opportunities when he gets them. Drafted 30th overall by the New York Islanders in 2010.
Norway is heading back up to the top rung of the world juniors, going 5-0 in Division 1A to earn promotion. Soberg, a speedy and determined winger, ranked second in team scoring with a goal and seven points in that span and has been a solid contributor to Frolunda’s junior edition. Draft eligible in 2013.
Currently sitting on a devilish stat line of six goals, six assists in six games, Glienke is a whole lot to handle in the offensive zone at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, plus he can move well for a big man. A matchup with Burnsville Tuesday night was the latest measuring stick for Glienke and the Cats, who have played a lot of quality teams already. Draft eligible in 2013.
The Hot List, a roundup of minor league, junior, college and high school players we’re excited to one day see in the NHL, appears every Tuesday on thehockeynews.com. A player is eligible for The Hot List until they play their first NHL game.
For more great prospect profiles and news and views from the world of hockey, subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
AdvertisementThis Week - Subscribe Now | http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/49076-Welcome-back-Otter.html | 1,418 |
CALGARY - Calgary Flames general manager Jay Feaster says the team performed due diligence before signing Colorado forward Ryan O'Reilly to an offer sheet.
The Flames released a statement Friday afternoon after Rogers Sportsnet reported that O'Reilly would have been placed on waivers if the Avalanche hadn't matched Calgary's offer sheet.
Had the deal played out that way, the Flames would have lost a first- and third-round draft pick and O'Reilly, who would have likely been snapped up by another team.
That would have been an unacceptable result for any team, but particularly devastating to an aging Flames squad struggling to get into the Western Conference playoff picture.
According to the NHL's collective agreement, O'Reilly would have had to clear waivers because he played two games in Russia's KHL after the start of the NHL season.
But Feaster said in a statement that the team did its research before drafting the offer sheet for O'Reilly, who led Colorado in scoring with 55 points last season.
"Prior to tendering the offer sheet for Ryan O'Reilly we, as a hockey operations department, examined whether there were any impediments to our successfully securing the services of the player including, but not limited to, his having played in the KHL after the start of the current NHL season," Feaster said.
At issue is Article 13.23 of the collective bargaining agreement, which states that a professional or former professional player that played in a league outside North America after the start of the NHL regular season must clear waivers before playing in the NHL that same season.
An amendment to that article was made in the latest agreement, allowing teams re-signing their own restricted free agents to avoid the waiver process, which means Colorado won't risk losing O'Reilly by matching the offer sheet.
There doesn't appear to be any protection for a team signing a free agent from another club, but Feaster said in the statement that the Flames' interpretation of Article 13.23 "was, and continues to be, different than the NHL's current interpretation."
He also said that the prospect of losing two high draft picks as well as O'Reilly himself is now a moot point since Colorado matched the offer sheet.
The NHL declined to clarify whether O'Reilly would have had to clear waivers if the Avalanche refused to match Calgary's offer sheet.
"We agree with the Flames in the sense that the entire issue has become an academic point," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Canadian Press. "Ryan O'Reilly has signed a contract with the Colorado Avalanche and the contract has been registered. We have nothing further to say on the subject."
Meanwhile, in a move with significantly less drama, the Flames recalled right-winger Brian McGrattan from the Abbotsford Heat on Friday and reassigned Akim Aliu to the American Hockey League affiliate.
Calgary acquired McGrattan on Thursday in a trade with Nashville. The Flames gave up defenceman Joe Piskula in the deal.
McGrattan, who played 34 games for Calgary in the 2009-10 campaign, played two games with the Predators and six games with AHL Milwaukee this season.
Aliu played two games for the Flames on his callup and registered 10 penalty minutes.
AdvertisementThis Week - Subscribe Now | http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/50324-Flames-recall-veteran-tough-guy-Brian-McGrattan-and-reassign-Akim-Aliu.html | 676 |
Dyke will be a success, says Bernstein
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FA chairman David Bernstein has given his backing to the appointment of Greg Dyke who will succeed him in July.
Mr Bernstein, 69, was appointed in 2010 and is forced to relinquish the post when he reaches 70 under FA rules.
"I would like to congratulate Greg Dyke on his nomination to succeed me in July as FA Chairman," said Mr Bernstein. "I wish him every success in this stimulating but demanding role.
"I will ensure that the handover is dealt with efficiently to help in maintaining the stability that has been achieved by The FA since 2010." | http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/103672/dyke-will-be-a-success-says-bernstein | 133 |
Wenger says Chamakh’s future on the line at Arsenal
LONDON, April 6 — Marouane Chamakh’s future at Arsenal is in the balance, manager Arsene Wenger said today adding that he did not know whether the Moroccan international would still be at the club next season.
Chamakh, 28, was photographed smoking a shisha pipe after last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Queens Park Rangers, and he has not exactly been in red hot form on the pitch this season.
He has started only seven matches for Arsenal this season and his only goal in a total of 17 appearances came in the 4-3 defeat at Blackburn Rovers last September.
He has not started a match since the FA Cup win over Leeds United in January and Wenger appeared unimpressed over last week’s photograph when he spoke to reporters at the club’s training ground at London Colney today.
“It’s not the best thing to do,” said Wenger. “Will he stay at club next season? It’s too early to say. We want him to focus completely — without smoking.”.
Arsenal, who are currently third, play second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League at home on Sunday.
Wenger said it was still too soon to say whether midfielder Jack Wilshere will play for Arsenal this season, or for England at the European championships.
The 20-year-old has not featured at all because of an ankle injury which required surgery and Wenger said: “We try to keep the hope alive for him and without taking too many risks.
“That means we adapt day to day, to manage him, to improve his physical state and get him fit as quickly as we can without taking too big a risk, which means when he has pain we stop him.”
He was far from optimistic about Wilshere’s chances of playing in the Euros for England in June either, explaining: “To go to a big competition without having played at all is impossible.
“In the next four or five weeks we will know more and the next three weeks will be decisive. A player who wants to play in June would have to be competitive at the end of April.” — Reuters | http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sports/article/wenger-says-chamakhs-future-on-the-line-at-arsenal/ | 478 |
England might have been nervous that historically Sweden has done well against them. In tournament play, the Scandinavians had not lost in seven meetings. England's Roy Hodgson studied the Swedish defense and decided that one of their problems was defending against aerial attacks. As a result, Andy Carroll was included in the line-up to take advantage of this weakness.
The decision paid off, as the Liverpool striker was responsible for the only goal of the first half. In the 23rd minute, he headed a goal that both silenced his critics and put the English side in a good position at the break.
Unfortunately, it was not to last. Early in the second half, former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg scored two quick goals, and made many English fans nervous that their hopes of getting out of the group round were to be futile. Both Swedish goals came from set pieces and exposed one weakness of the English side's defense.
Arsenal's Theo Walcott was substituted an hour in for an underperforming James Milner, and he quickly made a significant difference. First he scored a beautiful bending shot in the 64th minute, and then he set up Danny Welbeck's winner in the 78th minute.
The latter's goal was one of those goal's that will be included in the highlight reel of this tournament. Walcott's pass from the byline met Welbeck who deftly flicked it on with a backheel as he was spinning round.
The English fans must have felt like they had been on an amusement ride emotionally. First they were up at the half, and their team had looked dominant and in control, and then they were forced to climb out of a hole because of those two Swedish goals at the beginning of the second half. That their team equalised was one thing, but the relief when they actually won was evident on the faces of the English fans in the stadium in Kyiv.
Now, they only have to draw with the hosts Ukraine in order to move on to the second round. In the opening minutes of the second half, this position seemed like an unrealistic dream.
|Will the new Alternative for Germany party find significant backing? by Timothy||May 03, 2013, 01:44:04 PM|
|Should Turkey be allowed into the EU? by Timothy||May 03, 2013, 01:42:36 PM|
|Are Bavarian politicians overpaid? by Timothy||May 03, 2013, 01:41:42 PM|
|Should emigrants have a vote? by Timothy||May 03, 2013, 01:40:46 PM| | http://www.themunicheye.com/news-services/display_article.php?news_title=Three%2520Lions%2520roar%2520back%2520to%2520beat%2520Sweden&article_id=1463 | 526 |
A tough day for the Houston Rockets ended with a tough NBA loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In a show of support for coach Kevin McHale, Rockets team members had flown to Minnesota for the funeral of his daughter, Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, who died on Saturday after a lengthy battle with the autoimmune disease lupus.
From there they went to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder's Kevin Durant scored 37 points in a 120-98 triumph over emotionally depleted Houston.
It was a particularly rough night for James Harden, who scored 17 points on just 3-of-16 shooting in his first return to Oklahoma City since he was traded to Houston in October.
Serge Ibaka added 23 points for the Thunder, who have won six of their last seven games.
Harden said it was the first time he had seen his former coaches and teammates since the trade.
"It was just good to see them, kind of laugh and joke around," he said. "You don't really realise it until you're actually in the position. Just to be warming up on the other side felt kind of weird."
Those feelings didn't improve much as the game went on, but Harden noted before the contest that in terms of the Rockets' season, the contest was no more important than any other.
"This game doesn't count for any more wins or losses," Harden said. "It's the business. You have to move on."
The Brooklyn Nets remain top of the NBA's Atlantic Division after winning a stormy encounter with the Boston Celtics.
The Nets moved to 10-4 for the season with a 95-83 success, built around 18 points from Joe Johnson and 17 from Andray Blatche, who also claimed 13 rebounds.
But the Nets also had Rajon Rondo ejected for a shove on Kris Humphries, while both Humphries and Gerrard Wallace were ejected for a second-quarter fight.
The Washington Wizards finally claimed their first victory of the season to end a run of 12 straight defeats.
The Portland Trail Blazers were their victims, going down 84-82 as Jordan Crawford top-scored with 19 points.
Luol Deng's 22 points inspired the Chicago Bulls to a 101-78 success against the Dallas Mavericks.
The NBA's form side, the Memphis Grizzlies, claimed a third successive victory after seeing off the Toronto Raptors 103-82.
Marreese Speights chipped in with 18 points and 12 rebounds, with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph both adding 17 points as the Grizzlies extended their record to 11 wins from 13 games.
The New York Knicks claimed a convincing 102-88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks as Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points in three quarters before sitting out the last.
There was a sixth successive win for the Atlanta Hawks, 94-91 over the Charlotte Bobcats, while Manu Ginobili's 20 points earned a 110-89 win for the San Antonio Spurs over the Orlando Magic.
The Phoenix Suns were well beaten 117-77 by the Detroit Pistons, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-95 and the Utah Jazz bested the New Orleans Hornets 96-84.
Follow us @SprtNationalUAE | http://www.thenational.ae/sport/north-american-sport/nba-rockets-grounded-on-harden-return-to-oklahoma-city | 654 |
Tre’Shaun Fletcher and the Lincoln Abes are going back to the Tacoma Dome.
Fletcher scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Lincoln’s 55-35 regional round win over Columbia River on Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School.
Fletcher was a different player the last time the Abes reached the Dome. He was just a freshman in 2010, and he even had a different name – Tre’Shaun Lexing.
Now, Fletcher and his Abes have advanced further in the tournament than any Lincoln team since 2008. Lincoln (20-3) advances to play Thursday in the 3A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, with the opponent and game time to be determined at a seeding draw today.
“It’s about time,” Lincoln coach Aubrey Shelton said. “The last three years we lost in the round of 16 – it feels good getting over that hump.”
Lincoln played stifling defense in the first half, holding Columbia River to just four points in each of the first two quarters. The Abes used a 14-0 scoring run in the second quarter to pull away, taking a 26-8 lead into halftime.
“We knew they were a walk-the-ball-up team, so we wanted to up the tempo,” Fletcher said.
Not only did Lincoln pressure the ball, but the Abes’ defensive effort also limited the open looks for Columbia River.
“The last four games have been our best defensive games, and
a lot of that is due to mentality,” Shelton said. “We’re really starting to play that traditional Lincoln defense.”
Now Fletcher and the Abes take their show to the bright lights of the Tacoma Dome. Shelton is expecting big things from Fletcher.
“He’s a four-year varsity starter, he’s won three district titles, and now he’s going to the elite eight for the first time,” said Shelton. “I’m excited to see what he is going to bring.”
But the Chieftains (17-7) didn’t go down without a fight. Twice in the second half, senior Rian Bassett threw down a mammoth alley-oop dunk.
But each time Bassett appeared to swing the momentum in Columbia River’s direction, Lincoln immediately answered with a 3-pointer – one by Ahmaad Rorie, and another by Josiah Barsh.
Senior center Isaiah Smith led the Chieftains with 16 points and nine rebounds. | http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/24/2487404/fletcher-punches-return-ticket.html?storylink=rss | 548 |
Gaming company creates iPotty for potty training toddlers
What's next in the world of lap tops, smart phones and iPads?
This potty training toilet has an adjustable stand specifically made for mounting an iPad so toddlers can play games and watch videos, reports WDIV. The potty costs $40. But critics argue that distractions diminish the experience of potty training.
What do you think?
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- Walled Lake Central student council hosting fundraiser for 10-year-old boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (3)
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Join Jonathan Schechter as he shares thoughts on our natural world in Oakland County and beyond. | http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/01/23/news/doc50ffde6382b88424968413.txt?viewmode=3 | 341 |
Patriots Have Everyone Cheering
The Pinecrest High School football team has captivated the entire community with its improbable season.
The Patriots will make their first playoff appearance since 1996 on Friday when they visit defending 4A state champion J.T. Hoggard in Wilmington -- a remarkable feat for a program that was on death's doorstep two years ago and hasn't had a winning season since 1995.
"It goes without saying, it's unbelievable," said Tom Benton, head of the Pinecrest Football Boosters. "The excitement and enthusiasm is incredible."
Benton called second-year head coach Chris Metzger the key ingredient to the football team's revival. Metzger came to Pinecrest from Lely High School in Naples, Fla., in early 2007.
"It's just unbelievable to think where we're at," Benton said. "But it's easy to understand why when you're around Coach Metzger and his staff."
The team was a combined 3-40 in the four years before Metzger arrived, and it had lost an astonishing 30 conference games in a row.
There were serious doubts about the future of the struggling program two years ago when the Moore County Board of Education considered eliminating it altogether.
In Metzger's first season, the Patriots squad showed improvement and finished the year at 3-8. But the 2008 campaign has proved to be something the community could have never imagined.
Pinecrest quickly jumped out to a 4-0 start, beating in-county rival Union Pines and stunning a Southern Lee team that beat them 63-0 in 2006.
After dropping a tough one to Douglas Byrd, the Patriots registered back-to-back wins against Scotland and Richmond counties, both powerhouse teams in the conference. The win over the Scots was Pinecrest's first conference victory since 2002 and first over that school since 1996. The win over Richmond was the first over that school since 1992 and only its third conference loss since the league was established in 2001. It was a monumental upset.
Pinecrest's win over Hoke County the following week was the first since 1996.
When it went to 6-1 and then 7-1, the Patriots began receiving votes in the AP coaches' poll. Despite a three-game losing streak, Pinecrest finished the regular season at 7-4. Facing J.T. Hoggard will be a stiff test for the Patriots, but Metzger said his team is ready for the challenge.
"This is the first time in the playoffs in 12 years, so from that standpoint it's a great thing for our community," he said. "This is where we want to be. We want to play great teams. It's why we play the schedule we do.
"We're not just happy to be in it. We're going out to compete."
'Total Community Effort'
Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, Benton said that community support for the team has been incredible. Students and faculty at Pinecrest have been buzzing about the team all season.
Home crowds have been huge and raucous, even in a rainstorm during the homecoming game versus Hoke County. Concession sales at games have skyrocketed.
"It's a rallying point for the entire community," he said. "I couldn't ask for anything more."
Pinecrest athletic director Ernie Purnsley agreed that there's been a lot of buzz going around the school.
"It's been an exciting time here," he said. "It's been a tremendous year for all sports at Pinecrest."
He called the rebuilding of the football program "a total community effort."
The success of the team has spurred unprecedented interest in football among younger children in the community. Southern Moore County has long been considered "soccer territory," with the Sandhills Celtic Soccer Club (SCSC), formerly Sandhills Youth Soccer League, program enjoying high participation year in and year out.
But this year, the football program sponsored by the Optimist Club, of which Benton is a member, has seen a large increase in participation.
"We've had to turn a bunch of kids away because of a lack of equipment," he said. "The enthusiasm and quality of play is unbelievable."
Southern Pines Mayor Mike Haney said he was "in awe" of what Pinecrest has been able to accomplish this year. He said the pride the team has generated is such an important part of the community. He said it is vital for the public school to have public support.
"It's so important to the community to have pride in the high school that represents us," he said. "It's such an important part of the pride we have in our community."
Benton and Haney both pointed out that football and school spirit are such integral parts of most communities.
Haney said that when he first moved to Southern Pines, he noticed a lack of school spirit and loyalty to Pinecrest. He said this football season and the effects it is having on the area is a culmination of all the hard work of so many people committed to ensuring Pinecrest take its "appropriate place" in the community.
"I'm so proud and grateful for what's been accomplished at Pinecrest High School and in our community," he said. "I really do salute those folks."
Contact John Krahnert III at 693-2473 or by e-mail at [email protected].
More like this story | http://www.thepilot.com/news/2008/nov/14/patriots-have-everyone-cheering/ | 1,155 |
Albemarle Runs Past Mustangs
Visiting Albemarle cruised to a 68-0 win over the North Moore football team Friday.
The defending 1-AA state champion Bulldogs (6-4, 4-2 Yadkin Valley Conference) jumped out to a 40-0 halftime lead, powered by a strong running game. Marquis McCormick scored on a 73-yard touchdown run and on a 43-yard screen pass from quarterback Nat Dunlap in the first half. Fellow back Demetrius Hamilton scored two touchdown runs of his own — from 1 and 58 yards.
Tthe Mustangs (1-8, 1-5 YVC) were able to move the ball at times against the Bull-dog defense, but had trouble sustaining drives. Turnovers again contributed to some of North Moore’s troubles.
Head coach Greg Simmons was pleased with the effort his players put forth in the contest.
“I thought the kids competed and played the whole game,” he said. “That was something that I wanted to see that I didn’t see last week (against South Stanly). They played the whole game. I told them before the game that if you’re an athlete if you play any sport, if you do anything, you judge yourself versus the best.”
Because his team is banged up, Simmons said he was basically playing with 15 kids Friday. He said guys stepped up and played hard, which is all he can ask from them.
“If they can have that kind of mental toughness all the time,” he said, “then I still think we can be a pretty good team.”
Giving up big plays has been an Achilles’ heel for North Moore all season, and Albemarle was able to make a few of them Friday night. Three of their touchdowns came on plays of 40 yards or more.
Simmons said that his team has to find ways to make plays every time it has an opportunity on both sides of the ball. He added that there were chances to stop Albemarle, but North Moore just couldn’t do it.
He still thinks his squad has made great strides this season.
“Anyone can say anything negative they want, but they’re not out here seeing how far some of these kids have come as men,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part of that.”
One game remains for the Mustangs’ regular season — conference opponent Chat-ham Central (2-9, 1-5 YVC) pays a visit to Robbins on Friday.
The Bears’ two wins have come against Albemarle (by forfeit) and Union Pines in a 29-27 thriller on Sept. 3.
Last season, the Mustangs beat the Bears on the road for their only win of the season, 22-13, to snap a 13-game losing streak.
“We gotta watch film and gotta figure out what they do,” Simmons said. “They beat a team that beat us in Union Pines this year. They’re going to be looking forward to playing us, too, because they feel like they can beat us. It’s going to be the last game of the year, it’s home, it’s Senior Night. You can’t ask for anything more than that. We’re just going to try to have the best week of practice we’ve had.”
More like this story | http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/oct/31/albemarle-runs-past-mustangs/ | 745 |
They have the brawn and the talent, and now, they also have the money. These ten athletes are the best of the best in their respective fields and they have translated their success into millions of dollars in earnings and commercial endorsements. They are winners not only in terms of sports glory, but also in financial wealth.
1. Floyd Mayweather, Boxing – $85 million
He responds to the name of Money, and Pretty Boy Floyd has every right to do so. He chooses his opponents carefully, and then methodically cuts them down. He is unbeaten in professional boxing, and has plowed down the likes of Miguel Cotto, Oscar dela Hoya and Shane Mosley, all of who are potential Hall of Fame inductees. Mayweather also knows how to sell his fights, often building an intense antagonism with his opponent to further stoke the public’s interest. And it pays off all the time. The three biggest pay-per-view fights in history outside the heavyweight ranks were all co-headlined by Mayweather. He is considered the best boxer pound-for-pound in the world today, although he can certainly cement that status, as well as earn even more money, if he heeds the public’s clamor for him to fight Manny Pacquiao. It would not hurt if he turns in a good leaf too. Imagine if companies will consider him as an ideal endorser; that would certainly add to his $85 million in pure earnings.
2. Manny Pacquiao, Boxing – $62 million
Once considered the best boxer in the world pound-for-pound with titles in eight weight classes, he has since dropped to second spot. Not that he has stopped fighting, but his victories over Mosley and Antonio Margarito were not as resounding, as he showed mercy to his outclassed opponents and did not go for a knockout. There was also the controversial win over nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as an equally controversial loss to Timothy Bradley, in which nobody outside of the three judges and Bradley himself thought of the decision as correct. Perhaps, only a fight with Mayweather will wake him up from his recent stupor, though he has been awake enough to maximize his earnings by agreeing to several commercial deals. The man known as Pacman has gobbled up endorsements with Hewlett Packard, Nike and Hennessey.
3. Tiger Woods, Golf – $59.4 million
There was a time when golf enthusiasts wonder if Tiger Woods would ever lose. After a messy divorce, Tiger’s game has dropped and many are now wondering if he will ever win again. Not that he really needs it. His status as an all-time great has already been confirmed by his 14 victories in major tournaments. And he still raked in nearly $60 million last year, including $4.4 million in endorsements. Those numbers may be peanuts compared to previous years when he was top of the list, but they are still good enough for number three. Besides, he is still only 36 years old, which is not that old in golfing terms. So watch out, as the Tiger is still on the prowl.
4. Lebron James, Basketball – $53 million
Critics have always been waiting for Lebron to make a mistake. They say he disappears during the clutch, passes the ball when he needs to take it strong to the hoop, and gives responsibility to his teammates too much. Lebron made them all shut up last year when he finally got his ring. He can play four positions on the hard court, can defend as well as anyone, and can do pretty much anything with the basketball. He may not be the NBA’s top earner salary-wise, but his prowess has attracted companies like Nike, McDonalds, Sprite and Audemars Piguet. Endorsements alone bring him $40 million.
5. Roger Federer, Tennis – $52.7 million
Years of domination at the top was followed by successful challenges from players like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but Roger Federer still knows how to win. And he proved it by winning in Wimbledon again earlier this year, his 17th major and 7th in the most prestigious tournament of all. Even if he doesn’t win that many tournaments anymore, endorsements with Nike, Rolex and Mercedes Benz will help keep Federer more than afloat.
6. Kobe Bryant, Basketball – $52.3 million
He is the highest-paid player in the NBA. He has five rings, has been the MVP and has two Olympic gold medals. He has lucrative deals with Nike, Vitamin Water and Turkish Airlines. The Black Mamba has got it all.
7. Phil Mickelson, Golf – $47.8 million
Mickelson is right-handed but with a southpaw swing, thus earning himself the nickname Lefty. And Lefty has delivered, winning four majors along the way. He has struck it huge in the endorsement game as well, with Rolex, Exxon and Callaway all under his wing.
8. David Beckham, Soccer – $46 million
This guy is a winner. He has played for arguably the most glamorous teams in the toughest leagues in the world, namely Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan. He has won domestic and European championships along the way. He now plays for the LA Galaxy in the US, where he currently resides with his Spice Girl wife, Victoria. And he has a lucrative deal with Adidas, Samsung and H&M.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer – $42.5 million
His skills while he was at Sporting Clube de Portugal when he was 18 caught the attention of Manchester United, which promptly signed him up. His all-around play at Old Trafford caught the attention of Real Madrid, which pried him away for more than $130 million. His sublime artistry has caught the attention of Nike and Castrol, which pay him $22 million for his endorsement. And he has caught the attention of the world, having won various Player of the Year honors the past few years.
10. Peyton Manning, Football – $42.4 million
Sidelined for an extended period because of injuries, Manning took his talent to Denver after 13 years in Indianapolis. He won the Super Bowl with the Colts, and he aims to do the same for the Broncos. And Gatorade and MasterCard couldn’t be any happier; after all, they still have an elite quarterback to promote their brands. | http://www.therichest.org/sports/the-top-ten-highest-paid-athletes-in-the-world/ | 1,344 |
Everton rocked by Neville KO
EVERTON skipper Phil Neville faces two months out after undergoing a knee operation.
Manager David Moyes confirmed the news after his team’s 2-1 defeat at Reading this afternoon.
Neville’s absence is a blow to a team already without fellow midfielder Darron Gibson, who missed a 10th successive match with a thigh problem.
Moyes admitted that his influence was missed as Reading fought back to win their first league game of the season.
The Toffees boss said: "He had an operation on his knee yesterday that could keep him out for six to eight weeks.
“His leadership was missed but we were missing quite a lot of senior players today and you could see that by our bench. Thomas Hitzlsperger did OK, not too bad.”
Everton are likely to be without 35-year-old Neville for a number of key matches in the coming weeks as they prepare to face Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham before Christmas. | http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/football/4650219/Everton-Phil-Neville-has-knee-surgery.html | 212 |
It is such a strong metaphor — even as structured and commercially driven as it is — that this trophy should cross Canada on a train before arriving at the 100th Grey Cup championship in Toronto.
For, just as the national railway has always been credited with linking the East and West of a country that probably should have run north and south, the Grey Cup has helped create, sustain and reflect Canadian self-identity and survivalism. There has been no other sporting hardware, not even the Stanley Cup, that so thoroughly represents everything that Canada is, has been and wants to be. The longest and strongest strings of Canadian culture, geography, history, economics, psyche and symbolism are all inextricably tied to one battered old beaker that was originally meant to be a hockey trophy.
The Grey Cup was first contested in 1909 and, although only Toronto and Hamilton teams had officially competed for it by 1914, when the Last Spike of the Grand National Trunk Railway was driven, Calgary teams had already tried to be included but were rejected on a number of technical issues.
And, in that alone, you had an early link between the Grey Cup and a chronic Canadian condition. Western alienation.
There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of such links and, while few are meaty enough to make the point on their own, their cumulative effect is striking and conclusive. Even though there are no skates involved, the Grey Cup stands for Canada more than any other sporting symbol and likely more than any other nonwar symbol.
Hockey has its own, very valid, very deep, claim on the Canadian soul but its premier reward, the Stanley Cup, has not resided in this country for two decades. By contrast, in its 100 years, the Grey Cup has left this country only once — stimulating a typically Canadian low-key national scandal when Baltimore won in 1995 during the ill-fated “American experiment” — and every single autumn (except the four years during and just after the First World War when it was suspended) the Big Game has been played in Canada. Plus, no other major team game is contested in Canada under different rules and physical geometry than the rest of the world plays, as three-down football is.
And since 1948 — when horse-ridin’, pancake-flippin’ Calgarians jammed western free-spiritedness down the collective throats of Presbyterian Ontario at the Royal York Hotel, the very bastion of starchy eastern conservatism — the Grey Cup festival has been a unique emblem of a national emotional blowout.
Unlike championships in hockey, basketball and baseball, which generally require a series of games and can’t be played at a predetermined site, the Grey Cup game is an annual event on the Canadian calendar. It’s had high times and low times, but it survives and prevails against long odds, just like the country itself.
And no major national championship, anywhere, has been so repeatedly affected by climate.
Weather is the sculptor of the Canadian psyche and, since the 1948 Calgary invasion, the Grey Cup has always been a very public recognition the warm fun is almost over and the cold dark is about to begin, so let’s have one last big blowout.
Late-autumn football is like early-spring hockey, with the palpable potential for every form of weather disturbance. Except big-league hockey hasn’t been played outside in the spring for over a century. Although the actual 100th Grey Cup game and probably about 40 per cent of those yet to come are to held be indoors, weather often defines Grey Cup week in the same way it does the whole country: with graphically indelible memories and a love-hate relationship toward dramatic environmental conditions.
Thus, the likes of the 1950 Mud Bowl, the 1962 Fog Bowl, the Wind Bowls of 1965 and ’95, the Sod Bowl of 1970 and the Ice Bowl of 1977 merited their own instant subtitles, reeking of both pride and revulsion.
The Grey Cup’s dominant-team eras and the game site itself have often marked major Canadian trends, paradigm shifts or historical occasions.
There were so many jurisdictional disputes about which teams (mostly amateur sides) could or couldn’t compete in the national championship in the early years that a committee was struck to determine participants and create compromises, reflecting a Canadian trait that has resulted in scores of Royal Commissions.
The Grey Cup suspended operations during the First World War, as did so many other entertainment enterprises, but while individual teams and leagues took a hiatus for much of the Second World War, the Grey Cup game did not. Service teams featuring many of the country’s top war-bound players stepped in, taking part in the Cup games to vast national approval, raising morale across the country and across the ocean. No such military teams competed for the World Series or the Stanley Cup.
The Cup Game was essentially Ontario-based and Eastern-centric until Winnipeg won in 1935, mirroring the older economic and organizational history of the East. But despite growing Western strength the East remained more powerful — and played host to all the Grey Cup games — just like in real Canadian life.
The handful of Grey Cup dynasties were also accurate portrayals of the current state of the cities they represented.
When the Ticats were in eight Cup games from 1957 to ’67, the industrial economy was peaking and steel was at the heart of everything. And their teams, like the fans in its intimate unadorned stadium, were regarded as guileless, angrily physical and dangerous. Their Western counterparts of the era, the slickly talented and dominant Winnipeg Blue Bombers, came from a city that was richer and far more sophisticated than the rest of the West in the 1960s, largely because of its central railroad-hub status and economy.
The Alouettes, who made three straight Cup appearances in the mid-1950s, represented an English culture and a city that was regarded as Canada’s biggest and best, but the Als, who have played in most of the Grey Cups of this new century, are firmly implanted in the new French and allophone culture of Montreal, a city undergoing an economic recovery as startling as the Alouettes’.
The Edmonton Eskimos’ record-setting five straight Cup victories beginning in 1978 walked hand in hand with the energy-driven ascendance of Alberta as a major economic power. In their Cup streak, they beat all four Eastern teams in succession, a metaphorical “Let those Eastern Bastards Freeze in the Dark.”
In the early Cup years, Toronto teams dominated. As the country grew up, the city still hosted most of the Cup games but were hardly ever in them, creating an annual opportunity for the rest of the country to engage in its favourite hobby: mocking Hogtown’s perceived self-inflation.
Because of its single-game format with a predetermined site, the Grey Cup festival can be scheduled to coincide with important moments or trends in Canadian history. In the Centennial Year of 1967, it was held in Ottawa. In 1969, just two years after Expo, the Olympics on the horizon and Montreal and its most famous citizen gaining international prominence, Pierre Trudeau performed the ceremonial kickoff at the Autostade. The then-SkyDome hosted the best Cup game in history in 1989, just five months after it became the first convertible-domed stadium in the world.
Besides blatancy of the 100th Grey Cup being held during the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, Canada’s conflicted attitude toward the U.S. has always been almost perfectly encapsulated in Canadian football and its major championship.
It was the value, itself, of winning the Cup that led to the concept of limiting the number of import players in Canadian pro football, a principle that still exists today. The first formal legislation of 1946 capped Cup-eligible teams at five American players, a ceiling that rose in well-protested increments until, by the end of the 1950s, it was up to a dozen (or half the total starters) and today it is 17 of the 24 starters.
This restriction was, in a sense, the first official and long-running Can-Con regulation in Canada and arguably created a successful example — and more importantly a national mindset — for similar, and ultimately successful, legislative protections to stimulate the Canadian music, broadcasting and movie industries.”
But, most significantly, the Grey Cup is a symbol of and contributor to Canadian unity. Even, and most especially, in the CFL’s darkest era of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Grey Cup was a lonely beacon. The games themselves were mostly fabulous and, while the league seemed ready to implode, the Grey Cup gave it the hope to continue. The Cup was such a saviour in that era that this corner facetiously suggested it be moved to the start of the season, like the Daytona 500 triggers season-long interest in stock cars.
By emphasizing rather than ignoring Canada’s great East-West divide then wrapping it not only in spirits but in the spirit of friendly co-operation, the Grey Cup festival is a mock civil war, after which we are all a bit closer and like each other a lot more than we did the week before. That’s one of the reasons you will see a lot of inebriation at a Grey Cup, but you will see very few ugly drunks.
This almost subconscious celebration of what comprises Canada — and how very Canadian to undervalue one of our greatest assets — has been around since the 1948 Calgary invasion, and has become an annual reaffirmation that this country is worth preserving and saluting. You could make a very strong case that the new demonstrative Canadian nationalism that burst loose at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics had its roots in our oldest fall ritual.
“We are proud to be Canadians and we’re patriotic, but usually you’d have never known that about us,” someone deep inside the CFL once told The Spec. “And Vancouver changed all that.
“But it’s been like that at the Grey Cup for years. It’s just that there were no Norwegians or Russians there to legitimize it. This is what our fans have been doing for 60 or more years at the Grey Cup.
“Cheering for our country, really.” | http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/2194849-grey-cup-reflects-canadian-self-identity-and-survivalism/ | 2,145 |
Paul: Stress this house
PAUL LAMBERT admitted his stress levels were sky high after seeing Aston Villa seal a “massive” win.
Goals from Christian Benteke and Charles N’Zogbia lifted Villa out of the bottom three with their first league success since December.
Benteke scored a penalty after Mark Noble fouled N’Zogbia, who doubled the lead with a spectacular free-kick four minutes later.
Ashley Westwood’s 87th-minute own goal made it a tense finish for Lambo and keeper Brad Guzan had to save from Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole in injury time.
Paul Lambert: Weimann not short of confidence
ASTON VILLA boss backs Austrian after missing sitter as Villans climb out of bottom three
Boss Lambert said: “It’s a massive win, huge, especially after results this weekend.
“But it’s only great when you hear that whistle. The stress levels are ridiculous!
“It’s hard to explain what it’s like in the last few minutes but it’s great when it’s finished and you’ve won.
“Hopefully, that’s the straw that’s broken the camel’s back.”
Lambert singled out his defence for praise after the stick given to Villa’s young back four in recent weeks.
He added: “It was nervy in the last few minutes but the defence were excellent and I’m delighted for them.
“This will be great for their confidence now.”
Sam Allardyce: Brad Guzan was the difference
WEST HAM boss refuses to blame players for missed chances as his side fail to peg back Villans
The relieved Villa boss also praised his goal-scorers — even if Benteke’s penalty was a bit too cool for comfort.
Lambo said: “I don’t know how you can take a penalty like that!
“Charles’ free-kick was world class. He’s really talented but been unlucky with injuries.”
West Ham chief Sam Allardyce reckoned his side did enough for a draw but keeper Guzan was the difference.
Big Sam said: “I thought we’d saved it but we should never have been in that position, that’s the biggest disappointment.
“But it was great goalkeeping in the end. We weren’t clinical enough.” | http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4788672/Paul-Lambert-admits-the-pressure-is-on-at-Aston-Villa.html | 539 |
EXCLUSIVE: New owner of Bradford Bulls tells of his plans for club (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Restaurant boss will be unveiled as new owner at Bradford Bulls' match at Odsal today
Long-awaited salvation was finally secured for stricken Bradford Bulls last night amid threats the club’s administrator would liquidate the famous rugby league club.
Bradford restaurants boss Omar Khan will be officially unveiled as the new club owner during the Super League side’s clash with Hull FC today - but it is understood a deal was only struck after administrators at The P&A Partnership threatened to pull the plug on the financially-crippled side.
Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus shortly after ownership of the club was transferred last night, Mr Khan spoke of his “excitement and exhaustion” after almost two months of negotiations and revealed his plan to build “the Wembley of the North”.
“I want to create a sports arena. We have been talking about this for a long time but nothing has ever been done. This is our chance to achieve this and I will do this if this is the last thing I do.”
Bulls fan Mr Khan, whose bid has been supported by former Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe - now the club's honorary chairman, said he decided to enter the race to save the crisis-torn club from collapse - competing with Bulls’ sporting rivals Bradford Park Avenue and Bradford City - because it is “part of our heritage and we can’t lose that”.
He pledged to invest in the future of the Super League side, put it back on a “solid foundation” and urged the Bradford community to support his vision.
“I believe we can make the Bulls a truly great club at the heart of our community,” he said.
“But I can’t do that alone and need the support of the people of Bradford - fans, businesses, residents. Together, there is nothing we can’t achieve.
“I want the fans and community to be at the heart of this club. That’s my vision. I’m very passionate about Bradford.”
Bradford South Labour MP Mr Sutcliffe said he and Mr Khan were happy to have saved the club from liquidation and looked forward to working with fans and “everyone who cares about sport in Bradford”.
But a Rugby Football League chief last night warned the “hard work starts now” in Bulls’ battle to stay in the top-flight - with its future in the Super League in doubt.
The governing body’s director of licensing and standards Blake Solly, who has been working closely with all parties since news of the Bulls’ financial crisis broke in the Telegraph & Argus on March 27, said: “The future of Bradford Bulls is so vital to the future of the sport – whatever division they are in.
“That was one of the reasons why Super League Europe put forward a bid to purchase the club from the administrator.
“It’s unthinkable that there could be no professional rugby league team in Bradford and the two really strong bids from Bradford Park Avenue and Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe were testament to that.”
However, he said it was “too early to say” if the club would remain in the top-flight next season.
Asked what it would take to enable the side to stay in Super League, Mr Solly replied: “Once the transfer of the ownership is complete, the hard work of retaining the club’s Super League status will begin in earnest.
“The new owners are going to have to put the hard yards in.”
It is understood the majority of rival Super League clubs – including the big four of Wigan, Warrington, St Helens and Leeds – want to see Bulls remain in the top-flight, but it is unclear what price that would come at.
Now Bulls’ new owners are in position, a mini round of licensing is expected to take place within the next ten days where the RFL will consider bids from the leading Championship clubs and Bradford as to who is best suited to being the 14th Super League club.
Much of whether the Bulls’ application is successful will depend on the new owners’ ability take the club forward and counter suggestions that entering administration has given it a competitive advantage.
To offset that, Bulls could forego some of their central distribution, such as television monies, sponsorship funds and revenue from the play-off matches and Grand Finals, over the next two years.
Supporters’ trust Bullbuilder, which has played a vital role in raising cash during the Quest for Survival campaign and has since raised around £20,000 for a staff Hardship Fund, welcomed the long-awaited change of ownership and said it hoped it could work closely with Mr Khan and Mr Sutcliffe.
Spokesman Michael Farren said: “Safeguarding the future of Bradford Bulls was paramount and hopefully the new owners can now take the club forward to ensure we remain in Super League.”
Bulls’ coach Mick Potter, who has been working on a voluntary basis since being made redundant by administrator Brendan Guilfoyle, greeted news of a change of ownership with cautious optimism and said the new era could yet open the door for him to be reinstated as a paid coach.
The Australian has been linked to the vacant New Zealand Warriors’ job, but Mr Sutcliffe stated earlier this week that he hoped Mr Potter would stay at Odsal .
“It looks positive and I would certainly talk to the proposed new owners to see what their plans were for the club before I worry about myself,” he said.
“Their credentials are good as far as business is concerned and understanding politics.
“At the moment, I’m in the dark to a degree as to what’s going to happen and what job roles are going to be allocated to whom in any new set-up.
“Let’s take one step at a time and see what happens.”
Jont administrator Brendan Guilfoyle said: “This is a great achievement for Bradford Bulls, the players, fans and the city of Bradford.
“My main duty as administrator is to get the best return for creditors - and this was the best deal on the table. Omar Khan has also passed the Rugby Football League’s test as being a ‘fit and proper person’ to run a rugby club as well as being a passionate fan of the Bulls.
“I am really pleased that we were able to retain the playing squad without selling off young stars - which in the end was a crucial decision to achieve the sale.
“There are many people to thank in making this deal possible, not least employees, coaches and the interim chief executive who have all been working without pay. But I’m sure they would join me in saying the fans’ support has been outstanding and they have played a major part in this rescue. And through all this the players have won an extraordinary string of matches." | http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9905656.EXCLUSIVE__New_owner_of_Bradford_Bulls_tells_of_his_plans_for_club/ | 1,518 |
Tigers relief pitcher Al Alburquerque kisses the ball before throwing out Athletics' Yoenis Cespedes. / Robin Buckson, AP
DETROIT -- It was the kiss seen 'round the baseball world Sunday, leaving the Oakland Athletics fuming, the Detroit Tigers apologizing, and an Athletics' star vowing revenge.
"We're not finished yet,'' Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes said. "When I get back to Oakland, I am going to hit the ball hard against him.
"And I am going to kiss my bat.''
The Athletics, with their quiet clubhouse pierced by the sound of closer Grant Balfour cursing and kicking a chair, lost 5-4 to the Tigers, and now trail 2 games to 0 in the best-of-five American League Division Series. The next three games, if necessary, are scheduled in Oakland.
"This isn't going as we planned it,'' Athletics reliever Sean Doolittle said. "It's frustrating. But we've come back all year, there's no reason we can't do it again.''
If nothing else, the A's head back to Oakland with a Bay Area-sized chip on their shoulder.
They still don't understand how they can have the best record, get home-field advantage, but somehow could wind up playing one less game at home than the Tigers. They can't believe they got stuck with the noon ET time-slot, with players getting 7:30 a.m. wakeup calls, which translates to 4:30 a.m. for their California body clocks.
"It's tough to call that home-field advantage,'' Athletics outfielder Jonny Gomes said. "But lucky we're so young, and don't know any different. Go with that.''
They can't believe that defensive whiz Coco Crisp, while racing in and trying to make a basket catch on Miguel Cabrera's fly ball to center, actually dropped it. The ball caromed off the heel of his glove, bounced into the air, in and out of Crisp's glove, and then just off his fingertips while trying to snare it one last time. The error resulted in two runs, continuing the strange circumstances in the manner the Tigers have scored this series. They have managed to score only one run on an actual hit.
"I don't know if I ever dropped one like that,'' Crisp said, "at least not to my recollection. I had a good read on it. I was playing deep. It was one of those judgment calls, trying to catch it like that, or try to slide into it.
"I felt like I should have made the catch, obviously.''
And, yes, there was that kiss, courtesy of Athletics reliever Al Alburquerque. Cespedes stepped to the plate in the ninth inning with runners on first and third and two outs. Alburquerque jammed him on a comebacker to the mound. He snared the one hopper. Looked at the baseball. Took it out of his glove. And actually kissed it. He then flipped the ball to Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder.
"I've seen it before,'' Tigers catcher Alex Avila said in amusement, "but not with a guy running to first base.
"Nothing surprises me with Al. He's like in his own world sometimes. You're going to see some crazy things on the mound when he's out there.''
The Athletics, with 12 rookies on their postseason roster, love crazy celebrations as much as anyone. They already agitated former teammate Eric Chavez last month playing against the New York Yankees with their exuberant cheering. But, sorry, the A's weren't buying this.
"I didn't appreciate it,'' said Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick, who hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning. "It got under my skin. I thought that was immature. It was not very professional. I'll just leave it at that.''
Alburquerque declined to talk about the incident after the game, but the Tigers were talking for him. And, believe it, they said, they will have a nice little conversation with Alburquerque on the team flight to California.
"You cannot do that, that's just not right,'' Tigers MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera told USA TODAY Sports. "This game is about respect. We know he's excited, but you have to respect the game.
"I will talk to him, and tell him that you cannot do that.''
The Athletics, Gomes says, likely won't say anything more about it, but believes there will be repercussions.
"He must not believe in the baseball gods,'' Gomes told USA TODAY Sports, "because baseball gods take care of those things.''
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com
Read the original story: Athletics, in 2-0 hole, not ready to kiss off season | http://www.thetimesherald.com/usatoday/article/1618863&usatref=sportsmod?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Cfeaturedphoto%7CSports%7Cp | 1,008 |
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The Cardinal faded down the stretch, but hanging with a top-10 team in one of college basketball's toughest environments is a good sign.
Dwight Powell scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half, but Stanford couldn't stop Arizona and it seniors in the second half of a 73-66 loss Wednesday night on the 40th anniversary of the first game at the McKale Center.
"It shows they can compete at this level," Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said. "This is a tough environment. It was a great effort, but it's not about the moral victories for us. It's about what we have to do to win.
Stanford (14-9, 5-5) dominated Arizona early to put a damper on Arizona's celebration. Even as the Wildcats rallied and the McKale Center came to life, the Cardinal stayed close behind Dwight Powell, who scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half.
Stanford faded down the stretch, though, unable to stop Lyons and Hill or handle Arizona's defensive pressure in the game's final 3 minutes.
Powell grabbed 10 rebounds, but had five turnovers, and Aaron Bright added 16 points for the Cardinal, who finished 7 of 19 from 3-point range.
"Even though tonight was a loss, we came out and showed we can hang with anyone in the country," said Stanford's Josh Huestis, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds. "We let things down in the last couple of minutes and that's
Playing in front of color-coordinated crowd at the McKale Center, Arizona (20-2, 8-2 Pac-12) came out flat, spoiling the festive atmosphere inside its 40-year-old arena.
The Wildcats needed most of the first half to catch the Cardinal and traded a flurry of made baskets in a back-and-forth second half before seniors Mark Lyons and Solomon Hill took over.
Lyons has turned his lone season in the desert into a get-it-done showcase, making big plays down the stretch of close games all year. He did it again against the Cardinal, hitting jumpers, scoring on hard drives and setting up his teammates for easy baskets inside.
Hill has the same kind of mentality in close games in his final season in Tucson, becoming more aggressive when team needs it. He also ramped up with the game on the line, shaking off a 1-for-6 first half by hitting some big shots, including a thunderous dunk on a drive down the lane that brought the fans to their feet and put the Wildcats firmly in control.
Lyons finished with a season-high 25 points and Hill scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half.
Behind its two seniors and with a lift from Angelo Chol—he had eight rebounds and six points with Grant Jerrett out—Arizona made 15 of 25 shots in the second half.
"Their seniors really stepped up," Dawkins said. "Lyons and Hill made a big difference in the end there."
The McKale Center became one of college basketball's most difficult places to visit during its 40 years of existence, the rowdy fans and strong Arizona teams often overwhelming opponents.
The arena named after former athletic director J.K. "Pop" McKale has been home to some of the game's best players, from Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr to Jason Gardner and Derrick Williams, along with a Hall of Fame coach in Lute Olson.
The Wildcats won 67 of their first 70 games after McKale Center opened and kept going, posting a winning percentage of .832, including 10 undefeated home seasons.
Stanford, like so many other teams, hasn't had much luck in the building, losing 28 of 36 games.
The Cardinal scored the game's first 10 points and kept Arizona close after the Wildcats rallied.
They just didn't have an answer for Lyons down the stretch.
Despite an elbow to the throat that had him coughing in pain on the bench, Lyons followed a missed jumper by Powell to set up Chol for a layup with a dish inside, then scored on backdoor cut to cap a 9-0 run that put the Wildcats up 58-54.
After Bright hit a 3-pointer, Lyons followed with one of his own and found Kevin Parrom in the corner for another that stretched the lead to 65-59 with 1:39 left.
"Mark not only scored tonight, he made his teammates better," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "His six assists were much closer to eight or nine. He ran the team and led the team, and really let the game come to him." | http://www.times-standard.com/nationandworldsports/ci_22537510/stanford-loses-73-66-no-7-arizona | 948 |
Staff photo by Jake Daniels/Chattanooga Times Free Press Chattanooga Lookouts trainer Nancy Patterson, center, stands with other members of the team while the national anthem is played.
It's a late May night at AT&T Field, and Chattanooga Lookouts players are filing on the team bus, where they will spend the next seven hours on a trip to Mobile.
Along for the ride, and every ride this season, is head trainer Nancy Patterson with her duffle bag and favorite pillow.
"I've known since I was pretty little that I wanted to do something with athletes," Patterson said. "I used to watch the Yankees all the time growing up with my dad, and when somebody got hurt and the Yankees trainers ran out, I always remember thinking it would be awesome to do that."
Patterson's family of Yankees fans has no problem with her working in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and she has no problem being a female in a male-dominated environment. Though she knows of just two other female head trainers throughout baseball's minor leagues, Patterson no longer considers herself a girl in a guy's world.
"I do my best to kind of let them do their own thing," she said. "They are very respectful, especially in visiting clubhouses, which aren't always the most conducive to a female."
Patterson was hired by the Dodgers before last season and worked at Inland Empire in the high Single-A California League. She was promoted this past winter to the Double-A Lookouts.
She worked three years of internships before joining the Dodgers -- two years of rookie ball with the Seattle Mariners and one with the Boston Red Sox.
"I was with her all of last year until I got called up," Lookouts starting pitcher Chris Withrow said. "She's awesome. She really cares about the players and will give you all the time you need to make sure that you're healthy and on the field. At the same time, she's so professional.
"It could be awkward in a lot of situations to where people could look at it as, 'Oh my goodness, there's a female in the locker room,' but she's one of the most professional trainers I've ever been around."
A resident of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Patterson attended Ithaca College and graduated in 2005 with a major in clinical science exercise. She went back to Ithaca to earn a second major, athletic training, and she got a master's degree there in 2008 in clinical exercise science with a concentration in sports psychology.
The Lookouts clubhouse at AT&T Field begins with a room used for serving meals and snacks followed by a hallway that has coaching offices on the right and the training room on the left. In the back are the lockers for players, and behind the lockers are showers.
Patterson doesn't know if she's been lucky or not, but she has yet to experience a moment that could be considered inappropriate, and the Lookouts want to keep it that way. Chattanooga's training room did not have a door until last year, when Lookouts owner Frank Burke had one installed at the request of Dodgers officials.
"I know the guys understand the situation," hitting coach John Valentin said. "Obviously we respect her in great manner. She understands the shower process, and she closes her door until that process is over. That's pretty much the only thing from an etiquette standpoint that you really have to worry about."
Said manager Carlos Subero: "If I'm going to get here, I'm going to shut my door and have that respect for her. It's been very smooth. You really don't even notice it."
Players come up front for postgame meals still wearing their uniforms or after showering and getting dressed, so in and around the shower area is the only place where guys walk around unclothed.
"I don't think we'd do that if we had a guy trainer anyway," outfielder Scott Van Slyke said.
Clubhouses and bus trips have been known to include colorful language, and Subero makes sure the movies on the trips are appropriate. Patterson admits she's pretty much immune to all of that.
"I'm in their world, so I'm not trying to alter the way they like to do things," she said. "I'm here to do my job. They don't need to change anything for me is how I kind of see it. Plus, I have no problem sleeping on the bus."
LIVING FOR NOW
When the Lookouts were in Mobile, shortstop and leadoff hitter Dee Gordon fouled a ball off his foot. Gordon left the game immediately and went to work with Patterson to reduce the swelling with ice and compression.
"We just hammered it those first 12 hours, so I could be ready to play as soon as possible," said Gordon, who wound up missing just one day.
Aiding a player such as Gordon, who is rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Dodgers organization, could be accompanied by significant pressure to perform.
Patterson doesn't see it that way. In her view, there are no player rankings.
"All these guys want to be out there," she said, "so I'm just doing everything I can to make sure they can get out there as fast as they can."
And while all Lookouts players want to make it to the major leagues, Patterson isn't so sure she does. She has a boyfriend who is an athletic trainer back home in New York, and she has managed to make the long-distance relationship work from the high Single-A and Double-A ranks.
"All of these guys have goals to get in the big leagues, and I love trying to do whatever I can to keep them out on the field," she said. "I like this lifestyle. I like the bus trips. I love what I'm doing, and I really enjoy the minor leagues. I love the craziness of it and the business of it.
"I'm going to take it year by year and see what happens." | http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/jun/16/female-trainer-no-issue/?blogslookouts | 1,253 |
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PHILADELPHIA — Matthew Wright led five players in double figures with 22 points to help St. Bonaventure beat Temple 81-78 Saturday and get its first road win over the Owls in 31 tries.
Eric Mosley and Demitrius Conger added 15 points, Youssou Ndoye 12 and Chris Johnson 10 for St. Bonaventure, which snapped a six-game losing streak.
St. Bonaventure (8-9, 1-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) led 69-63 with 3:49 left to play following back-to-back layups from Conger and Wright before Temple’s Khalif Wyatt hit a 3-pointer, then two free throws, to make it 69-68 at the 2:56 mark.
However, Conger and Johnson answered with consecutive 3-pointers and Ndoye converted two free throws to put the Bonnies up for good, 77-68.
St. Bonaventure made 11 of 18 3-pointers, compared to 12 of 34 for Temple (12-5, 2-2), and dished out 21 assists.
Wyatt led Temple with 31 points but fouled out with 2:28 remaining. | http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130119/SPORTS02/130119492/college-basketball-st-bonaventure-edges-temple-snaps-skid | 262 |
Bolt apologises over 'joint' comments
Jamaican Olympic sprint hero Usain Bolt apologized over his comments on youthful marijuana use as reported in a German newspaper.
"I want to apologise to the Jamaican people if at any time it may have come across that all young people 'roll a joint'," Bolt said in a statement.
"I would also like to urge the upcoming stars to stay away from any kind of drugs, as it is not of any value to them or the sport you participate in."
Bolt, who stormed to three sprint golds in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was quoted by Bild as saying "When you're a child in Jamaica, you learn how to roll a joint."
The statement noted that Bolt, "although although admitting to 'trying' marijuana as a child, has never used it as a competitor."
The Bild story sparked a storm of criticism in Jamaica, and Bolt called the situation "unfortunate." | http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090415/athletics/bolt-apologises-over-joint-comments.252918 | 201 |
I thought this list was going to be topical, but there's nothing about Carl Lewis and his failed drugs test. Seems to me it would be a story that would get a lot of play in the USA.
I'd also like to know if the supplement Lewis says he was taking did contain those three stimulants. What was it Goldfinger said to James Bond?
"One stimulant is happenstance, two stimulants is coincidence... but three stimulants..."
Can't remember the last bit.
15 years old or 5 years old, teh "allegations" are beginning to come to light as reality ... And that should be big news ... More and more the drug issue keeps comign to the fore in this sport and it needs to be dealth with ... It is a sore spot for the sport and as names such as Lewis' become linked to the issue so goes the sports credibility ...
The powers that be should be huddled as we speak with the goal of trying to define a policy that is going to work ... OR abandon the attenmpt altogether ...
As for the Lewis issue, it is a big deal on several fronts as the dominoe effect on the history of the sport is immense ... His place in the sport ... The place of those such as Calvin Smith (quite possibly the only clean finalist in 88) ... Edwin MOses place in history ...
And I won't even get started on what this does to the credibility of the UNited States and its track and field program ... Especially on the heels of the past year or more's allegations of coverups via USATF !!!!
To put heads in teh sand on this one is merely to prolong the agony ...
Randall old buddy old pal... welcome to GH's shit list! You and Wilmar Kortleever are the charter members. Interesting that you're both European sportswriters.
While I appreciate (and applaud) your journalistic bent, another poster just up the board there probably got it right when he said perhaps people would rather talk about actual track & field; to talk about GOOD things in the sport (you remember those, right?).
Wilmar felt quite aggrieved yesterday at "name calling" after his drug post; wondered when the list moderators would take action. Sorry for the inaction--I'm still trying to figure out what kind of medal to pin on the name caller, actually.
And for a moment there yesterday when somebody suggested the 11th Commandment of the board should be no-drugs, I considered it.
I'm very much of the mind that incessant drug talk is what turned Darkwing's t-and-f list from a thing of glory into the low-traffic site it has become today. I don't want that to happen here. So my personal choice is not to contribute to this line of thought
But, it is real news, to be sure. And if people want to talk about it fine (and it certainly will be covered in the next issue of T&FN), I'll not censor it. Just don't expect me to participate.
At a time when I can't pick up a newspaper or turn on the telly without being bombarbed by the unremittingly bleak, allow me to stick my head in the sand--if that's how one wants to view it --and come to this board to revel in the beauty of the sport. I'll leave the warts to others.
A. No profanity, please. If you can't get your point across without resorting to 12-year old scatolological references (gh is an exception, cuz his are actually kinda funny) then get into virtually every other board on the net, which thinks mf is the only adjective in existence.
B. Drug talk is pointless. Until we institute blood tests, assume everyone is dirty and there's your level playing field. You can pop positive for talking cold medicine, for crissakes.
I thought this list was going to be
>but there's nothing about Carl Lewis and
>failed drugs test.<
Maybe that's because the
>people on this Message Board think that the topic
>is track and field, not fifteen-year old doping
and yet, fifteen-year old doping allegations - rather, recent confirmation of those allegations - indicate the systemic hypocrisy coming out of the governing bodies. improvement cannot come about if the problems are not brought to light. if they are going to bother devoting any of their budget to doping controls, then give them teeth. smoke-screens are not a useful expenditure of funds, and there are indeed legitimate reasons to maintain genuine doping controls.
1. for the health of the athletes.
2. for the integrity, image, and accountability of the sport and its sanctioning bodies.
3. (most importantly) to send the right message to the youth.
While I appreciate (and
>applaud) your journalistic bent, another poster
>just up the board there probably got it right
>when he said perhaps people would rather talk
>about actual track & field; to talk about GOOD
>things in the sport (you remember those,
I agree with you Garry. We ought to remember the GOOD things. One of the good things I remember was Carl Lewis looking at Ben Johnson when talking to Jim Rosenthal of ITV about drugs at the 1987 Rome World Championships. He as good as said Johnson was on drugs and we all applauded him for coming out on the side of the right and the good.
Yet when he got caught the next year we didn't hear about it for 15 years! Us sportswriters in Europe have long had suspicions of the USA's attitude to drugs in track and field, while trying to name and shame other nations. We knew about stuff about USA athletes we couldn't (just as we knew stuff about East German and Soviet athletes,although we did voice our suspicions in this case because they weren't as likely to sue), and still can't, print because of the arcane libel laws on this side of the pond. And I think it's self defeating to pretend they aren't important.
I also agree with you about darkwing... but there people were accusing people of taking drugs without proof and without much sense.
Any way it's not so much that Lewis got caught (although that's significant enough) it's that the IOC let him off and covered it up.
Yeah, the Carl thing is news, but it's OLD news that has no relevance to today's testing system in the U.S. and internationally. The stimulants found in Lewis's sample were and are banned, but do you really think they gave him an advantage 2 months later in Seoul? He would have won at the Trials with or without them in his system, if you ask me. Those substances are not steroids. There is a difference, and people need to recognize that, particularly since the net now is tighter and the athletes know it.
>Yeah, the Carl thing is news, but it's OLD news
>that has no relevance to today's testing system
>in the U.S. and internationally. The stimulants
>found in Lewis's sample were and are banned, but
>do you really think they gave him an advantage 2
>months later in Seoul? He would have won at the
>Trials with or without them in his system, if you
>ask me. Those substances are not steroids. There
>is a difference, and people need to recognize
>that, particularly since the net now is tighter
>and the athletes know it.
"Those substances are not steroids"...but those substances can be used to MASK steroid use, and therein lies the BIG story.
Question. I've only skimmed the reports and have not read the SI article. How effective are/were these over the counter medicatons at masking steroids?
If there are any biochemists out there, how does this work?
"Under the current rules, the levels the two athletes recorded are so minimal they would not even qualify to be reported as a doping offense under what the IOC calls its "strict liability" system — meaning that if it's in your body, you're liable. Those rules rely on threshold levels, with different thresholds for different chemical substances; the levels at issue for Lewis and DeLoach are well below the thresholds."
With regard to this masking agents, ephedrine, psyeudoephedrine, and the other are classified as STIMULANTS not masking agents. These CHEMICALS are considered enhancers illiegal by that which USOC states yet turns a blind eye to. Carl Lewis is a well educated man then as well now and he stated that he INADVERTANTLY took these medications. Isn't it interesting that his training partner and another athlete happened to have colds prior to the Olympic trials? Coinicidence? I think not. The takiing of these drugs had no means of prepping for the Olympic games but rather what was more immediate the Olympic trials. Based on Exum statements and the testing results Lewis should not have qualified for the 88 team and thus not make the 100 finals at Seoul. The testing was effective the enforcement wasn't there,casting another blow to the inept USOC.
-- Carl reportedly tended to embrace the "health food" lifestyle at some points in his career, using herbal supplements. It's entirely possible that inadvertent use of a stimulant was the result. If it was cold medicine, then it must not have been more than a normal dose based on the low levels in his system.
-- More important question? How on earth did Wade Exum walk away from his USOC job with all those files, or copies thereof? At the very least, this was unethical on his part and it backs up why they canned him. How many of you in "sensitive" positions (if there are any of you) can just waltz out the door with thousands of pages of supposedly confidential documents?
"-- More important question? How on
>earth did Wade Exum walk away from his USOC job
>with all those files, or copies thereof? At the
>very least, this was unethical on his part and it
>backs up why they canned him. How many of you in
>"sensitive" positions (if there are any of you)
>can just waltz out the door with thousands of
>pages of supposedly confidential documents?"
Deny. Appeal. Rationalize. If none of that works, then shoot the messenger. That's hilarious.
Originally "messenger" posted an entire Irish Times article titled, "We owe Lewis and athletics a full investigation." This is not fair use under copyright law and we've removed it. Irish Times requires a subscription of view articles online at http://www.irishtimes.com.
Trackrat - Sorry for the long post, but you asked a complex question.
Masking agents work by having absorption spectra in the same wavelength as the doping agent. Because the spectra overlap, the output from the spectrophotometer is the sum of the doping agent and the masking agent. Simplistically, if the doping agent spectrum is red - green - blue, and there is a masking agent with a spectrum of yellow - green - blue, then it is difficult to be certain what is in the sample.
Then there is the issue of titer, or the AMOUNT of agent in the sample. Not all regulated / banned substances are banned at any (i.e., trace) amounts. For instance, caffeine is not illegal; caffeine in high titer is illegal. So if a runner has a cup of Starbucks, caffeine will be present in the sample, but one cup won't go over the limit.
The reason for this is that stimulants occur in a wide range of things (like coffee), and that synthetic stimulants are not ergogenic in low titers (in doctor's parlance, subtherapeutic doses). If a runner has a cold, and wants relief of symptoms the day before a competition (or to get a good night's sleep before an event), it is not unreasonable to let them do that. YOU can do that, why can't an athlete, as long as the amount of stimulant in their system is at a sub-therapeutic level at the time of competition?
The LA Times article is basically saying that Carl had very low levels, trace levels, that could not have been ergogenic at the time of his competition. That FACT, combined with Carl's statement that it was an inadvertent, unwitting, error on his part (i.e., not an act of intent to cheat), is why he was let off the hook. According to the data presented in the article, Carl tested QUALITATIVELY positive, but not QUANTITATIVELY positive at a level sufficient to suggest he was cheating. If the LA Times facts are correct, my interpretation is that he was clean and not a cheater, and by the rules in effect he was therefore appropriately allowed to go to Seoul.
If the USOC made a mistake here, it would seem to me that the mistake is in assuming that the public isn't smart enough to comprehend all of this. Or at least it would appear that they did, since they chose not to say:
Carl Lewis had trace amounts of cold medications in his sample, but the amounts were not sufficient to boost his performance. He said that he took an herbal supplement that, he presumes, was the source of these medications. Therefore, there is no reason to disqualify Mr. Lewis, since he didn't have an amount sufficient to cheat and we have no reason to believe he was trying to cheat. He is on the team bound for Seoul.
While I am sorry for not coming up with as thoughtful, informative and interesting a post as you did(and I mean that), IMHO, while I certainly agree that someone should get to the bottom of how
he managed to get a hold of all those documents, I just don't happen to agree that is a more
important issue than all of those raised by the papers. I just didn't express that as politely as I should have and for that I apologize. If gh agrees with you that since this and the previous post does not advance the discussion according to whatever guidelines he is enforcing than he can delete away.
Just as importan as HOW Exum got away with all the paper is WHY he has released. Let's not forget that he was embroiled in a nasty lawsuit w/ the USOC. No wait, make that was POTENTIALLY involved in such a suit.
The courts, however, decided his suit had no merit and threw it out. His reaction: try to sink the USOC ship in revenge.
I'm by no means suggesting that the USOC hasn't been complicit in some nasty shit, but if Exum didn't have the goods even to get his day in court, let's not have a rush to judgment that the material he has provided is being viewed in the proper light.
By the way-----Carl was, and remains, a total weenie. He's not worth defending, but the shame this is bringing on the sport needs to be fought if and when there is justification for doing so.
The Wade Exum thing and USOC's imperfections are separate issues from whether or not Carl Lewis was doping.
There is another matter that I neglected to bring up that probably gives the USOC some defense for not disclosing this matter at the time, and that is medical confidentiality.
If, in the end, the USOC goes through a process like I outlined, and comes to the conclusion that the positive test is a non-issue (vis-a-vis eligibility), then for the sake of confidentiality of medical issues one might choose to not disclose the information. One is, after all, disclosing medical information that US laws regard as private.
Respecting those laws is important because it is a slippery slope once one discloses medical information - what OTHER information could be disclosed that might have no bearing on doping? To some degree, people in the public eye are forced to give up those rights to privacy (e.g., politicians running for office giving up information about their health as an issue in an election). High-profile athletes are forced into this situation when they undergo public doping-control tests and other disclosures of their health problems.
I think one can readily invoke this line of ethics as a defence for the course chosen by the USOC. In retrospect, after adding in an unpredictable event like the Wade Exum thing, it looks like might have been more prudent to make a statement like I outlined in my prior post. But in so doing, one must acknowledge that one is stepping close to the edge of a slippery slope where we disclose private information that could be of a more personal nature (i.e., something unrelated to sports and none-of-your-business).
>The Wade Exum thing and USOC's imperfections are
>separate issues from whether or not Carl Lewis
>was doping. >>
Well, sort of. The point I was trying to make is that it seems--if yesterday's LA Times article is to be believed--that Carl wasn't doping. And that the "evidence" that he was came from somebody with an axe to grind, and who may well have misrepresented what the documents said in the first place. Or maybe he didn't understand waht the documents said and that's why the USOC no longer employs him in the firs tplace. | http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=635 | 3,643 |
EDMONTON - Canada's anticipated showdown with the United States at the world junior hockey championship has taken on a different flavour.
The Canadians secured a semifinal berth without having to play a game Friday.
A 5-2 loss by the U.S. to the Czech Republic meant no country could catch Canada (3-0) at the top of Pool B. The host country had already beaten Finland, the Czechs and Denmark in the preliminary round.
Canada faces the Americans (1-2) to conclude the preliminary round Saturday knowing they've already made the final four.
The U.S. came into the tournament considered one of Canada's chief rivals for gold. The Americans boasted eight players drafted in the first round by NHL clubs, as well as seven players returning from the team that won the bronze medal in the previous world junior championship.
Saturday's game was expected to determine first in the pool.
The New Year's Eve battle has lost some of its hype, although Rexall Place may be feel free to party knowing their team will play for a medal next week.
"It's going to be something special," Canadian forward Brendan Gallagher predicted. "Obviously so far the crowd has been unbelievable.
"We've been able to get them involved every single game and we need to continue because they're going to be a huge part of us winning this tournament."
One of the keys for Canada on Saturday will be to stay healthy for the medal round. The team lost NHL winger Devante Smith-Pelly for the tournament after he broke his foot in the tournament-opener.
Forward Michael Bournival did not practise Friday after sitting out the previous night's game with the flu. Canadian head coach Don Hay said the Shawinigan Cataractes forward did a light off-ice workout while his teammates skated.
"We're hoping like heck he's going to be ready to play tomorrow," Hay said.
Defenceman Nathan Beaulieu practised at forward after playing that position in Thursday's 10-2 win over Denmark.
Canada is likely to face a surly U.S. team. The Americans ran into red hot Czech goaltender Petr Mrazek who stopped 52 shots in his country's win.
Rexall Place spectators have painted the U.S. as the tournament villain, booing them and cheering wildly for any country playing them. If the Americans let that get under their skin, Saturday's game has the potential to get chippy.
"We want to go in and look after ourselves, take care of business and we know the U.S. is a good hockey team," Hay said. "It will be a great environment in here. It will be very intense and the energy and enthusiasm in the building is going to be outstanding."
Hay did not reveal whether Mark Visentin or Scott Wedgewood would start in net versus the U.S. The coach's practice is to inform his starting goaltender at a team meeting at night and make the news public the following morning.
Saturday's game will be Canada's last before their semifinal next Tuesday in Calgary. They'll face the winner of the quarter-final between the second-place team in Pool A and the team that finishes third in Pool B.
The Canada-U.S. ticket has been a hot one on-line. Two centre-ice seats behind the players' benches were listed at over $3,800 on Hockey Canada's ticket exchange website Friday. On eBay, two in the next section, but closer to the ice, were up over $2,100.
The Canadian players spoke to reporters at the start of the U.S.-Czech game and did not know what the stakes would be for Saturday's game at that point. Canadian captain Jaden Schwartz expected it to be a heated matchup regardless.
"Canada wants to beat the U.S. and the U.S. wants to beat Canada. It's going to be like that no matter what it means," Schwartz insisted.
"The atmosphere is going to be great and the two teams always want to beat each other. I'm sure that's going to be the same, no matter what the situation is."
Finland (1-1) faced Denmark (0-3) in Pool B's later game Friday. A Finland win in regulation meant the U.S. was headed to the relegation round of the tournament.
The American players were frustrated after the Czech game and were directing that emotion into their comments about playing Canada.
"U.S.A.-Canada is the biggest rivalry in this tournament," forward Bill Arnold said. "As much as it stings, we have to bounce back and give it everything we've got to beat Canada because no one wants to lose to them."
Added a livid American captain Jason Zucker: "We're going to beat them. That's what we're going to do. We're going to try our best. We're going out there and not change anything we do. We're going to play." | http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=383829 | 1,034 |
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves is scheduled to have surgery on his broken jaw Monday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
Eaves was taken off the ice on a stretcher late in Saturday night's game against Nashville after he was struck near the right ear by Roman Josi's slap shot.
He was conscious and lifted himself onto the cart before leaving Joe Louis Arena.
Eaves was taken to Detroit Medical Center after the game and was still there Sunday afternoon. He has one point in 10 games this season for the Red Wings. | http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381422 | 118 |
Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Any other Friday of the 2012 NFL season would be utilized to further speculate on the chances of your favorite team’s odds of winning their upcoming matchup. For Rams fans, however, Week 9 seems as good as any to take a step back, catch your breath, fix some drywall, and focus on fantasy football.
No matter where you find yourself in the standings of your Fantasy league heading into Week 9, do not panic. For those of you who have amassed a whopping two wins, THIS is the week in which you rebound and begin to mow down your fantasy opponents. In most leagues, at least here at TST [Yahoo!], the playoffs don’t start until Week 15. That’s six weeks to right the ship. With the information that you’re about to be awarded, a win is a near guarantee. Consider yourself back in the chase for the FF playoffs. You’re welcome!
Obviously, I can’t highlight every player in the NFL and their potential for success/failure in Week 9. What I can, and will, do is provide you with some folks that you’ll definitely want to put in your starting lineup, and some that you might want riding the good ol' fantasy pine. I will also be willing to field any questions in regards to your players, and the roster conundrums that you might be facing heading into Sunday. Let’s face it, you’re not getting this information from just another FF schmuck. I’m 7-1 right now, and have a firm grasp on the TST League 10 top spot [no input needed, RVB].
Fantasy Advice Numero Uno - It’s actually a four part piece of advice. Do not get your team wet, do not feed it after midnight, and do not expose it to sunlight. Most importantly, do not subject it to the advice of DouglasM
Fantasy Advice Numero Two - Intimidate your opponent. They see that you’re wounded. They sense weakness. They notice that it’s Friday afternoon and you’ve still got Daryl Richardson as a starter, and that you didn’t hit the waiver wires. Ish is about to change! You can do one of two things in this scenario:
1) You find the poll for this weeks matchup, and vote for yourself. They don’t know who voted, but to them they’re no longer the favorite. If they want to even the score by voting for themselves, you send a direct message to a buddy in your league and pay them [if necessary] to vote for you as well.
…can’t find a friend who’ll help you out?
2) Talk trash. Every league has a message board that allows you to "send a message." Your initial message should be about their mother and her "part time job." After that you go for the genitalia and STD zings
Fantasy Advice Letter Four - Know your team, and know your gameplan. Still got Legatron on your starting squad on Sunday morning? Good! The wankster that you’re playing thinks he’s already got this thing in the bag. Then boom, Janikowski sucka! Right before the 1pm games, you pull a quick one and throw in a team that’s now projected to bring the pain, Method Man style. Yea, he’s checkin his drawers…
Week 9 Fantasy Studs
Cam Newton, QB CAR (@ WAS) - I know, I know. At this point in the season, you’re thinking ‘sophomore slump.’ Cam had ZERO TD’s and TWO Int’s last week against AT Chicago. Well, that was Chicago…one of, if not the, league’s best defense. The Washington Redskins are quite the opposite. Be encourage that Cam was able to throw for 314 on that Bears D, because the Redskins have the leagues worst pass defense, allowing 325 yards per game. Furthermore, they’ve given up the most passing TD’s with 19 [leads the NFL]. Quarterbacks, in terms of Fantasy value, feast on the Redskins secondary. This is the Week that you’re reminded why you drafted Cam Newton.
Start Cam over QBs like: Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, and Tony Romo
Willis McGahee, RB DEN (@CIN) - Did you know that McGahee is 31 years old? Of course you did. Did you also know that over the last four games that he’s surpassed 100+ total yards [rushing and receiving]? Liars. Well that’s 10 points right there my friends. He’s also scored two TD’s during that span. Have you ever heard that it takes 30 days to form a habit? Well McGahee is forming one to the tune of 13 points per. Whatchu talkin about Willis?!?
Start Willis over RB’s like: Darren McFa…..All AFC West RB’s, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Michael Turner
Denarius Moore, WR OAK (v. TB) - Coming off the bye week , Denarius and QB Carson Palmer have proven that there is a legitimate rapport. Over the last three weeks, he’s accounted for 236 yards [79 yd avg.], but has a scored a TD in each of those games. Thats nearly 14 points per game in standard scoring leagues. For those leagues that may have bonuses for long catches, Denarius has scored TD’s of 49 and 58 yards over the past 3 weeks. All of this has occurred while only snagging 14 catches. That’s 17 ypc. Oh, one more thing… only the Washington Redskins have a worse pass defense than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Start Denarius over WR’s like: Mike Wallace, Jordy Nelson, and…..Larry Fitzgerald
Greg Olsen - TE CAR (@ WAS) - This one links back to Cam and his potential against a porous Washington secondary on Sunday. That’s not all, though. While it’s very possible that Steve Smith has a big day, Olsen looks to be a more-than-viable target. Unless you’ve got Gronk, Graham, or Rodriguez, you need to give Greg a look this week. The Redskins are tied for the NFL lead by allowing TE’s 7 TD’s through the first eight weeks. Six of those eight TE’s have scored. I know math is difficult, so I’ll provide you with a percentage…75% of TE’s that face the Redskins score a TD. I know it’s only half way through the season, but….oh, no that’s probably pretty solid reasoning. Check Greg’s stat lines if you want. You won’t be amazed, but he’s faced some pretty excellent D’s over the past five weeks. Also, unless you’ve got one of the aforementioned three TE studs, you’ve probably been disappointed with yours…
Start Olsen over TE’s like: Kyle Rudolph, Jermaine Gresham, Jared Cook, and Jermichael Finley
My final piece of Fantasy Advice - Kickers and Defenses are replaceable on a weekly basis. In my opinion, it’s completely worthless to draft more than one of either position. You select a defense [not too early], and you select a kicker [in the last round], and you stick with them until your bye week, or until they’ve proven that there’s someone easily accessible on waivers. I guarantee you that you’ve got someone like Jacquizz Rodgers on your bench who was never worth acquiring. Might as well swap him out for another kicker/defense if yours is on bye. It’s virtually impossible to think that you’ll ever find yourself saying "Oh man, did I blow it when I dropped Quizz." Go for projected points if nothing else…
Feel free to drop me a line, or question, in the comments section. Today, I’m highlighting a few players that you should start [and who to start them over] , and tomorrow I’ll highlight the same positions and who you should stay far far away from. As always, [meaning for the past month] I’m available on Twitter if you’re looking for some punctual, premium, personal, prognostications for Week 9. | http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/11/2/3588212/sit-start-fantasy-football | 1,802 |
Weber's Sugar Bowl catch huge in UA-Irish lore
Published: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:32 p.m.
He has gone from the answer to a trivia question to a sort of media cult figure overnight, not that Robin Weber ever snuggled up completely with obscurity.
“I’m not a real small guy,” the former Notre Dame tight end said recently via telephone from his home in Dallas. “So bottom line is, people kind of guess I played football. Then all you have to do is Google ‘Robin Weber Notre Dame football,’ and it’s over with.
“The autograph requests come, and ticket requests — if we’re worth a darn. It’s not hard to make friends these days, with the Internet.”
Weber’s recent spike in popularity derives from a singular moment, a fourth-quarter, 35-yard pass play during the first meeting between historic college football titans Notre Dame and Alabama 39 seasons ago in the Sugar Bowl.
That play was the signature moment in No. 3 Notre Dame’s 24-23 upending of the top-ranked Crimson Tide, vaulting the Fighting Irish past probation-shackled Oklahoma and into the top spot in the final AP poll in 1973.
Monday night in Miami Gardens, Fla., the two iconic programs meet for the seventh time with the top-ranked-but-underdog Fighting Irish (12-0) looking to spoil an Alabama coronation for the third time in history. A ninth-ranked Irish team denied Alabama a split national championship in the Orange Bowl a year after Weber’s heroics in Ara Parseghian’s final game as Notre Dame coach.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Fighting Irish up 24-23, Crimson Tide punter Greg Gantt on fourth-and-20, boomed a punt that settled inside the Fighting Irish 5-yard line.
Notre Dame freshman Ross Browner was flagged for roughing the punter. In those days, the penalty was 15 yards, but there was no automatic first down that came with it — something the TV announcers doing the game didn’t realize.
In fact, in the weeks and months that followed the game, because of their misstatements, Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was barraged with thousands of letters and telegrams criticizing his judgment and questioning his sanity.
In reality, the penalty would have only given Alabama a fourth-and-5 still on the wrong side of the 50. Bryant opted to let his defense try to win the game.
Weber wasn’t on the field for first or second down. The Irish netted a total of 6 yards on those two plays, bringing up third-and-3 from the 8. Into the game came Weber, whose playing time for the run-oriented Irish had increased significantly from midseason on, when Notre Dame started using two-tight end sets with regularity.
Parseghian called for a running play initially, but he also wanted a long count to try to draw Alabama offsides. An Alabama defender did jump, but so did Notre Dame All-America tight end Dave Casper. Notre Dame was penalized, and the Fighting Irish were now facing a third-and-8 from the 3.
“I’m thinking, ‘Now we’re definitely passing,’ ” Weber said. “I kept looking over to the sideline for (split end) Pete Demmerle to come back in the game.”
And for good reason. Weber, a sophomore, had caught only one pass to that point in his collegiate career. But he stayed in and Parseghian called “tackle trap pass left.”
It was a misdirection play designed to look like a sweep. The ball was supposed to go to Casper, according to the late Tom Pagna, an assistant under Parseghian.
Alabama loaded up nine players on the line of scrimmage, anticipating the run. Weber fired off the line and the defensive end barely touched him. The cornerback, who was supposed to be covering Weber man-to-man, tried to avoid Weber when the big tight end dipped his shoulder, faking that he was going to throw a block.
“I ended up just blowing right by him,” Weber said. “That left only the safety, and he was giving me a huge cushion. I’m thinking to myself that maybe I should break my route off for a 7-yard out instead. But I remembered that I’d get in trouble, so I broke it off at 30 yards just like I was supposed to. I kept thinking, ‘I hope they see me, because nobody’s around me.’ ”
Casper was covered, and quarterback Tom Clements spotted Weber. Weber didn’t immediately see the ball coming because a defensive lineman leaped up and almost tipped the pass.
“I’m like, ‘Yeeoww, here it’s comes.’ ” Weber recalled. “I caught it clean over my shoulder. I got about 5 more yards after the catch before the safety came over and cut me, knocking me about 7 yards into the Alabama bench, right in front of Bear Bryant.
“I was laying on my back thinking, ‘Am I going to be cleated?’ I come out of the crowd and looked for the flag. No flag. Checkmate. Game over.”
The completion gave the Fighting Irish a fresh set of downs, allowing them to run out the clock. Weber spent the rest of the game on the sidelines, then quickly left the stadium.
Weber grew up in Dallas figuring he’d end up in college anywhere but Notre Dame, even though he went to Jesuit schools.
“I thought Texas, Southern Cal, Alabama, Oklahoma — but I had no intention to go to Notre Dame. I knew what February up there was like. But when I sat down with Ara, outside his office after the tour and getting a taste of the campus, I accepted on the spot, because I knew he was the guy who was going to deliver.
“Notre Dame came down and played Texas (at the end of the 1969 and ‘70 seasons following the end of the school’s self-imposed 45-year bowl ban). And they gave Texas a run for their money. I was kind of fascinated by him and the school and started doing my research and started finding out about the history.
“Now I’m part of it.”
Can this year’s Fighting Irish dash Alabama hopes again?
“I love this Notre Dame team,” Weber said. “They’ve got a chip on their shoulder. They’ve got something to prove. The way you prove that is you go out there and you go undefeated and win a national championship. That’s what every one of those guys came to Notre Dame for, in addition to the education, which is exactly why I went to ND.”
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130101/NEWS/121239970/0/APF | 1,558 |
CCTV to Deploy Snell & Wilcox Kahuna for HD Production of 2008 Olympics
China Central Television
has purchased two Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD
multiformat production switchers to support live HD coverage of sports events including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
CCTV is the principal broadcaster for the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, for which the company is integrating the Kahuna SD/HD multiformat switcher into its first Olympic A-level outside broadcast van in China.
Kahuna offers simultaneous SD and HD operations in the same mainframe with the same control panel, so the Beijing-based broadcaster can offer its audiences HD content while continuing to use its existing SD equipment. During CCTV's live sports broadcasts, the Kahuna allows operators to mix existing SD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots, and archive footage directly into an HD production. The Kahuna also offers keying power and the IMPAKT DVE option, which combines eight channels of 3D DVE with straightforward operational logic and premade effects without the need for an outboard DVE unit.
Xue Jun Hong, director of the CCTV transmission center said, "It provides the outstanding performance we require along with the benefit of low delay through the system, small size, low weight, and low power use--all of which are critical in mobile production applications. These features, and our positive experience with Kahuna during the World Cup, made Kahuna the ideal choice for the OB trucks we are building for the 2008 Summer Games." | http://www.tvtechnology.com/deployments/0108/cctv-to-deploy-snell--wilcox-kahuna-for-hd-production-of--olympics/185191 | 311 |
March 30, 2004
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -
After suffering their first conference loss of the season Monday in San Diego, the UC Davis women's tennis team got back on the winning track with a 9-0 victory over Cal State San Bernardino in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match Tuesday afternoon at the Coyote courts.
With the win the Aggies improve to 8-5 on the season, 6-1 in CCAA play. CSUSB falls to 6-7 overall, 0-7 in conference action.
UC Davis swept the opening three doubles matches as Jennifer Fong and Christy Battig at No.2 and Amanda Wise and Ashley Lehman at No.3 posted identical 8-1 victories. At No.1, Ally Muller and Nancy Mok captured an 8-4 win over Alicia Brown and Jennifer Newman.
In singles play the Aggies captured all six matches in straight sets. Muller posted a 6-1, 6-4 win over Brown at No.1 while Mok had little trouble with Jennifer Newman at No.2, winning 6-1, 6-1. No.4 Yuka Otaka also earned a 6-1, 6-1 win, defeating Sarah Majors while Audrey Wingo cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Mallory Bailey at No.5. Luna Tieu won her second straight match with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Kristin Newman while Fong earned a 6-2, 7-5 win over Heather Lehman at No.3.
"We hit the ball well today," said Aggie head coach Bill Maze. "Our match in San Diego helped us as both were played on fast courts. I think having played on the fast surface yesterday really prepared us for today's match."
UC Davis concludes its three-match roadswing through Southern California on Wednesday with another CCAA match at Cal Poly Pomona. Matchtime is set for 10:30 a.m.
UC DAVIS WOMEN'S TENNIS
UC Davis 9 def. Cal State San Bernardino 0
March 30, 2004
at San Bernardino, Calif.
No.1 Ally Muller (UCD) def. Alicia Brown (CSUSB) 6-1, 6-4
No.2 Nancy Mok (UCD) def. Jennifer Newman (CSUSB) 6-1, 6-1
No.3 Jennifer Fong (UCD) def. Heather Lehman (CSUSB) 6-2, 7-5
No.4 Yuka Otaka (UCD) def. Sarah Majors (CSUSB) 6-1, 6-1
No.5 Audrey Wingo (UCD) def. Mallory Bailey (CSUSB) 6-0, 6-1
No.6 Luna Tieu (UCD) def. Kristin Newman (CSUSB) 6-1, 6-0
No.1 Muller/Mok (UCD) def. Brown/J. Newman (CSUSB) 8-4
No.2 Fong / Christy Battig (UCD) def. H. Lehman/Majors (CSUSB) 8-1
No.3 Amanda Wise / Ashley Lehman (UCD) def. Bailey/Yurii Camacho (CSUSB) 8-1 | http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/w-tennis/recaps/033004aaa.html | 688 |
Bellaire grad Evans plays in Houston Baptist loss
Bellaire High School graduate Jonathan Evans played for Houston Baptist in its 91-50 loss to Oregon Saturday, Dec. 22, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Houston Baptist's website reported.
Houston Baptist's next game is 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 at LSU.
Evans is a junior guard for Houston Baptist. He is a 2010 graduate of Bellaire High School, where he was a three-time all-district selection for coach Bruce Glover. The Houston native and business management major is the son of Edward and Monica Evans.
For more information, visit www.hbuhuskies.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball.
Local Advertising by PaperG | http://www.ultimatebellaire.com/stories/452959-sports-bellaire-grad-evans-plays-in-houston-baptist-loss | 155 |
Copa Signs Minor League Contract With Angels
July 11, 2011
AMHERST, Mass. - Former Minuteman first baseman, Peter Copa, who graduated from UMass this spring, signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim late last week. Copa will begin his professional career in the Rookie-level Arizona League as a member of the Arizona League Angels.
Copa is the second Minuteman to sign a professional contract this summer. Fellow UMass infielder Matt Gedman was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft with the 21st pick of the 45th round, 1,372nd overall. It marks the first time since 1995 that multiple UMass position players have joined the professional ranks in the same year. With Copa's signing, he becomes the 38th player of head coach Mike Stone's 24-year tenure at UMass to ink a pro deal.
Copa, who played in the 37th Annual NEIBA All-Star Game this June, finished his time at UMass with the finest season of his collegiate career. He hit a career-best .351 (42-for-151) in 2011, good for second on the squad, while leading the Minutemen in home runs (11) and RBI (42), both career highs, as well. The first baseman was second on the team with 42 runs scored and paced UMass in stolen bases (14-for-16) and walks.
Copa led the Atlantic 10 in both slugging percentage (.649) and on base percentage (.484) this year. His on base percentage also landed him in the UMass record books as the eighth highest on the school's single season list. In addition to his 11 homers, which tied him for ninth all-time in program history for a single season, Copa registered 10 doubles and one triple in 2011.
In A-10 play, Copa appeared in all 24 of the Minutemen's games, starting 23, and led the squad with a .395 batting average (32-for-81), which ranked second in the conference. He also paced UMass in conference action with 25 RBI, 27 runs scored and six home runs.
Over four years with the Minutemen, Copa played in 140 games with 128 starts and hit .319 (149-for-467) with 119 runs scored, 106 RBI, 29 doubles, six triples and 24 home runs. His home run total ranks tied for sixth on the UMass career top-10, while he his eighth with a career slugging percentage of .561. | http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/071111aab.html | 538 |
Worcester, Mass.-- The University of New Hampshire men's track and field team finished the four team meet hosted by the College of the Holy Cross with 176 points, just behind the host team that accumulated 177 points and the University of Rhode Island, whose 229 points took top billing.
The Wildcats finished the meet with five first place finishes. In the 110 meter hurdles, Jason Marshall (Piscataway, N.J.) was fastest with a time of 15.16 seconds, and just nine hundredths behind Marshall was teammate John Barry (Nashua, N.H.), who clocked in at 15.25. The pair also competed in the 400m hurdles, and this time Marshall finished second with a time of 56.00 and Barry's time of 58.87 placed him fourth.
In the 3,000m steeplechase, the Wildcats dominated, taking home three of the top four spots. Dan Hocking (Merrimack, N.H.) won the event in 9:51.89, Ben Strain (Barrington, R.I.) finished with a third place time of 10:10.59, while Ben Tobin (West Hartford, Conn.) finished fourth (10:31.94).
In the pole vault, Jared Burke (Salem, N.H.) took home first place honors with his vault of 14'06.00" and fellow Wildcat Greg Hillson (Glastonbury, Conn.) finished with a height of 13'06.00" to place fourth. Hillson also took home a second place finish in the high jump with a height of 6'02.00". Burke also took home a fourth place in the triple jump with a 40'01.25" effort. Paul Thompson (Portland, ME) won the event with his 41'05.75" leap.
Tim Lyons (Wakefield, Mass.) won the javelin title with a 203'01.00" toss and earned a second place finish in the hammer throw (175'07.00"). Lyons' teammate Andrew Thompson (Freedom, N.H.) finished fourth in the same event with a 160'02.00" throw.
Other noteworthy performances were turned in by Kyle Schneck (Concord, N.H.), who finished the 800m in 1:57.83 good enough for second place. Ryan Raymond (Loudon, N.H.) finished the 1,500m in fourth place with a finishing time of 4:07.33, less than three seconds out of first place. Joil Bergeron (Keene, N.H.) took home second place in the discus with his throw of 154'07.00". In the long jump, Wildcat John Teator (Cheshire, Conn.) leaped 18'03.75" placing him third, and Mike Wells (Dover, N.H.) finished fourth in the shot put with a 46'08.75" effort.
The next action on the Wildcat schedule is the Drake Relays on April 27-29 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. | http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mtrack/moutdoortrack/1999-00/releases/archivepage.cfm-pid=5F997C1D-BDB7-0F43-AA143271C04E39E0.htm | 637 |
Wildcats extend unbeaten streak to 21 games
DURHAM, N.H. - Martine Garland (Toronto, Ontario) set up two of the Wildcats' three power-play goals to lead the No. 1-ranked University of New Hampshire women's ice hockey team to Sunday afternoon's 4-1 Hockey East victory against 10th-ranked Providence College at the Whittemore Center.
UNH won its ninth consecutive game to extend its unbeaten streak to 21 games (20-0-1) and improve to 25-2-1 overall, 14-1-1 in Hockey East. The Wildcats, who swept the season series (3-0-0) vs. Providence for the first time since the 2000 season, sit atop the league standings with 29 points. PC is now 16-10-4, 10-5-2.
Following a scoreless first period in which UNH recorded a 14-5 shot advantage, the 'Cats quickly built a 2-0 lead with power-play goals 13 seconds apart in the middle of the second stanza. With two Friars in the penalty box, Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) collected Garland's pass in the high slot and fired a shot that ricocheted off a PC player into the net at 9:45. Then Amy McLaughlin (Berlin, Mass.) took aim from the high slot and her shot was tipped past PC goaltender Jana Bugden at 9:58. Leah Craig (Seaforth, Ontario) was also credited with an assist on the play.
Providence pulled within 2-1 at 18:14 when Karen Thatcher broke in alone down the slot and wristed a shot that slid inside the left post. Kristin Gigliotti, who advanced the puck through the neutral zone to Thatcher, set up the tally.
The Wildcats began the third period with a 5-on-3 power play for 1:33 but did not extend its one-goal lead until Nicole Hekle (Winnipeg, Manitoba) scored at 11:55. Standing at the right post, Lindsay Hansen (Northport, N.Y.) crossed the puck across the crease to Jackie Wedster (Chicago, Ill.), whose shot trickled behind Bugden and was pushed into the open net by Hekle.
Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) extended her point-scoring streak to nine games - as well as her goal-scoring streak to five - with a power-play tally at 13:22 to extend UNH's lead to 4-1. Bugden stopped Garland's initial shot from the high slot and denied Faber off that rebound, but the puck caromed back to the rookie and she found the back of the net with her next shot.
UNH goaltender Melissa Bourdon (Ile Bizard, Quebec) improved to 7-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against-average and .941 save percentage vs. nationally-ranked teams with 12 saves. PC's Bugden recorded double digits in saves each period to finish with 40.
Two of Bourdon's best saves came in the first period. She had faced just one shot when she stoned Brittney Lomond, who had just exited the penalty box, on a breakaway. Minutes later, Bourdon made a kick save on Sonny Watrous' shot from the right circle and stopped Thatcher's shot from close range off the rebound.
New Hampshire returns to action Feb. 17 (7 p.m.) at the University of Connecticut. The next Wildcats' home game is Feb. 19 vs. UConn. Game time at the Whittemore Center is 2 p.m. and tickets may be purchased online at www.unhwildcats.com/tickets. | http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/wice/2005-06/releases/archivepage.cfm-pid=5F96D0C3-BDB7-0F43-AE5C63FB822710E1.htm | 777 |
USA Swimming will hold a Safe Sport Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs Jan. 27-29. The panels begin Jan. 28.
Below is a schedule of panels and a list of speakers who will appear at the conference:
Monday, January 28
7:30-8:00am – Registration
8:00-8:30am – Bruce Stratton, Opening Comments; Cecil Gordon, Introduction of Britt-Darwin Looney; Britt Darwin-Looney, Goals for Conference
8:30-9:30am – Dr. Sandy Wurtele: “Scope of the problem: Incidence of child sexual abuse”
9:30-9:45am – Break
9:45-11:45am – Dr. Anna Salter: “Coaches who commit sexual abuse”
11:45am-1:00pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15pm – Dr. Sandra Kirby: “Abuse in Sport: What makes athletes vulnerable?”
2:15-3:30pm – Aaron Lundberg: “Creating a culture of safety”
3:30-4:00pm – Break
4:00-5:00pm – Panel Discussion: Chris Gavagan, Sandra Kirby, Sandy Wurtele
6:00-7:00pm – Reception
7:00pm Dinner – Chris Gavagan: Keynote Address
Tuesday, January 29
8:00-9:30am – Anne Tiivas: “Safeguarding children in and through sport: yesterday, today and tomorrow”
9:30-10:30am – Panel Discussion: Malia Arrington, Anne Tiivas, Susan Woessner
10:30-11:00am – Britt Darwin-Looney: “Call to Action”
Britt Darwin-Looney is the Director of Youth Development Services for Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management.
She manages Praesidium’s youth development client-base of fitness centers, parks and recreation centers, resorts, camps, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCAs. She also conducts trainings, incident investigations, and risk assessments for youth serving organizations nationwide. Darwin-Looney graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Christian University. She completed her law degree at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.
A writer and director with Radiate & Reflect Productions, Chris Gavagan has worked in New York’s independent film world since 1999. In November of 2009, he began production on the documentary Coached into Silence, a feature-length documentary which deals with the sexual abuse of boys within the world of organized sports. The film will tell the stories of a diverse group of boys, from Little League to the Olympic and professional ranks whom the system failed to protect. Far more sinister than those failures of prevention, this film will shed light on the organizational, institutional and legal systems which have conspired in attempting to silence the victims while protecting profits, their reputations and in some cases, the predators themselves.
Gavagan’s own experience of sexual abuse at the hands of his roller hockey coach while growing up in Brooklyn, New York was the genesis of this project, and to some extent forms its spine. But it’s the courageous survivors that he has interviewed which provide its limbs, its lungs, its eyes, its brain, and its beating heart. Beyond stories included in the film, it has been getting to know hundreds of other survivors throughout the course of making the film which truly brought Coached into Silence to life. Chris has had the opportunity to speak and show footage from the film before legislators in numerous State Capitols in support of laws strengthening victim’s rights and child protections, as well as on national television and radio, including The New York Times, New York Daily News, The Atlantic, Anderson Cooper, and NPR.
Dr. Sandra Kirby
Abuse in sport: What makes athletes vulnerable?
Dr. Sandra Kirby is, first and foremost, a sport scientist. She has published numerous books and articles including the Dome of Silence: Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sport (2000) and Experience Research Social Change: Methods Beyond the Mainstream (2006). She is international expert on abuse in sport, in a member of the International Task Force on Harassment and Abuse in Sport and has worked with the IOC and with UNICEF on child protection projects and publications.
Her sport science is supported by her long career as an athlete – as an Olympian from the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal and medal winner at numerous rowing, marathon canoe racing and cross country skiing races, many of them international. She also is an international FISA umpire for rowing and has recently returned from the 2012 Paralymic Games. She is the Associate Vice-President Academic and Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Winnipeg, Canada.
Creating a culture of safety
Aaron Lundberg is the Vice President of Account Services for Praesidium. He works with administrators and executive directors of large-scale human service organizations across the United States to develop, implement, and monitor abuse-prevention policies and training programs.
Lundberg specializes in the study and prevention of sexual abuse in organizational settings. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington, he has conducted extensive research in the etiology, scope, and prevention of abuse in residential treatment centers. Since joining Praesidium in 2001, Lundberg has assessed, analyzed, and consulted on multiple cases of sexual abuse within a wide range of organizations. He has trained thousands of direct care workers, supervisors, administrators, and parents in preventing the sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults.
Dr. Anna Salter
Coaches who commit sexual abuse
Dr. Anna Salter received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard University and obtained a Master Degree in Child Study from Tufts. She was a Teaching Fellow at both Universities.
Dr. Salter has lived in Madison, Wisconsin since 1996 and consults part-time to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. In addition, she lectures and consults on sex offenders and victims throughout the United States and abroad. She has keynoted conferences on sexual abuse in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and England. In all, she has conducted trainings in 50 states and 10 countries. Dr. Salter also evaluates sex offenders for civil commitment proceedings and other purposes and has testified as an expert witness in sexual abuse civil and criminal cases.
Dr. Salter is the 1997 winner of the Significant Achievement Award from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.
Safeguarding children in and through sport: yesterday, today and tomorrow
Anne Tiivas is the director of the Child Protection in Sport Unit in the United Kingdom. Tiivas is responsible for managing the Unit’s staff in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. She also manages relationships with the respective Sports Councils, with CPSU key partners in sport, and with the wider safeguarding world.
Tiivas maintains contact with a range of sports-related trusts and organizations, government departments, the Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority. She is also working with the International Olympic Committee to develop international resources to address sexual harassment and abuse of athletes.
Tiivas is a trained social worker and has been with the CPSU since 2001.
Dr. Sandy Wurtele
Scope of the problem: Incidence of child sexual abuse
Dr. Sandy Wurtele is a psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
She currently directs the undergraduate program and chairs the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects. She has been studying childhood sexual abuse (CSA) since 1986 and is recognized as an international expert in CSA prevention. Dr. Wurtele is the author of education and scholarly materials for professionals, parents, and children. | http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1506&itemid=4994&mid=8977 | 1,667 |
Miami Heat (58-23)@
Chicago Bulls (62-20)
Wednesday, May 18
29 pts, 57 fg%, 43 ft%
21 pts, 30 fg%, 70 ft%
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - LeBron James scored nine of his 29 points in the closing minutes, but it was the Heat's defense that allowed them to beat the Bulls, 85-75, and even their Eastern Conference Finals series.
Miami limited Chicago to just two points in the final seven minutes, closing the game on a 12-2 run overall. And the Bulls' only points in that stretch came on a well contested layup by Taj Gibson.
The suffocating effort sits in stark contrast to the series opener three days ago, when Chicago ended the game on a 46-24 run to come away with a 103-82 victory. It also puts Miami in position to grab the series advantage Sunday at home in Game 3.
James pulled down 10 rebounds while Dwyane Wade had 24 points and nine boards for the Heat, markedly better performances than Game 1, when they combined for 33 points.
"They respond and often play their best when their back is against the wall, under adversity," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Miami also got 13 points and five rebounds off the bench from Udonis Haslem, who played for just over 23 minutes in his biggest performance of the postseason.
Derrick Rose had 21 points, eight assists and six boards for the Bulls, but made just seven of his 23 shots -- shots he said he would normally make.
"I think I was just missing shots or flipping the ball up, not going strong (to the basket)," Rose said. "It was just one of those nights."
However, it was also Miami's defense, which played a big part in limiting the MVP to just two points in the fourth quarter.
As lopsided as the final result was, Chicago was still in the game with 7:16 to go, when Gibson dunked to make it a 73-73 game. But the final result also was an indication of how dominant the Heat were down the stretch.
After a series of missed shots, James broke the deadlock with a three-pointer, then used a pump-fake to knock down a jumper from the right elbow with 3:15 on the clock.
Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver had a three-pointer rim out at the other end, and after James was called for traveling, Gibson was credited with a layup. He went up for the basket against three Miami defenders, and the ball appeared to drop through the netting after it hit the back of Joel Anthony's hand.
It pulled Chicago within a possession, but the Bulls didn't score the rest of the game against Miami's defense.
Luol Deng drove toward the right side of the basket before James knocked the ball away, giving the Heat a chance to put the game away. James took advantage, grabbing his own rebound to knock down a short put-back jumper and extend Miami's lead to 82-75.
After Wade blocked Rose's jumper, James secured the victory with a fall-away from just above the foul line with 47.3 seconds to go.
"You've got to give them credit, their defense was outstanding," said Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. "They fought us; their ball pressure was great."
The Bulls held the lead after the first quarter despite missing a number of shots early. They grabbed seven offensive rebounds to generate some second chances, and also had success penetrating the paint late in the period.
Deng closed the quarter by drilling a shot from several yards beyond halfcourt, making it a 26-19 game.
But the Heat closed the gap shortly into the second quarter, when they scored six points in less than a minute. Wade had four, including a dunk off an alley-oop from James to tie the contest at 32.
Miami carried a 48-46 edge into the break, then built its lead up to 11 in the third quarter after having success in the paint. The Heat brought a 71-65 advantage into the fourth quarter, but it quickly disappeared after Gibson opened the period with a pair of jumpers.
Officials: Monty McCutchen, Jason Phillips, Derrick Stafford | http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/game/recap/l.nba.com-2010-e.14395/ | 886 |
"They were so little and young," victim said of teenagers who stole his SUV at gunpoint.
DETROIT -- Prosecutors announced carjacking charges Monday against four teenage boys from Detroit accused of stealing an 88-year-old former Tuskegee airman's SUV at gunpoint.
The teens -- ages 13, 14, 15 and 16 -- had a preliminary hearing Monday and are due back in court later this month, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
At first, Jesse Rutledge didn't think anything was amiss when a group of teens approached him Saturday afternoon as he was leaving a barbershop at Harper and Van Dyke in Detroit.
"They were so little and young," said Rutledge of Detroit.
Then the smallest boy flashed a gun.
"They said, 'Give me your keys! Give me your keys!" Rutledge recalled Monday. He pulled his keys from his front pants pocket and watched them drive off in his black 1999 Jeep Cherokee.
Prosecutor's Office officials said the teens were arrested Sunday and have been charged as juveniles. Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor's Office, said the 15-year-old alleged gunman received a $75,000 bond. The other teens each received a $50,000 bond.
A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for March 20.
Rutledge was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African Americans who served various roles in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
Rutledge said he was drafted into the military at age 18. He served as a gunner on a B25 bomber over Japan.
Rutledge said he later moved to Detroit and eventually ran various businesses, including a Laundromat, shoe repair shop and ice cream parlor, in the area of the barbershop he visited Saturday.
Rutledge said when he was slow to retrieve his car keys from his pocket, the gunman racked the gun and called him a racial epithet.
"I've heard that too many times," Rutledge said of the slur, explaining that he faced racial discrimination while growing up in Alabama and in the military.
Rutledge said the gunman "jumped in that car and took off like he owned it," along with the other teens. Rutledge called police from the barbershop. He said he was glad he wasn't hurt.
"It looks like their dad and momma should be charged. ... They're teenagers," Rutledge said. "They just need teaching or something. If they keep going like this, someone is going to get killed, or they're going to get killed." | http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/05/teens-charged-tuskegee-airman-carjacking/1964055/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29 | 545 |
What was highly anticipated is becoming a reality. New York Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera is expected to announce his plan to retire after the 2013 season on Saturday.
A press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Steinbrenner Stadium.
Rivera, 43, enters the 2013 season as the all-time saves leader with 608.
After a 25-pitch bullpen session today, Rivera would not confirm that he was going to announce his retirement on Saturday.
"If you hear that from me, that will be confirmed," Rivera told The New Post. "It's only a rumor until I talk."
Rivera entered camp not ready to make an announcement but said his decision was made.
"Yes, I have (made a decision)," Rivera said on Feb. 13. "I won't give it up until I'm ready for that. Yes, I have. Yes, I have. But again, I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment."
That moment has come. Rivera is expected to make his announcement Saturday, which is also the day he is scheduled to make his spring training debut.
Many suspected Rivera would retire after the 2012 campaign. His season was cut short when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in May while shagging fly balls in Kansas City. Rivera had ACL surgery in his right knee in June. He vowed a comeback and said he didn't want to end his career that way.
Rivera became the most dominant closer in baseball when he took over the closer's role in 1997. Since then, he saved at least 30 games a season until last year.
He became a legend in October.
"I admire his ability to compete in an almost relaxed state in the highest-pressure situations," Hall of Famer Cal Ripken said.
In the postseason, he saved 42 games and had a 0.70 ERA while winning five World Series titles.
Contributing: Gabe Lacques in Sarasota, Fla. | http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2013/03/07/mariano-rivera-expected-to-announce-plan-to-retire-saturday/1970811/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomSports-TopStories+%28Sports+-+Top+Stories%29 | 408 |
March 08, 2004
USI baseball falls for fourth time on spring trip
Southern Indiana (4-7): 3 @South Carolina-Aiken (9-10): 10
Aiken, SC– The University of Southern Indiana baseball team could not overcome a five-run second inning by the University of South Carolina-Aiken, losing its fourth of the spring trip, 7-3, Monday evening in Aiken, South Carolina. USI falls to 4-6 overall, while the Pacers improve to 9-10.
With a 2-0 lead after an inning and a half, the Pacers scored five times in the bottom of the second inning, aided by two USI errors. USCA also had a pair of home runs in the inning off of junior starting right-hander Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana).
Keener, 0-1, finished his third outing of the season by going four innings and allowing nine hits and seven runs, four earned, and struck out one.
USI tried to get back into the games, narrowing the USCA lead to 7-3 with a pair of runs in the fourth and a single tally in the fifth. The Pacers sealed the victory with three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the 10-3 win.
A positive for the Eagles was the pitching of senior right-hander Mike Kottmeyer (Boulder, Illinois). Kottmeyer went three innings in relief of Keener, allowing one hit while striking out three.
At the plate, senior first baseman Toby Pritchard (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) led the Eagles with a pair of hits and an RBI. Sophomore leftfielder Tyler Ford (Fishers, Indiana) also had a pair of hits, going two-for-three with a run scored before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth.
The Eagles try to get back on track at Augusta State University Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9-10, for a two-game series before heading back north. Game time Tuesday and Wednesday is 1:30 p.m. each day. USI resumes its home schedule Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14, when Quincy University visits the Eagles to begin the GLVC schedule.
Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information | http://www.usi.edu/sports/baseball/baseballpress.asp?num=2084 | 463 |
Quote Sheet: U.S. U-20 WNT Head Coach Steve Swanson
U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach Steve Swanson talks about the team’s tour in Japan and preparing for the 2012 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
June 4, 2012
U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach Steve Swanson talks about the team’s tour in Japan and preparing for the 2012 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup from Aug. 18-Sept. 8.
On the U.S. U-20 WNT’s Japan tour:
“We are excited about this upcoming tour to Japan for a number of reasons, primarily because it will give us a chance to play one of the favorites in this upcoming World Cup on their home turf. We played Japan twice last summer in San Diego and both games were extremely competitive. Japan is a skilled, disciplined and well-organized team that will test our team in all phases of the game. Not only will the games challenge us, but we are excited about experiencing the same sort of travel to the Women’s World Cup host country, which will give us a greater understanding of what we can expect in August and September.”
On the U-20 player pool:
“After evaluating a large pool of players at multiple training camps throughout the past year we have finalized a pool of players that will make up the roster for the World Cup. We’ve had a very consistent pool since the beginning of the year and we feel the majority of players who will make up the final roster will come from this group going to Japan.”
On the preparation over the past year:
“We put a plan in place over a year ago and thanks to the hard work of so many people our team has consistently improved during this time. Since we qualified for the World Cup in March, we have had two excellent training camps in April and May that helped put us in a great place heading into the summer. There is still a lot of sweat and hard work ahead of us, but we are excited about the opportunity and challenge of becoming the best possible team we can be heading into the World Cup.” | http://www.ussoccer.com/news/u-20-wnt/2012/06/u20-wnt-head-coach-steve-swanson.aspx | 465 |
Jordan Wynn threw for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns to rally No. 23 Utah from an early two-touchdown deficit to a 37-27 victory over California in the Poinsettia Bowl on Wednesday night
The Utes scored 27 straight points to win their ninth straight bowl game, the longest current streak in the country. The Golden Bears, in a bowl game for the school-record seventh straight year, had their four-game postseason winning streak snapped.
Wynn, a true freshman, improved to 3-0 at Qualcomm Stadium, including two section championships while the starter at suburban Oceanside High. He graduated last December and enrolled at Utah in January, allowing him to participate in spring ball.
Wynn completed 26 of 36 passes and improved to 3-2 as the Utes' starter.
Utah's defense came up big, too. The Utes sacked Cal's Kevin Riley five times and intercepted him twice, with linebacker Stevenson Sylvester returning a tipped pass 27 yards for a touchdown late in the game. Riley also lost a fumble.
Shane Vereen, who scored twice, was the seventh Cal back to gain more than 100 yards in a bowl, finishing with 122 yards on 20 carries.
Utah (10-3) looked overmatched after Cal (8-5) scored twice in 11 seconds midway through the first quarter. Vereen scored on a 36-yard run and Eddie Young intercepted Wynn on the first play of Utah's next drive and returned it 31 yards for a score.
After that it was all Utah, which a year ago beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Utah's defense shut down Cal and Utah scored on its last four possessions of the first half.
Wynn threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kendrick Moeai late in the first quarter and Joe Phillips' 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter pulled Utah to 14-10.
Wynn's 15-yard scoring pass to Moeai gave Utah the lead and his 21-yarder to Jereme Brooks made it 24-14 at halftime.
Riley fumbled early in the third quarter when he was sacked by Lamar Chapman, with Mike Wright recovering at the 14. That set up Phillips' 29-yard field goal for a 27-14 lead.
Cal finally scored again on a 1-yard run by Vereen with 39 seconds left in the third quarter to pull the Golden Bears to 27-21 before Phillips kicked a 25-yard field goal.
Riley was 20 of 36 for 214 yards and one touchdown.
Cal had only six first downs in the first half.
The Associated Press | http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/23/wynn-leads-no-23-utah-over-cal-in-poinsettia-bowl/ | 549 |
Nevada gambling regulators on Thursday approved a gambling license for the $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel-casino, clearing a path for what's expected to be the last new Las Vegas Strip casino for a while.
The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday unanimously approved the resort after an hourlong presentation that included questions for executives of the property and its owner, Deutsche Bank AG. The German lender picked up the property in August 2008 for $1 billion after its original developers entered foreclosure.
The nearly 3,000-room resort on 8 1/2 acres can now open as planned Dec. 15 with a 100,000-square-foot casino, including 1,500 slot machines and 83 table games.
Regulators questioned executives about the Cosmopolitan's condominium plans, the structure of Deutsche Bank's corporate role in the project and its high expectations for profitability presented to the commission.
"I think they are at the high end of the spectrum but they certainly are achievable," said Cosmopolitan CEO John Unwin. "A number of things have to go right."
Things haven't gone well for the state's gambling industry for more than two years, with gambling revenues along the Strip falling 10.6 percent in 2008 and more than 9 percent in 2009. Revenue is up 2.2 percent for the first seven months this year, but many analysts have warned that a full turnaround is not likely to come quickly.
Jeffrey Burge, the Cosmopolitan's chief financial officer, said the project thinks its location, marketing to luxury customers and partnership with Marriott International Inc. would help the resort draw customers.
"We will, of course, rely to some degree on recovery in the overall economy," he said.
Jeffrey Baer, Deutsche Bank's head of global logistics services and part of the board created to manage the Cosmopolitan, said a lawsuit in Los Angeles brought by condominium buyers alleging fraud is still pending.
"We believe those claims are without merit and are vigorously contesting them," Baer said.
The lawsuit accuses the developer of "capitalizing on the recession" by delaying construction, then "stonewalling" condo buyers while scrapping plans for some 2,000 condominiums.
Baer said the Cosmopolitan has 216 condominiums under contract. He said 50 buyers are not in litigation and are in the process of closing on their units. The rest would be delivered unless there's a settlement with the lawsuit, Baer told the commission.
The resort will open two weeks before a New Year's Eve bash with a concert by superstars Jay-Z and Coldplay. Roughly one-third of the resort's hotel rooms won't be ready for occupancy until July.
The Associated Press | http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/21/gambling-license-granted-for-cosmopolitan-in-vegas/ | 556 |
Sept. 10, 2010
Entering his senior season at Tennessee, John-Patrick Smith has returned to the top of the ITA national singles rankings, which were released Friday.
Already one of the most decorated players in program history, Smith finished 41-9 in singles as a junior and was ranked No. 1 in the national rankings through most of April and May, ending last season at No. 2. He is a three-time All-America and has the opportunity to become the Vols' first four-time winner this season.
Smith, a native of Townsville, Australia, is joined in the ITA's top 125 by Tennessee's in-state sophomore duo: Rhyne Williams at No. 21 and Tennys Sandgren at No. 83. In doubles, Smith and Williams are ranked seventh nationally, although they have never played a collegiate match together.
Williams, a Knoxville native, finished with a 41-7 record and SEC Freshman of the Year honors. He reached the singles round of 16 in the NCAA Championships and earned All-America honors. The No. 21 ranking is one better than his career high; he was ranked 22nd in the January 2010 rankings.
Sandgren, from Gallatin, joined the Vols in January and compiled a 23-5 record during that time. Friday's No. 83 ranking is also his career high. His previous best was No. 105.
Senior Boris Conkic, who has been ranked in the top 50 most of his career, has taken the fall semester off and is therefore, not ranked. Conkic was ranked as high as No. 20 last season and will rejoin the team in January.
Smith has always had success in doubles, no matter the playing partner. He and Davey Sandgren finished their playing time together with 80 victories, including a school-record 41 in 2010. Smith has 110 career doubles victories and is 21 wins away from tying Bryon Talbot's program record of 131. As a freshman, Smith played No. 1 in the doubles lineup with fellow Australian, Kaden Hensel, and the two earned All-America doubles honors.
Smith also picked up five wins with Conkic en route to a title at the ITA All-American and finished 46-9 in doubles last year. Williams, who played a majority of his matches with Conkic last season, finished 36-6.
All-American Championships Participants Released
The ITA also released its participant list for the ITA All-American Championships on Friday. Including prequalifying and qualifying, the full tournament runs from Oct. 2-10 in Tulsa, Okla.
Smith became just the third player to ever win the singles and doubles titles at the All-American last season and is the No. 1 seed in the singles draw. Williams also qualified for main draw singles and will team up with Smith in doubles. Smith and Conkic won the doubles title in 2009.
Tennys Sandgren is in singles qualifying, and senior Matteo Fago is an alternate for qualifying. The two are also listed as alternates for doubles qualifying. Fago and Sandgren played six matches together and were briefly ranked 42nd nationally.
No. 7 - John-Patrick Smith/Rhyne Williams | http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-tennis/spec-rel/091010aab.html | 668 |
Recap: Marist vs. Saint Peters
Poughkeepsie, NY (Sports Network) - Chavaughn Lewis tallied 19 points and Adam Kemp pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to lift the Marist Red Foxes to a 59-48 decision over the Saint Peter's Peacocks in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at McCann Arena.
Isaiah Morton added 10 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting from the floor as Marist (5-14, 2-6 MAAC) ended an eight-game losing slide. Lewis also grabbed nine boards and swiped five steals in the victory.
Darius Conley paced the Peacocks (6-12, 1-7) with 16 points and nine rebounds while Yvon Raymond produced 10 points and five steals. The setback was the sixth in a row for SPC.
Lewis knocked down a jumper just over a minute after tip-off to net the first points of the contest and the Red Foxes led the rest of the way. Marist took a 27-17 lead into halftime after it knocked down 46.2 percent of its field goal attempts and limited the visitors to 25.9 percent shooting from the floor.
SPC had the same field goal percentage in the second period, but it sank 15- of-21 at the charity stripe to stay competitive after the break. The Red Foxes coasted to the win by hitting 50 percent of their field goal tries over the final 20 minutes of play.
Marist enjoyed a sizeable, 43-30 edge in the rebounding battle to overcome its 9-of-18 showing at the free throw line.Game Notes | http://www.utv44.com/sports/cbaskm/l.ncaa.org.mbasket-2012-e.65371/game.aspx | 337 |
|Date of game: 1/30/2013
Recap: New York vs. Orlando
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony scored just enough on Wednesday to set a franchise record and help the Knicks to victory.
Anthony scored 20 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists as New York grinded out a 113-97 triumph over the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden.
Posting his 30th straight game with at least 20 points, Anthony surpassed Richie Guerin for most consecutive performances in team history.
"Any record that you have a chance to go get, or break or tie, that's the fun part," said Anthony. "You have a chance to do something like that, tonight was a chance for me to break the record. It makes it fun out there."
Tyson Chandler added 21 points and seven rebounds, while Amare Stoudemire once again excelled in his bench role, scoring 14 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Raymond Felton added 15 points with nine assists in New York's third win in four games.
JJ Redick scored a game-high 29 points and Jameer Nelson posted 21, but the struggling Magic dropped their seventh straight and 18th in 20 games.
"Its difficult, losing is not fun," said Redick. "Definitely wears on you, but there's worse things. You have to keep perspective and stay positive."
For the second straight game, Orlando was without its top scorer in Arron Afflalo, who sat with a strained calf. The Magic then lost forward Glen Davis early in the contest with a broken foot.
The Knicks and Magic were tied at the halfway point, but New York took a 79-73 edge into the fourth after posting a 16-10 advantage inside the paint during the third.
Chandler and Stoudemire feasted around the rim to help the Knicks pull away, as each had three consecutive scores before Pablo Prigioni buried a triple to create a 75-68 edge.
"Third quarter was great," Stoudemire said. "We played great defensively, we were able to get a good lead and also capitalize offensively.
The Knicks quickly went ahead by double-digits in the fourth and saw their advantage balloon to 16 points after J.R. Smith, Anthony, Felton and Steve Novak each buried a triple in succession.
Anthony surpassed Guerin for most consecutive 20-point games with his shot from beyond the arc during the 3-point barrage, after which the Magic never came any closer than 11 points.
Redick came out on fire, making his first six shots. Nelson also got off to a good start and the two combined for five 3-pointers and 36 of the Magic's points in the first half to help keep them tied with New York at 51-51 going into the break.
However, Orlando struggled from long distance in second half, shooting just 1- for-11 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, New York thrived from beyond the arc, making nine treys over the final two quarters -- including 7-for-12 in the final stanza.Game Notes
The Knicks have won the first three matchups with the Magic this season, and
the last contest between the teams will take place on Mar. 20th in New York
... Jason Kidd did not play for New York, sitting with an ailing back ...
Anthony passed Bob Cousy for 80th place on the all-time scoring list ... The
Magic have the worst record in the NBA since Dec. 21, posting a 2-18 record. | http://www.utv44.com/sports/nba/l.nba.com-2012-e.17839/game.aspx | 743 |
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
Bradenton, Fla. - Jeff Mandsager's RBI single with one out in the bottom of the 10th lifted Valpo to a 6-5 victory over St. Bonaventure. The Crusaders improved their record to 2-2 on their spring trip.
Sean Peickert led off the bottom of the 10th with a single. After St. Bonaventure pitcher Soren Johnson recorded an out, Mandsager belted a single into the gap to score Peickert with the winning run.
Valpo scored twice in the first inning and three times in the third to take a 5-2 lead. The Bonnies mounted a comeback in the sixth inning to tie the game at 5-5. Both clubs had eight hits.
The Crusaders play single games on Thursday against Duquesne and Boston College. | http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news-print/2002-03/5517/mandsagers-10th-inning-rbi-single-lifts-valpo-past-st-bonaventure/ | 178 |
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - Russia's Khabib Allakhverdiev won the vacant World Boxing Association super-lightweight title Friday night, beating Joan Guzman on a technical decision.
Guzman, the former two-division champion from the Dominican Republic, fell to canvas as he tried to avoid a punch in the eighth round at the BB&T Center. Guzman gingerly walked to a corner, favoring his left leg, but informed referee Luis Pabon he wanted to resume the fight.
Allakhderviev (18-0) quickly pursued Guzman (33-1) and landed a left to the head that appeared to have knocked down Guzman. Pabon didn't rule it a knockdown, but Guzman told Pabon and his trainer, Herman Caicedo, he could not continue fighting because of the leg injury.
Judges Michael Pernick and Mark Streisand had Allakhverdiev ahead, 76-75, at the time of the stoppage. Judge Nelson Vazquez scored the fight for Guzman, 76-75.
Allakhverdiev scored with two straight rights and a left hook to the head that sent Guzman to the canvas in the third round for the fight's only knockdown. Guzman landed shots to the body in an attempt to neutralize the taller Allakhverdiev in the fourth.
The 29-year-old Allakhverdiev had another strong round in the fifth, keeping Guzman on the defensive and connecting with lefts to the head.
After ending his reigns as junior-bantamweight and junior-featherweight champion, Guzman twice failed to make weight in two title bids at the 135-pound lightweight class. He also was suspended for eight months after testing positive for a banned substance following his second-round TKO win over Jason Davis in December 2010. The result was reversed to a no-contest.
Guzman and Allakhverdiev both weighed 138 pounds for the fight. | http://www.vegasinsider.com/boxing/story.cfm/story/1340196 | 422 |
Knights ground Eagles for 8th straight win
Riding a season-high eight-game win streak, the North Okanagan Knights are the hottest team in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
Kris Mallette’s Knights remained undefeated in 2013 with a 4-2 win over the Sicamous Eagles in a Doug Birks Division showdown Wednesday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The division-leading Knights (29-11-1-2) did just enough to earn wins against lower-seeded opposition last weekend, but Mallette knew it would take a better effort against the second-place Eagles (25-10-2-4).
“The guys responded extremely well,” said Mallette. “It was one of the most important games of the season. You do the math and it can make or break where we finish for playoff seeding.”
North Okanagan will face an equally difficult opponent when they battle the Beaver Valley Nitehawks (28-12-3-1) tonight in Armstrong. Terry Jones’ goal-happy Hawks lead the KIJHL with 201 goals and a plus-77 differential. The Knights are fifth at plus-44.
North Okanagan’s top line of Matty Saharchuk, Derek Andrews and captain Steve Pantazopoulos carried the offence Wednesday, with Saharchuk collecting his team-leading 22nd and 23rd goals.
Of the second goal, Mallette said: “One-on-one, he just buried his shoulder and carried it across the crease. It was a thing of beauty, going to the outside and powering to the net.
Pantazopoulos added three helpers, d-man David London earned his first snipe on a pointshot and Colton Thibault netted his 11th. Singles by the Eagles’ Michael Bell (2nd goal)and Corbin Marcotte (14th), with eight second to play in the first period, had the score tied 2-2 at the break.
Dustin Nikkel recorded 24 saves in his first start since he was released by the BCHL Salmon Arm SilverBacks. Kris Joyce was pulled in favour of Jack Surgenor (12 saves) after allowing three goals on a dozen shots.
ICE CHIPS: Michael Hails is the Vancouver Island Junior B loop’s Player of the Week. The Vernon product helped the Comox Valley Glacier Kings split a weekend home-and-home with the Nanaimo Buccaneers, posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .936 save percentage. He is 6-4 with an overall GAA of 2.71. The Kings are second in the North Island Division at 18-18-2. | http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/sports/188280611.html | 570 |
As Joe Banner goes from meeting to meeting and decides what may be necessary to bring championships to Cleveland, the Browns new CEO wrestles with conflicting emotions.
He’s knows change can be painful. He also knows it’s usually essential.
This isn’t easy.
“Some people will fit and some people won’t,” he said. “I understand that for everybody here I kind of have their immediate future in my hands and I feel bad.
“You don’t really want to create that kind of stress for people. But there’s no other way to do it. And in the end, we have to make whatever we think are the right decisions for the organization and hopefully do it in a fair and compassionate and transparent way.”
On the job for only a few weeks, Banner, hired by new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, has spent his first weeks pouring over documents, conducting interviews and analyzing every aspect of a once-proud franchise that has had little success for nearly two decades. Tough decisions, ones that could impact people he has known for years, lie ahead.
For Banner, this is business in the NFL.
He came to Cleveland after spending 19 seasons with Philadelphia, where he helped transform the Eagles into a perennial power — 11 playoff appearances, five NFC title games and one trip to the Super Bowl. On Friday, Banner met with the Associated Press and addressed some of his thoughts on reviving the Browns, who are just 2-7 and headed toward their fifth straight double-digit loss season.
Banner remains “open-minded” about second-year coach Pat Shurmur, whose future with the Browns will likely be decided in the season’s final seven games. Banner spent 10 seasons working in Philadelphia with Shurmur, who served as an assistant coach on Andy Reid’s staff. Banner likes Shurmur personally, believes he has the qualities to be a successful coach, and agrees the undercurrent of ownership change announced at the start of training camp was “kind of a curveball.”
Banner said Shurmur will be judged on his win-loss record, but not exclusively.
“I come here with an extremely positive view of Pat, but on the key qualities as it related to evaluating him as a head coach, with very little opinion,” he said. “I know he’s smart. I know he knows football. I know he’s hard working and I know he’s a good man. Now there’s a whole other series of qualities that differentiate the coaches in the league that separate coaches who are successful from others who are really successful.”
Haden a game-time decision
Browns starting cornerback Joe Haden will be a game-time decision on Sunday against Dallas with an oblique injury.
Haden, arguably the team’s best defensive player, missed his second straight day of practice Friday. Afterward, Shurmur expressed hope Haden will be able to play against the Cowboys.
“We’ll just have to see,” Shurmur said. “We’ll get him ready to go and if he can play, he will. If not, then we’ll adjust.”
Shurmur said Haden felt better and the injury is “something that can happen with a very harmless movement.” | http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/nov/17/new-ceo-digging-in-to-fix-browns/ | 718 |
Kim Lecheler has accomplished a feat that only few high school basketball players have; scoring 1,000 career points. She did it in Abbotsford's first game of the season this year against Augusta, not realizing the irony of it all until afterwards.
"I got my first high school career point against Augusta my freshman year, and in the same way, at that hoop here at the home game, a right handed layup," said Lecheler
Lecheler averages 17 points a game, which is first in the Marawood North conference. She's also top three in rebounds per game, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. Coach Gary Gunderson says having a player like that only makes his job easier.
"Because of her quickness we can set her up on defense to create problems for the other team that way as well," said Gunderson.
"So not only does it help us offensively, but it makes our job easier defensively as well."
Lecheler now has nearly thirteen-hundred career points, but she says that's not the statement that her and the Falcons are trying to make.
"In past years we've had a hard time even getting a win for the team. Girls basketball was just a joke, in all honesty. Now when people come to games and they're actually being able to think that we can actually win something, it's good to have that feeling."
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WAOW. All Rights Reserved.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance with issues relating to the content of this station's public inspection file should contact Chief Engineer Russ Crass at 715-842-2251. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, at 888-835-5322 (TTY) or at [email protected]. | http://www.waow.com/story/20878441/2013/01/31/athlete-of-the-week-abbotsfords-kim-lecheler | 405 |
He stumbled a bit with a bogey at 16. But when he stepped to the 18th tee, he suddenly devolved into the man who became so distraught with his game — way back in 2001 — that he walked off the course mid-tournament. He sent his drive so far left, it flirted with a concession stand. He twice hacked through the pine straw just to get back to the fairway, then sent his approach well over the green.
“It went from bad to worse on 18,” Stenson said.
A chip, a putt from the fringe, a miss from three feet and a tap-in later, he had a round-souring, quadruple bogey 8 — sending him from 5 under to a 1-under 71.
“I’ve got a temper, but it’s almost like I got past that stage,” Stenson said calmly.
World No. 1 Luke Donald three-putted the fifth hole for a bogey 5, a simple stumble en route to his 3-over 75.
“I three-putted 5 and three-putted 6, and [at] 2 over at that point, just sort of playing catch-up,” Donald said immediately afterward.
But when his score from the fifth was entered into Augusta National’s computer system, it somehow became a birdie 3 — and left open the possibility that Donald had signed an incorrect scorecard, which would have left him disqualified from the tournament.
After an investigation, club officials admitted an “administrative error” in the case, and Donald remained in the field.
Obama supports women
President Obama believes Augusta National should admit women, White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Thursday in Washington.
With the club’s policy to remain all-male again in question leading up to this week’s Masters, Obama, Carney said, understands that it is the private club’s decision, his “personal opinion is that women should be admitted to the club.”
“The president answered quite clearly to me that he believes Augusta should admit women,” he said. “We’re long past the time women should be excluded from anything.”
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, meanwhile, told reporters in Pennsylvania: “If I could run Augusta, which isn’t likely to happen, of course I’d have women.” . . .
Mark O’Meara, the 1998 Masters champion who hasn’t made the cut here since 2005, pulled out of the tournament before teeing off with a pulled muscle in his ribs, according to the PGA Tour. O’Meara played nine practice holes with his friend Woods on Wednesday, and then participated in the par-3 contest. | http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/2012/04/05/gIQAUMLLyS_story.html | 591 |
The Lakers have Kobe. The Celtics have an entire team of talent.
Local track stars head to state.
With Telluride Lady Miners win of League Championship soccer title comes home State Preliminary Playoff match against Aspen Wednesday
Overall, Montrose High School outrivaled all of the 19-team competition last week in Montrose.
Home opener game ends with Telluride taking historic 2-1 win over Durango Demons; Miners remain undefeated in league with flurry of home games on the horizon.
Cooney clan claim high spots in overall combined rankings; Team Telluride makes its mark on National Snowboard scene.
MHS girls hope the victory will reignite a mid-season win streak, with important matches ahead.
The Montrose Indians just couldn’t get around strong Tigers pitching this week. The team hopes to return to their winning ways against Fruita at Suplizio Field this weekend.
Track and Field season is underway for local high school teams. Ouray’s Sackman lands a 1st in the triple jump at Delta; Telluride’s Ludwig finishes 2nd in 100m high hurdles.
Ridgway Demons take Third at State Basketball Tourney
Trojans and Demons take wing in regional basketball tourney, overcoming their adversaries to move to the Great Eight this week; both teams play Thursday in Pueblo.
Trojans oust Demons for District Title.
Ridgway High School puts the finishing touches on its brand spanking new gym that, officials are keeping their fingers crossed, will play host to this year’s high school graduation.
“Before, it just wasn’t clicking. We’d go to state with good kids, same kids we have now, and not win. But this year was different,” says Montrose High head wrestling coach Kevin Passehl.
Telluride Freestylers shine in Rocky Mountain Freestyle home meet
Telluride fellows Chason Russell and Kelli Gleason also place.
Major will also compete against U.S. Olympic team members this month at a National Development System event in Park City; other TSSC alpine racers continue to shine in 2010.
Telski plans to open a new Superpipe next week, with nighttime hours Thursday through Sunday.
Despite a shaky foundation, Ouray boys basketball has risen to the top with a 7-1 record | http://www.watchnewspapers.com/pages/news_sports_more/push?class=prev_page&per_page=20&x_page=14&rel=prev&instance=sports_lead_story | 503 |
Proteas whitewash Black Caps 3-0
South Africa have completed a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in their one-day cricket series after cruising to an emphatic five-wicket win in Auckland.
Opener Hashim Amla led the run chase on Saturday with 76 as the Proteas, needing 207 for victory, got to 208-5 with 6.4 overs to spare.
New Zealand, in a disappointing batting effort at Eden Park, were bowled out at the end of their 47th over and their total of 206 never looked enough.
They also gave Amla a couple of lives, putting down a chance before he had scored and again when he was on 30, with Kyle Mills the unlucky bowler both times.
Amla got good support from makeshift opener Wayne Parnell and the pair took the score to 80 before Parnell was bowled for 27.
Mills finally did get Amla, who mis-timed a delivery to keeper Brendon McCullum, but at 138-2 in the 28th over, the Proteas were well on the way to victory.
Albie Morkel contributed 41 with some belligerent shots, including three sixes among his five boundaries, to help to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Rob Nicol picked up two late wickets in removing Faf du Plessis (19) and JP Duminy (25) but skipper AB de Villiers put an exclamation mark on the night with six over long-on to end the contest.
The Black Caps struggled to build momentum during their own innings after being sent in to bat.
Skipper McCullum top-scored with 47, missing out on his third half-century of the series, when he was caught after edging a drive off fast bowler Marchant de Lange.
The middle order of Kane Williamson (22), James Franklin (36) and ODI debutant Colin de Grandhomme (36) all made starts but couldn't produce the big performance New Zealand needed.
De Lange, also making his first ODI appearance, finished with 4-46, while left-arm spinner Robin Peterson took 2-36 from 10 economical overs.
South Africa now have the chance to sweep New Zealand in all forms of the game, having won the Twenty20 series 2-1.
The two sides play the first of three Tests in Dunedin, beginning on Wednesday.
Brought to you by | http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/proteas-whitewash-black-caps-30-20120303-1u9e7.html | 510 |
A shooting and a fiery crash left three people dead in the neon heart of the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday, and police scrambled to find out who triggered the carnage.
The bloodshed closed the Strip for about a block and a half around some of its biggest draws, leaving tourists gaping at a wrecked Maserati, a burned-out taxi and four other vehicles.
"First time in Vegas, and then, like, the whole thing, what you know from movies only -- I was shocked," Christine Gerstenberger, who was visiting the desert gambling mecca from Germany, said Thursday afternoon. She and her brothers debated going back to the hotel "because I'm totally scared," but "We're too curious," she said.
One of those killed was Kenneth Cherry Jr. -- a rapper also known as Kenny Clutch -- his attorney Vicki Greco said. According to his Facebook page, Cherry is from Oakland, California, and lived in Las Vegas.
Cherry's death was shocking, Greco said.
"Out of everyone I know in the rapping industry there is no way I would have ever, ever expected to find that he was shot on the Las Vegas strip in such an aggressive manner," said Greco, who said Cherry had two kids. "He didn't have a (criminal) record or a history. He was just a good kid trying to make it and be a good father."
Four of the Nevada city's biggest casinos -- Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, Bally's and the Flamingo -- are nearby, and police collected surveillance-camera video from them to help the probe.
Also killed in the incident was a cab driver named Michael Boldon, CNN affiliate KVVU reported.
His family is devastated by the death of the 62-year-old cab driver, his brother Tehran Boldon told the affiliate.
"It is gut-wrenching," a tearful Tehran Boldon told KVVU. "My life mission would be to see them punished and brought to justice for the senseless thing they did." | http://www.wbaltv.com/news/national/3-dead-after-Las-Vegas-Strip-shooting-crash/-/9379440/19018686/-/item/0/-/xgk0f2z/-/index.html | 426 |
No. 21 Wisconsin 63, Penn State 60: Traevon Jackson hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 15-point game as the visiting Badgers finished their regular season on a winning note following two straight losses.Freshman forward Sam Dekker scored 14 points off the bench - 12 in the second half - and senior forward Jared Berggren contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for Wisconsin (21-10, 12-6 Big Ten), which earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament. Junior guard Ben Brust had 13 points on 3-for-7 shooting from 3-point range.Junior guard Jermaine Marshall led the Nittany Lions (10-20, 2-16) with 23 points, while D.J. Newbill contributed 22 and scored four straight to tie the game with five seconds remaining. Sophomore forward Ross Travis led Penn State with 11 rebounds and added six points.The Badgers scored the first eight points and led by as much as nine midway through the first half, but Penn State used a 10-0 run to climb back into the game and led 25-24 at halftime.Wisconsin's bench outscored Penn State's 17-3. The Badgers shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, including 5-for-12 from behind the arc, and were 10-for-12 from the free throw line down the stretch.GAME NOTEBOOK: Wisconsin earned the No. 4 seed when Michigan lost to Indiana 72-71 on Sunday. … Berggren rolled both of his ankles at separate points in the game but did not miss significant time. … Penn State finished the regular season at the bottom of the Big Ten for the second straight season. | http://www.wbaltv.com/news/sports/Recap-Wisconsin-63-Penn-State-60/-/9379464/19261094/-/3wm5yn/-/index.html | 352 |
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Nick Bonino registered his first career hat
trick and an assist to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a 7-4 win over the Los
Angeles Kings at Honda Center.
Bonino beat Los Angeles netminder Jonathan Quick twice in the first 5:49 of
the game and potted one of the Ducks' three power-play markers at the 8:39
mark of the third period.
Anaheim also got man-advantage tallies from Sheldon Souray and Kyle Palmieri.
Bobby Ryan, Luca Sbisa and rookie Emerson Etem each collected two assists for
the Ducks, who improved to 5-1-1 on the season.
Dustin Brown scored two power-play goals for the Kings, who had totaled just
11 goals in their first six games.
The Sports Network | http://www.wbir.com/sports/pro_hockey/article/252575/156/Bonino-records-first-hat-trick-as-Ducks-down-Kings | 181 |
Chris Beranger could still be that football player.
To no one's surprise, Danica Patrick won the fan vote to earn the 22nd and final starting position in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski reportedly underwent a fourth surgery to repair a broken left forearm.
Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus sustained a broken right hand after striking a locker following a rough outing Sunday.
The Charlotte Bobcats will reportedly change their team nickname to Hornets.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin has undergone reconstructive surgery to repair the ACL in his right knee. | http://www.wdef.com/sports/cbaskm/l.ncaa.org.mbasket-2012-e.64926/game.aspx | 130 |
Seeing as the new Premier League season starts tomorrow, I thought it would be great to jot my predictions for the season down.
Now bearing in mind my predictions last season, I cannot guarantee that these predictions will be right. After all last year I predicted that Swansea and Norwich would go down and that Blackburn (who were atrocious) would finish a staggering 13th so I am bound to get 2-3 clubs positions completely wrong!
So here is what I believe come the end of the season, the Premier League table will look like:
1) Manchester United
2) Manchester City
9) Aston Villa
12) West Ham
15) West Brom
So there you have it. I have gone for Manchester United to reclaim the Premier League title. Before the signing of Robin van Persie, my gut told me that Manchester City would retain the league. However as Champions, teams will now not want to lose to them and will put in that extra 10% needed to try and stop them.
Some critics might say that City will be stronger this season and they of course will be right. City will be even more motivated to win things. Jack Rodwell’s a terrific signing and with Carlos Tevez slimmed-down, they will be scoring plenty of goals.
European champions Chelsea will finish third comfortably ahead of Spurs who I think could have a really good season under Andre Villas-Boas. After being unfairly sacked by Roman Ambramovich, he has a lot to prove to the footballing public in the UK and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win the FA or League Cup this year.
Liverpool will be stronger this year. Suarez I feel will score plenty this season and certainly Liverpool will pick up a lot more points at home than they did last year (27). Andy Carroll I think will have a good season as will Joe Allen but they don’t have enough quality to get into the top 4. They should do well in the Europa League though.
I don’t see Arsenal and Newcastle being too far behind Liverpool. Arsenal face a tough year and with RVP gone and Alex Song seemingly on his way out, they will struggle in the big games between the top 5/6. I think playing in Europe may hurt Newcastle and their league form will suffer as a result but I can see them doing well in the FA Cup.
Down at the bottom I cannot see Noriwch staying up. Losing Paul Lambert will hurt them massively and despite the club making a great appointment in Chris Hughton, it will be near-impossible for the Canaries to match their achievements of last season. Don’t expect Grant Holt to get into double-figures of goals either!
The other two to join Norwich back to the Championship will be Reading and Wigan. Despite being busy in the transfer-market thanks to their new Russian owner, I fear the Royals lack enough quality where it matters to stay up. As for Wigan, despite the signing of Arouna Kone, this might be the year the team everybody predicts to go down finally does go down which would be a shame considering the hard-work that goes on at the DW Stadium.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87 | http://www.weallfollowunited.com/man-utd/2012/8/17/premier-league-201213-predictions.html | 665 |
Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Montreal Canadiens starting goaltender Carey Price will miss Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers with the flu.
Price was coming off two straight wins over the Lightning and Panthers earlier in the week, but was felled with illness on Friday night, according to the club.
Peter Budaj will get the start, only his third of the season. He is just 0-1-1 in two prior appearances.
"'Buds' has played well for us when he's been in there and then we go and make mental mistakes and mental errors and we're not sharp," admitted Habs defenseman Josh Gorges. "We have to do a better job in front of him and help him out a lot more than we have."
To fill the open roster spot, the Canadiens recalled goaltender Robert Mayer from Hamilton of the American Hockey League.
Coming into play, the Flyers have won three of their last five games against the Canadiens in Montreal. | http://www.wetmtv.com/sports/nhl/Montreal%20Canadiens/story/Habs-G-Price-out-with-flu/znvlKBU0KkajFMxCV5UcVQ.cspx | 198 |
Armchair Analyst: Five rivalries to look forward to in 2011
NEW YORK — One of the principles of sports has always been that meaning is conferred, not created. By point of example: It is the mutual loathing, or dislike, or even polite dismissal of various fan groups that tend to create the best sports rivalries.
Narrow it down from “sports” to “soccer,” and the direct-line correlation becomes even clearer. Just Google “soccer tribalism” and you’ll get nearly 300,000 hits, the first of which is a piece from CNN pondering whether “a Cosmos comeback” could spark soccer tribalism here in North America.
The author had obviously never been to The Home Depot Center on the day of the LA Superclasico. Or to the Pacific Northwest during a Cascadia Cup match. If he had, he would’ve known that soccer tribalism is here already. And it’s here to stay.
Over the course of the past decade, various rivalries, some expected, some not, have pushed MLS slowly away from the “Big 4” professional sports model, where the regular season is, frankly, watered down, and toward the NCAA football model, where it’s an annual ritual to circle rivalry games on the calendar months ahead of time.
With that in mind, here are five feuds I’m greatly looking forward to come March:
The I-95 Corridor: The league’s oldest rivalry is the one between D.C. United and New York (first MetroStars, now Red Bulls), which began before a ball had ever been kicked in MLS. It started, as seemingly all things do these days, with an internet war of words and has continued in earnest through 15 years.
The addition of Philadelphia Union to the Atlantic Coast just added to the volatile concoction, particularly, since so many Philly fans are ex-Screaming Eagles. While this has led to a level of fraternal good-fellowship between D.C. and Philly groups, the Sons of Ben maintain United’s animosity toward everything NY-related.
2011, with the Union and United having already made major offseason acquisitions and New York trying to build on their conference title, looks to be even better.
The Rocky Mountain Cup: The rivalry between the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake doesn’t get much publicity on the coasts, but it should. The Rocky Mountain Cup, as it was anointed by fan groups of the two teams, has simply been a bloodbath the past three seasons. Each year, Colorado seem poised to take it back (they won the first two versions in 2005 and 06), but RSL cruelly slam them on some improbable play and defend their title.
Throw in the fact that they’re the last two MLS Cup champions, and that both team’s rosters have been together long enough to get to know—and dislike—the other, and the coming year’s Rocky Mountain Cup promises 180 minutes of pure entertainment.
As of this moment, this is the best rivalry in the league.
The Battle for Canada: The story of Canadian soccer since 2000’s Gold Cup victory has been one of missed chances. Fans across the country are hoping that comes to an end in 2011, and that the budding rivalry between Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the catalyst for it.
At stake are not just points in the league standings, but the love of a nation. Because whichever of these two clubs is more successful at turning out Canadian stars will capture the hearts of English-speaking Canada.
The California Classico: If you’re a non-Galaxy US soccer fan, Landon Donovan is a hero for whom you clap politely when he’s announced in the starting lineup, then boo for 90 minutes.
If you’re a San Jose Earthquakes fan, he’s the guy you burn in effigy just before gametime, “The Goal” be damned.
Once upon a time Donovan led the Quakes in what was, without question, the league’s best rivalry. San Jose beat LA 2-1 in MLS Cup 2001. LA got revenge the next year, clinching the Supporters Shield with a 1-0 win at San Jose.
Then came the 2003 playoffs. LA won the first leg 2-0, then took a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes of the second leg. With the Quakes down 4-0 on aggregate, Donovan led what is still the most impossible comeback — and most dramatic game — in league history, as the Quakes netted four times in regulation then added a fifth in injury time for a shocking 5-4 aggregate victory.
Donovan left San Jose for LA a year later, and Quakes fans have never forgiven him.
Thanks to Chris Wondolowski & Co., there’s great hope in the Bay Area in 2011—and a strong desire to knock their one-time hero off on the way.
The Cascadia Cup: This rivalry deserves a column in and of itself, but I’ll keep it short.
Basically, Seattle Sounders FC, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have been doing this battle for decades. And they’re going to escalate things when the latter two join MLS in 2011. Hell, before they’ve even fired a ball at an MLS goal, the Timbers and ‘Caps have already fired shots across Seattle’s bow—and at each other for good measure.
Tifo, billboards, two-footed tackles—this one has it all.
If you’re a fan in the Pacific Northwest, it’s going to be as intense as any rivalry in the world. If you’re a fan outside the region, it’s going to fun to watch.
So enjoy it. Enjoy them all. Tribalism may be a dirty word in some ways, but it’s the lifeblood of this sport: Do your part and hate thy neighbor.
Matthew Doyle can be reached for comment at [email protected] and followed at twitter.com/mls_analyst. | http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2010/12/armchair-analyst-five-rivalries-look-forward-2011?quicktabs_club_news_qt=3 | 1,296 |
Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert called up to Canadian men's national team camp
The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Friday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert has been called up to Canada’s senior men’s national team for an upcoming camp in the United States.
“I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Russell because he’s a player who has had a phenomenal attitude all the way through his youth,” said Colin Miller, interim Canadian men's national team head coach. “I’m looking forward to seeing the young lad kick on this season with the Whitecaps and hopefully he does very well for Canada here in these two internationals… I know how much it means to him to play for Canada.”
The camp will run from January 19 to 30 in Arizona and Texas. In that time Canada will play matches against Denmark on January 26 at 12 p.m. PT in Tucson, Arizona, and against the United States on January 29 at 6 p.m. PT in Houston, Texas.
The January 29 friendly against the United States will be broadcast in Canada on Sportsnet at 6 p.m. PT.
Teibert, 20, heads into his third MLS season with Whitecaps FC after graduating from the club’s Residency program in 2010. During his first two seasons in MLS, Teibert has made 15 appearances, starting six matches. In 2012, the Niagara Falls, Ontario, native made four MLS appearances, starting one match. Additionally, Teibert started all nine of his appearances in the MLS Reserve League, recording two assists.
This will be Teibert’s second camp with the senior men’s national team after first being called up in August, 2012.
Also invited to the camp are three players who are taking part in preseason training with Whitecaps FC, including: goalkeeper Simon Thomas, defender Andres Fresenga, and midfielder Evan James.
Additionally, four former members of Whitecaps FC are on the 22-man roster: defender Mason Trafford, midfielders Philippe Davies and Terry Dunfield, and striker Kyle Porter.
Miller - a former Whitecaps FC assistant coach - has stated that the camp will provide an important opportunity to assess the ‘future’ of the Canadian team.
“One of our key objectives for this camp is to look towards the future and give some of our young players a chance,” said Miller.
“It is important for us to take a step forward during the camp and over the course of the next two matches. We expect the young players to come in very hungry and looking to show well for the future of the men’s national team.”
With an average age of just under 25, this is the youngest Canadian team to be assembled since May 2006.
Ten players have earned their first call-up to the men’s national team. Eight players featured in Canada’s men’s U-23 team at the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Mason Trafford is taking part in his first national team camp at any age level.
Dwayne De Rosario, Nik Ledgerwood, Lars Hirschfeld and Tosaint Ricketts are the only players on the roster to have taken part in game action during 2012’s CONCACAF third round of FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifiers™.
Following the January camp in USA, Canada has confirmed that it will take on Japan in a Men’s International Friendly on March 22 in Doha, Qatar as the team continues its preparations for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup to take place in USA in July.
1- GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
2- M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll
3- FB- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
4- CB- Nana Attakora | FIN / FC Haka
5- CB- Dejan Jaković | USA / D.C. United
6- M- Philippe Davies | USA / Richmond Kickers
7- M - Terry Dunfield | CAN / Toronto FC
8- CM- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
9- F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
10- F- Frank Jonke | FIN / FF Jaro
11- M - Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
12- M- Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault |
13- CB- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
14- M/F- Dwayne De Rosario | USA / D.C. United
15- M- Emmanuel Gomez | ARG / Club Atletico Griffa
16- M - Matt Stinson | CAN / Toronto FC
17- F- Kyle Porter | CAN / FC Edmonton
18- GK- Roberto Stillo | ITA / Genoa CFC
19- M- Evan James |
20- D- Mason Trafford | FIN / IFK Mariehamn
21- FB- Andrés Fresenga | URU / Racing Club de Montevideo
22- GK- Simon Thomas | | http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2013/01/whitecaps-fc-midfielder-russell-teibert-called-canadian-mens-national-team-camp?quicktabs_mls_standings_quicktabs=eastern&quicktabs_club_news_qt=3 | 1,096 |
An athletic and powerful defender, Rusin joined Whitecaps FC on January 11, 2013, after spending the prior year-and-a-half with Danish club HB Køge. The 26-year-old is reunited with Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie after playing two-plus seasons (2009 to 2011) for the Scotsman at Carolina RailHawks.
DANISH SUPERLIGA/FIRST DIVISION 2012-13: In his second season with the club, Rusin made 10 appearances as HB Køge played in the Danish First Division. 2011-12: Rusin began his time with HB Køge following their promotion to the Danish Superliga in 2011, making 28 appearances and contributing offensively with three goals. In total, the Holmes Beach, Florida native played a total of 38 matches in Denmark.
NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE 2011: Prior to his time in Europe, the 6-foot-4 centre back played two-plus seasons under Rennie at Carolina RailHawks. In 2011, Rusin – who was named team captain – appeared in 11 matches and scored two goals for the RailHawks.
UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE 2010: Rusin’s second season in Carolina was played in the United States Soccer Federation Division-2 Professional League (USSF D-2). The defender appeared in 19 matches and scored one goal for the RailHawks, helping Carolina capture the 2010 NASL Conference Title. In the postseason, Rusin appeared in four of the team’s six playoff matches, as the RailHawks reached the USSF D-2 championship series before falling 3-1 on aggregate to Puerto Rico Islanders.
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FIRST DIVISION 2009: In his debut season with the RailHawks, Rusin appeared in 21 matches and scored two goals in Martin Rennie’s first season as head coach of the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) side, helping the Cary, North Carolina squad to a club-best second place finish.
COLLEGE 2008: In 2008, his senior year, Rusin was named co-captain, Defensive MVP, and first-team All-Pac-10. He appeared in and started 20 matches, registering three goals and four assists. He was named Pac-10 Player of the Week and consensus National Team of the Week member after scoring the match-winner at Oregon State and leading the defensive core to two shutouts. 2007: Rusin earned honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours once again, while appearing in 20 matches with 19 starts for the Bruins and leading the defensive unit to five shutouts in the 2007 season. 2006: In Rusin’s second season with the Bruins, he appeared in 17 matches, including 16 starts, and received honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours for the second straight year. 2005: Before his time with the RailHawks, Rusin enjoyed four successful seasons at the University of California, Los Angeles. In his debut season with the Bruins, Rusin appeared in 15 matches, including 11 starts, and earned honourable mention All-Pac 10 honours.
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE 2008: In between his time with the Bruins, Rusin played in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL). As a member of the San Fernando Valley Quakes, Rusin appeared in 10 matches and scored one goal in his final season in the PDL, while helping the Quakes to the PDL Southwest Division title. 2007: In his second PDL season, Rusin appeared in 10 matches for Ventura County Fusion. 2005: In his debut PDL season, the athletic defender appeared in 15 matches, registering five goals and one assist.
The Indiana-born defender was named team MVP while leading St. Stephen's Prep to an 18W-1L-2D season in 2005, recording eight goals and four assists while playing centre back. His efforts also saw him named an EA SPORTS All-American, First-team all-state and all-area. Rusin Also played one year (2001-02) at Valparaiso HS in Indiana. Additionally, Rusin trained at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida and was IMG Defensive Player of the Year while serving as team captain for the IMG PDL squad and played on the IMG Academy Team that won the 2005 U-19 Dallas Cup. The young leader also captained North West Indiana United FC and the Indianapolis Arsenal SC. As a top player in his age group, Rusin was a five-year Indiana ODP State team member. As an 18-year-old, Rusin trained with Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2004.
Full name is Bradford Evan Rusin. Born September 5, 1986 in Crown Point, Indiana. Mother Karen and younger brother Parker live in Holmes Beach, Florida. Father Clifford Rusin played Division I soccer in the early 70's for Western Illinois University.
Rusin names Chelsea FC as his favourite soccer club, Michael Jordan as an athlete he admires, his mom as his biggest influence, and lists hanging out with friends, cooking, playing video games, and as his interests. In the kitchen, Rusin likes to cook chicken and salmon. At UCLA, he was a geography major with a career objective in engineering management or architecture/construction management. On the coaching front, Rusin holds a USYSA D National Coaches License. Away from the soccer field Rusin enjoys playing basketball and beach volleyball | http://www.whitecapsfc.com/players/brad-rusin?quicktabs_club_news_qt=2&quicktabs_mls_standings_quicktabs=western&quicktabs_=stats | 1,169 |
Gabe Kreider loves the challenge of being a lineman for the Broadway Gobblers and wears his number 52 with pride.
“The challenges that it brings you, that apply to life. Broadway football I like especially, because of the community and people around you. The coaches and your teammates, you grow so close with,” said Gabe.
His coach says its his leadership that stands out.
“He's a great football player, but more importantly he is a good role model for the other kids in our program,” said Gabe's coach Brad Lutz.
Gabe earned all-district and all-region honors.
In the classroom he is just as successful. He has a 3.58 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“I'm only going to do as well as I want to do, and as hard as I'm going to try in school is where it's going to put me in life. If I try to reach to reach towards my potential, that's how I'm going to do,” said Gabe.
“He's lot of fun. He participates in everything we do. He's always willing to work hard, and do his best. His grades are good. He keeps up with a whole lot of different things, even with a crazy busy athletic schedule,” said Gabe's teacher Anne Thompson.
For his future, he is staying local.
“I'm going to JMU, its for sure. I want to study education. Hopefully after school I want to be a P.E. teacher, and coach football,” said Gabe.
His success on the field and in the classroom is why Gabe Kreider is WHSV's Student Athlete of the Week.
© Copyright 2013 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | http://www.whsv.com/sports/studentathlete/headlines/Gabe__146354415.html | 384 |
Jim Hager, one of the Hager Twins who satirized country life with cornball one-liners on TV's "Hee Haw," died in Nashville, the show's producer said Friday. He was 66. Hager was at a coffee shop when he collapsed Thursday, Sam Lovullo said. He said he had been told that by Jon Hager, the surviving twin. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he had been taken, gave no details on the cause of death.
The twins, who were also guitarists and drummers, rose to national fame as original cast members of the TV show in 1969. With its mixture of music and country-flavored humor, the show was a huge hit. The fast-paced use of one-liners was inspired by the huge success of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" — but with a rural twist. "People laughed at themselves," Jim Hager said in a 1988 Associated Press interview. "They liked the chemistry on the show and the fast pace."
"They (the jokes) were not all platinum," Jim Hager said. "The writers count on the person delivering the line to pull it off. It was cornball, no denying it." The Hagers had worked with country star Buck Owens and used his connection to join "Hee Haw" when Owens signed as the show's co-host with Roy Clark. Lovullo said he was looking for male talent to match the young, attractive women on the show.
"Jim was a delightful, funny, loyal friend," said longtime "Hee Haw" cast member Lulu Roman, who also lives in Nashville. "He will be missed greatly as one of my true friends." The Hagers left the program in the mid-'80s and continued to perform shows together. "They still maintained that youthful look and carried on like young people," Lovullo said Friday.
The twins were born in the Chicago area. They said in 1988 that they had been together all their lives except for 3 1/2 years when Jon left Los Angeles and moved to Nashville. Jim remained on the West Coast, but finally followed.
Designed by Gray Digital Media | http://www.wibw.com/13newsat4/headlines/18534999.html?site=mobile | 445 |
Hall of Fame Athlete
Jimmy Watts '00
- Basketball, Track and Field
- Hall of Fame Class of 2011
Jimmy Watts won two NCAA Division III national championships in the decathlon in 1999 and 2000 while earning All-America honors. He set a Willamette record in the decathlon at the 2000 NCAA Championships with a score of 7,384 points.
Watts ranks in the Top 10 all-time at Willamette in five track and field events. He is first in the decathlon, second in the high jump (6’10.75”), fourth in the javelin throw (202’11”), seventh in the pole vault (14’5.25”) and ninth in the long jump (22’10”).
He won back-to-back Northwest Conference individual championships in the high jump in 1999 and 2000, clearing 6’8.75” each year.
Watts also competed for the Willamette men’s basketball team for three seasons. He was a post for the Bearcats in 68 games during his career and shot 51.3% from the field. He averaged 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Tune in to the Bearcat Network and watch live webcasts for select competitions and see live stats for nearly all Bearcat competitions. You can also find social media links like Facebook and twitter, rss feeds and video archives.
Naomi Stukey is the official bearcat photographer. Click the above link to browse and purchase action shots. | http://www.willamette.edu/athletics/hof/athletes/bios/watts_jimmy.php | 327 |
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email
Update: Call for U's fans to unite after Kassam sale talks
Mark Sennett said: “This is a call to arms for Oxford United fans so I would urge them to join us and get their voice heard.”
He added he wanted U's fans to oppose the move.
London Welsh moved to Oxford last summer and it has now emerged they are holding talks with the stadium’s owner Firoz Kassam. | http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/10141360.UPDATE__Call_for_U_s_fans_to_unite_after_Kassam_sale_talks/ | 118 |
Sat November 10, 2012
Sports: A Possible Super Bowl Preview And Letting Go
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
This is Weekend Edition from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. Time for sports.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
SIMON: The NFL season at the half-way point. Big game this weekend. Sunday, tomorrow night, two 7-1 teams in a classic face-off. Ha-ha. One of them's the Bears. In college football, Notre Dame and Kansas State are in the top 5. What is this, 1997? And the L.A. Lakers send their coach packing. Are they already chanting ohm in Santa Monica?
We're joined now by Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. He's at the studios of the New England Public Radio.
Howard, thanks for being with us.
HOWARD BRYANT: Hey, Scott. Good morning.
SIMON: Good morning. So the Bears taking on the Houston Texans tomorrow. Both teams 7-1. Texans have a great ground attack with Arian Foster. Bear defense, Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman. This a Super Bowl preview?
BRYANT: Well, it's not my Super Bowl preview. But...
BRYANT: It's the Super Bowl preview for a lot of people because once again the Chicago Bears - whenever you have a great Bears team, it's always focused around their defense. And actually this year, they're scoring points as well. And so I think that people are starting to look at them.
And also, maybe Jay Cutler has matured enough now that he can lead a team. That's always been the big question with the Bears. They've never really ever had a great quarterback.
And so the Texans, on the other hand, are a team that people thought were ready last year, then they lost their quarterback Matt Schaub; still made the playoffs. And now it looks like they've got all the different pieces that you need to be a champion. The question is going to be whether or not they're one of those teams that can actually get over the hump.
And let's not forget that the Atlanta Falcons are undefeated. They're the only unbeaten team. And very much like Houston, the question is whether or not they've got what it takes to put it together after you put together a good season.
SIMON: Let me ask about the NBA. L.A. Lakers fired their coach, Mike Brown, after just five games, going 1-4, but without also any wins in the pre-season. Do I already hear the cry in the air this morning, Zen Master?
BRYANT: For Phil Jackson? Sure. Well, how can you not? One, Phil Jackson is the most accomplished coach in NBA history, even more so than Red Auerbach, because he did it in a bigger league, although he also did have the greatest players that I think any coach has ever had in Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and Shaq and Kobe. He had an unbelievable cast.
But the bottom line is that Phil Jackson is a very, very tough guy to replace. And Mike Brown was in a very difficult position. Kobe Bryant wants Phil Jackson back. How do you - the guy you don't want to be is the guy who replaces Phil Jackson or a guy who replaces a Michael Jordan or Cal Ripken. The shoes are too big. And I think that if they can make an offer - if you can get Phil Jackson back on the bench, believe me, he'll be back.
SIMON: Want to go to college football. With Notre Dame and Kansas State in the top five, it's almost like a time capsule. Now, the Irish have a big game coming up against Boston College. They're 9-0. Boston College is, I think, 2-7. But, I mean, given the history of these two teams, you can never rule upset, can you?
BRYANT: Well, you never can rule out upset. And also I think one of the reasons why you can't necessarily rule out upset - although I feel like Notre Dame is going to win that game pretty handily - is that you've got a couple things at work here. One, Notre Dame's schedule had been so absolutely geared toward them finishing strong. They had two big games. You had the Oklahoma game, and you've got Southern California. And then after that it looked like it was pretty smooth sailing for them.
The interesting thing about them is that we live in a time of college football of huge offense. You look at what Oregon is doing. Oregon is scoring 50 points a game. The SEC isn't a huge scoring conference, but, you know, they're in their own little universe, because they're so much better than everybody else.
And so the question for Notre Dame has been whether or not this is going to be a team that can actually win a national championship with - surprise - defense. It just doesn't happen that often. And if they do, I think it's going to be a very special story.
And I think it's nice for them - and for the game, if you care about the history of college football - to have Notre Dame back. It's like having the Yankees be good or having, you know, UCLA be good in basketball. They're are a legendary team and I think it's a good thing for them, even for the Notre Dame haters.
BRYANT: Because at least then - there you go.
SIMON: Shake down the thunder from the sky. Howard Bryant, thanks so much.
BRYANT: My pleasure. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio. | http://www.wknofm.org/post/sports-possible-super-bowl-preview-and-letting-go | 1,191 |
Jeremy Brevard/USA Today Sports
CLEVELAND -- Rob Chudzinski might get a third shot at coaching the Browns. Maybe this time as the head man.
A person familiar with the meeting says Chudzinski, Carolina's offensive coordinator the past two seasons, is interviewing Wednesday with the Browns. Chudzinski had two previous stints as an assistant with Cleveland, the team he rooted for as a kid.
Chudzinski is visiting the team's facility in Berea, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams are not confirming any interviews. Chudzinski's interview comes one day after the Browns met with another former assistant, Marc Trestman, currently coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes.
The Plain Dealer first reported Chudzinski's interview.
The 44-year-old Chudzinski has spent the past two seasons with the Panthers working with quarterback Cam Newton. Carolina finished fifth in total offense in 2011 and 12th last season under Chudzinski. He was Cleveland's tight ends coach in 2004, but was fired along with the rest of Butch Davis' staff. He returned to the club in 2007 as the offensive coordinator for Romeo Crennel.
Last year, Chudzinski interviewed for head coaching jobs with St. Louis, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay.
Chudzinski's connections with the Browns run deep.
He grew up in Toldeo, Ohio, pulling for the Browns and he was thrilled to be part of Davis' staff. After he left Cleveland the first time, he spent two seasons as San Diego's tight ends coach, working with perennial Pro Bowl standout Antonio Gates, before he was hired by Crennel in 2007.
That year, the Browns won 10 games -- their most wins since 1999 -- and had four players make the Pro Bowl. However, 2008 didn't go nearly as well as injuries and a six-game losing streak to close the season resulted in a 4-12 record and the firing of Crennel.
Chudzinski went back to the Chargers for two more seasons before he was hired in Carolina.
After meeting with Chudzinski, the Browns are expected to interview Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. The Colts have granted the Browns permission to speak with Arians, who has been hospitalized twice in recent days with an inner ear infection.
Arians fell ill on Sunday and had to miss the Colts' playoff loss to Baltimore.
Arians also has ties to the Browns, serving as their offensive coordinator from 2001-03.
FOX Sports reported the team will interview Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the first known defensive coach to meet with the Browns.
Owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner are in Week 2 of their search to find a "strong leader" to take over the Browns, who went 5-11 this season.
TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
The Associated Press | http://www.wkyc.com/(S(5gc40445twtwgj453gk2liai))/sports/article/277472/377/AP-Source-Browns-interviewing-Rob-Chudzinski- | 619 |
Milwaukee, WI --Dion Waiters scored 18 points to lead a balanced Cleveland scoring attack as the Cavaliers downed the Milwaukee Bucks, 94-82, at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
C.J. Miles chipped in with 16 points and Kyrie Irving scored 15 for the Cavs, who snapped a six-game losing skid.
Tristan Thompson had 14 points and 14 rebounds, Tyler Zeller dropped in 11 points to go with 10 boards and Alonzo Gee chipped in 10 points in the win.
Monta Ellis scored a game-high 37 points for the Bucks, who have dropped three of their last five.
The Sports Network | http://www.wkyc.com/sports/article/275045/4/Balanced-Cavs-best-Bucks-94-82-to-stop-skid | 138 |
A Major League catcher is thrown a curveball on a Wisconsin interstate.
His wife delivered their daughter herself on the way to the hospital.
A.J. Ellis, catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, missed the birth of his two older children, Ainsley and Luke, because of baseball.
So when his wife, Cindy, was due to give birth to their third child near her hometown of Milwaukee after the season ended -- he couldn't wait to be there in person -- seems like little Audrey couldn't wait, either.
"We get on the interstate and I'm driving, picking up speed, and she says to me 'how much further?' I said 'about 18 miles away' and she said 'we're not going to make it,' and the whole time she's screaming 'this is not normal,' and I'm thinking 'this is labor, this is normal' -- like I know," Ellis said.
Cindy was giving birth to Audrey in the car.
"She slid onto the seat, and I just picked her up. I don't even remember, really, it happened so fast, I just picked her up and turned her around and was just glad that it was over," Cindy said.
"At that point, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'm about a 15 or 20, and I glance to my right and Audrey's glancing right at me, with her big eyes wide open, and my panic level dropped to a 9.5," Ellis said.
The pro athlete said he was shaking so badly here along Interstate 43 while trying to call the hospital at the same time to let them know what was happening and where they were, since there were no other ERs in the area, the hospital told him to keep driving.
Like a pro, Cindy wrapped little Audrey in a jacket to keep her warm until they got to the hospital, where everyone was pronounced to be in perfect health. | http://www.wlky.com/news/LA-Dodgers-catcher-s-wife-delivers-baby-on-Wisconsin-interstate/-/9366352/17227466/-/2v8nxp/-/index.html | 396 |
Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Paul Millsap led eight players in
double-figures with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Utah Jazz
posted a 131-99 rout of the Toronto Raptors.
Enes Kanter gave 18 points and eight rebounds, Gordon Hayward added 17 points
while Marvin Williams had 14 points for the Jazz, who have won their past two
games after a three-game losing streak. Randy Foye scored 13 points, Mo
Williams posted 11 points and 10 assists while DeMarre Carroll and Jeremy
Evans gave 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Utah has dominated the series with Toronto over the past eight seasons,
winning 14 of the 15 games played between the two clubs. That includes a
140-133 triple-overtime game in Toronto on Nov. 12.
Andrea Bargnani had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors, who have
dropped three straight and nine of their last 10 games. DeMar DeRozan scored
17 points and pulled down five rebounds.
The Sports Network | http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=211824 | 224 |
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Clarence Trent tallied 18 points and nine
rebounds as the Seattle University Redhawks downed the Montana State Bobcats,
87-72, in the season opener for both squads at KeyArena.
Deshaun Sunderhaus added 14 points and eight boards for the Redhawks (1-0),
who will spend this season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference
after acting as a Division I Independent for the last two seasons. Chad
Rasmussen (12 points) and Prince Obasi (10 points) both put together solid
nights coming off the bench.
For Montana State (0-1), Paul Egwuonwu recorded a double-double with 13 points
and 10 rebounds, while Antonio Biglow (15 points), Flavien Davis (12 points),
and Calen Coleman (10 points) also scored in double figures.
Seattle held Montana State to just 25.8 percent field goal shooting in the
opening half. The Redhawks shot 40 percent from the floor in the frame, and
they went into halftime with a 15-point lead.
The Redhawks led by as many as 25 in the second half, and the Bobcats never
got to within single digits.
In addition to a poor field goal percentage (.364), Montana State was plagued
by 28 turnovers. Seattle didn't take care of the ball very well either,
turning it over 25 times.
The Sports Network | http://www.wltx.com/sports/college/basketball/article/208748/339/NCAA-Game-Summary----Montana-State-at-Seattle | 301 |
Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Rookie Dion Waiters scored a game-high 18
points and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for an 86-83 victory over the
Chicago Bulls in a preseason clash from the University of Illinois' Assembly
Waiters, the fourth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, hit on 7-of-12 field
goal attempts and shot a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Fellow rookie Tyler Zeller contributed 10 points and Anderson Varejao pulled
down 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which began its preseason schedule with a
97-80 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 27-19 lead after one quarter and extended their
advantage to 50-29 at halftime behind nine points from both Zeller and Luke
Chicago opened the second half with a 14-0 run, however, and later tied the
contest at 63-63 on Marco Belinelli's jumper to begin the fourth quarter.
Waiters hit a three-pointer on the other end, however, and the Cavaliers would
go up by as many as 10 points heading into the final two minutes before
staving off Chicago down the stretch.
Hinrich paced a Chicago squad playing without star guard Derrick Rose (knee)
with 14 points. Taj Gibson added 12 for the Bulls, who kicked off their
preseason with a 92-88 win over Memphis on Tuesday.
The Sports Network | http://www.wltx.com/sports/pro_basketball/nba/article/205340/335/NBA-Game-Summary---Cleveland-vs-Chicago | 300 |
The Sacramento Kings couldn't figure out how to put the hammer down on the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at Sleep Train Arena.
Given the looming possibility of a team sale and move to Seattle, it made sense that the Kings appeared to be in disarray.
Initially, the Kings appeared to ignore the specter of upheaval, but the Mavericks ended their five-game losing streak with a 117-112 overtime victory before an announced crowd of 14,011.
None of the Kings players has been in Sacramento longer than swingman Francisco Garcia. The seventh-year player from Louisville said he can't concern himself with the rumors.
"We've heard this before, a couple of times," Garcia said. "Whatever happens happens. It's not like we can do anything. I hope we stay here. I really do. But what if I worry about it? It won't make a bit of difference."
Small forward John Salmons had just gotten over the rumors about a possible move to Virginia Beach, Va.
"The day before, it was Virginia Beach, and I heard it was not going to happen. So I relaxed for a minute," Salmons said. "And then the next day, there was all this stuff about Seattle.
"I was shocked. I mean, I always knew there is a possibility that something could happen with the team, but I didn't think it was going to happen like that."
Salmons said he'll be prepared if the team is sold and moves.
"It's like being traded to Seattle," he said, "if it happens. I've been traded a couple of times, so I know what it feels like. We just go where the team is and play." | http://www.wmur.com/news/sports/Amid-uncertainty-Kings-lose-in-overtime-to-Mavericks/-/9857950/18092272/-/154u33fz/-/index.html | 350 |
By Jose Grijalva, Project Spurs.com
NBA commissioner David Stern has come out and defended
his actions of fining the San Antonio Spurs a sum of $250,000 for sitting their "four best players" against a game against the Miami Heat in Miami.
Stern went on to say that he has no problem with the coach (Gregg Popovich), but it's about "the relationship between 30 owners and 30 teams." He also pointed out it's San Antonio's only visit to the Miami area and it was early in the season to be resting players.
Stern is no stranger to controversry and this answer of trying to clear up the situation may make it worse in the eyes of his fans and some NBA head coaches.
When the league found out the Spurs sent their stars home, the commissioner's response was that it was a "disservice" to the fans. His most recent answer doesn't mention the fans, in fact it sounds more like an answer he'd give at a business meeting.
for the complete article at Project Spurs. | http://www.woai.com/content/sports/spurs/story/Stern-Fine-was-justified/uFVBGYu5Mk6dLtudMJDGRA.cspx?rss=324 | 220 |
|Date of game: 8/9/2012
Recap: Chicago vs. Denver
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Peyton Manning played in a football game for the first time in 19 months, but in a different uniform than fans are used to seeing.
After spending the entire 2011 season on the sidelines recovering from multiple neck surgeries, Manning saw his 14-year run with the Indianapolis Colts come to an end and he signed with the Denver Broncos.
He wasn't very sharp in his one and only drive, which ended with an interception, but the rest of his squad carried the load as Denver took a 31-3 win over Chicago in the preseason opener for both teams.
Xavier Omon and Lance Ball each had a score on the ground while Jason Hill and Cornelius Ingram each caught one for the Broncos, who went 8-8 last season to win the AFC West and lost to New England in the playoffs after beating Pittsburgh.
Chicago starting quarterback Jay Cutler did not appear in the game. He missed the final six games of last season after fracturing his right thumb. That sent the Bears into a spiral, as they lost their next five games before winning the season finale to finish the season 8-8.
Jason Campbell started the game under center for Chicago and played three series, going just 4-for-5 for 13 yards.
Manning's first pass was dropped by Jacob Tamme, but Willis McGahee followed with an 11-yard run. Manning's next pass was caught by Tamme after it was deflected and he took it 12 yards. After a three-yard run from McGahee, Manning found Eric Decker down the left sideline for 10 yards. After McGahee was stopped for no gain, a holding call pushed the Broncos back 10 yards, but it didn't faze Manning as he hit Decker over the middle on 3rd-and-17 for 19 yards to move the chains and get into the red zone.
Following a two-yard run from McGahee and an incompletion, Denver faced 3rd- and-8 and Manning's pass was deflected and Major Wright came down with it for the interception.
"I think the key to the preseason is how you evaluate and how you evaluate yourself and how you improve throughout the preseason," said Manning. "It doesn't matter what year you are in the NFL, the key to the preseason is to improve."
Denver got on the board on its next touch thanks to a Matt Prater 28-yard score and Ball scored on a two-yard run to cap a seven-play, 57-yard drive in the second quarter to give the team a 10-0 edge at the half.
A three-yard score from Omon and Hill's 19-yard catch from Brock Osweiler in the third quarter pushed the Broncos' lead to 24-0.
Robbie Gould hit a 47-yard field goal in the fourth to get Chicago on the board while Ingram caught a 25-yard score from Adam Weber later in the frame to cap the scoring.Game Notes | http://www.woai.com/sports/nfl/l.nfl.com-2012-e.4104/game.aspx | 626 |
But over the next three minutes, the Orange committed four turnovers, including three by senior guard Brandon Triche. Syracuse committed 16 turnovers against Louisville's press and match-up zone defense, and the Cardinals scored 16 points off those turnovers.
"I thought we did an unbelievable job, down seven, to get back in the lead and we made four turnovers after that," Orange coach Jim Boeheim said. "That's not something we've done this year.
"You just can't make those mistakes in these kind of games, a tournament-type game. It's not something we've done this year, but we did it today."
In its three-game losing streak (Georgetown, Marquette and Louisville), Syracuse has had a chance to win down the stretch but let each game slip away.
"We've just got to finish games," Triche said. "A lot of it's on me. We have to take care of the ball and make all the right plays. We were doing that earlier, that's why we were winning close games. But now we're not."
The Cardinals led, 23-19, at the half. Trailing, 7-3, Louisville went on a 9-0 run to take a 12-7 lead and the Cardinals never trailed again the rest of the half.
Gorgui Dieng, who finished with 14 rebounds and 11 points, scored four points in that 9-0 spurt.
Twice in the first half the Orange sliced its deficit to one. But Smith's three-point play and Chane Behanan's basket boosted Louisville's lead to 23-17 late in the half.
Fair led the Orange with 10 points in the first half as he reached double figures for the 19th consecutive game. Syracuse shot only 27 percent in the first half (9-for-33, including 1-for-8 from 3-point range) and 36 percent (20-for-56) for the game.
NOTES: The series now stands at 14-7 in favor of the Cardinals. ... Peyton Siva of Louisville recorded one steal Saturday and has 222 in his career. He needs seven to break Darrell Griffith's school record. ... With his 136th career start Saturday, Syracuse's Brandon Triche moved past Gerry McNamara and into third place on the Orange's all-time list. ... A monster dunk by Chane Behanan of Louisville over DePaul's Worrel Clahar on Wednesday ranked No. 5 on ESPN's top plays for February. ... When Syracuse defeated the Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on Feb. 19, it was the first time a No. 1-ranked team had lost at home since Connecticut lost to Pittsburgh on Feb. 16, 2009. ... Saturday's coaches have combined for 1,542 victories (Syracuse's Jim Boeheim at 912, Louisville's Rick Pitino at 630). Pitino was an assistant on Boeheim's first coaching staff in 1976-77. | http://www.wpbf.com/news/sports/Louisville-gets-payback-at-Syracuse/-/8789130/19152562/-/item/2/-/qok5ku/-/index.html | 614 |
The German declared himself happy with his driving, but acknowledged the hazardous mix of ice and asphalt had kept things interesting at the wheel. “Everything’s okay, but we’ve had a lot of small but big moments!” he said.
Behind him, there were no changes to the top three. Armin Kremer holds second in a Group N specification Subaru Impreza, but said he struggled to control the car under braking on the numerous icy sections.
Ukrainian driver Yuriy Protosov, also in an Impreza, is 1m28sec further back in third. “There’s been a lot of ice,’ he said. “The surface changes from asphalt to ice all the time and it’s hard to find the grip.
Rashid Al Ketbi (Skoda Fabia S2000) is a distant fourth, 13 minutes behind Protosov, with Ricardo Trivino (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) five minutes further back. Lorenzo Bertelli (Subaru Impreza) completes the remaining WRC 2 runners. | http://www.wrc.com/news/wrc-2-thursday-midpoint-update/?fid=18208 | 234 |
Thursday, April 5, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Masters is underway. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player all hit their ceremonial first tee shots Thursday morning to mark the beginning of the year's first major.
Palmer, the four-time champion, started the proceedings by striping his shot squarely down the center of the fairway. Then Player, making his debut as a ceremonial starter, flew his along the same line, about 40 yards past The King. Nicklaus also hit the fairway.
Three-time champion Phil Mickelson, wearing his green jacket, was there for the start even though he has the day's last tee time, at 1:53 p.m.
Craig Stadler, the 1982 champion, was among those in the first competitive threesome.
Tiger Woods had a 10:35 a.m. tee time and Rory McIlroy was set to go off at 1:42 p.m.
(Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.) | http://www.wrdw.com/sports/masters/home/headlines/Nicklaus_Player_Palmer_get_Masters_underway_146302205.html?site=full | 211 |
The Latest 'Midcard Mafia' Video, FCW/WWE Talents
-- As noted before, WWE officials are very high on FCW star Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley), who is currently on the road with the main roster. Ambrose is viewed as the best talent in FCW as far as all-around potential goes.
Ambrose and Seth Rollins (Tyler Black) are seen as being much better than the rest of the FCW roster and have changed some WWE officials' perceptions on guys that come from the independents.
-- Below is episode 3 of The Midcard Mafia from WWE Superstar Tyler Reks: | http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2011/1218/547722/ | 128 |
Various News: WrestleReunion Events, Colt Cabana Video
-- WrestleReunion takes place January 27th, 28th and 29th this year at the Westin LAX. Here are the latest updates on the eventů
On January 27th: For VIP ticket holders: Q&A Sessions with Mick Foley and the New Age Outlaws, a presentation on the history of wrestling in Los Angeles and a live event presented by ArenaChicks Dragon Gate USA will also be holding a card that night, which will also be available on iPPV, with the following card announcedů
* BxB Hulk vs. Sami Callihan.
* The Young Bucks & AR Fox vs. Ronin: DGUSA champ Johnny Gargano, Chuck Taylor & Rich Swann.
* Open The United Gate champions CIMA & Ricochet vs. Masaaki Mochizuki & Jimmy Susumu (Yokosuka)
* PAC vs. Akira Tozawa
* Masato Yoshino vs. Naruki Do
On January 28th: Pro Wrestling Superstars presents a card on Saturday. Tickets purchased for the first three rows will include a meet and greet with talent on the card as well as a autograph/photo op with Mexican mini star Mascarita Sagrada.
* The Young Bucks vs. El Generico & The Great Sasuke in a dream tag match.
* The first-ever Tommy Dreamer vs. Kevin Steen meeting in a Los Angeles Street Fight with No DQ or Countouts.
* Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri, reuniting for the first time in nearly a decade, vs. Cedrick Alexander and Caleb Konley.
* Dave Finlay vs. Colt Cabana in a 5 Rounds World of Sport European rules bout.
* The Steiners vs. The New Age Outlaws with Mick Foley as the special guest referee.
* Christopher Daniels vs. The Manscout Jake Manning.
* WrestleReunion's annual Legends Battle Royal.
* Also confirmed as appearing include Maryse, former WCW World champion Vader, ROH champion Davey Richards, Kevin Sullivan, Carlos Colon, "The Godfather" Charles Wright, former ECW World champ Mikey Whipwreck, Molly Holly, Roderick Strong, Harry Smith, Kevin Von Erich, and Nitro Girl Spice.
On January 29th: Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's third annual Kurt Russell Reunion
* "Never-In-Your-Wildest-Dreams Match II" - Super Dragon & Kevin Steen, & Akira Tozawa vs. El Generico & PAC & Masato Yoshino.
* Blood Warriors (CIMA & Ricochet) vs. RockNES Monsters (Johnny Goodtime & Johnny Yuma)
* Masaaki Mochizuki vs. Roderick Strong
* The American Wolves (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
* Naruki Doi vs. Willie Mack
* BxB Hulk vs. Jimmy Susumu (formerly Susumu Yokosuka)
* Mascarita Dorada in action.
- Vendor guests coming in who will be signing for a nominal fee include Superstar Graham, Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, Leaping Lanny Poffo, Larry Zbyszko, Supreme, Messiah, Rosita, Dave Finlay, Kris Kloss, Fifi The Maid, Miss Tessmacher, Shelly Martinez, Amber O'Neal, Angel Orsini, Konnan, Tori, Chavo Guerrero, Tajiri, Raven, Robbie E. and Virgil.
Here is the latest edition of "Creative Has Nothing For You" featuring Colt Cabana: | http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2012/0110/548458/ | 776 |
Impact Wrestling Results – 5/24/2012
From Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida
Report by: Alex Barie of WrestlingNewsWorld.com
Impact Wrestling kicks off with a video package revolving around AJ Styles/Kazarian/Daniels storyline. It then recaps Mr. Parks and Abyss along with Bully Ray. This rivalry is becoming a real good one. A different video type ends.
Another video plays with a setting taking place in Hulk Hogan’s room. He has Bully Ray, AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Hardy in there. Hogan talks about tonight’s show. He talks about Open Fight Night and how it is going to be different than what he thought of. Hogan shows the stars a number of papers that show the whole line-up for tonight’s show. Hogan goes on to talk about Roode and how he is going to put his title on the line. Hogan says this is a big deal as Roode is going to be the longest reigning World Champion. Kurt doesn’t see that it’s a big deal but AJ does. They start to argue and Ray interferes to bring his input in. Hogan says this show is going to change. It’s going to be different than what it has always been. Kurt states that he should be fighting Roode because he won the most world titles than anyone else in there. Ray says, “Singles titles.” Ray says Hogan is the best of the best in the wrestling business, but he doesn’t understand why he has to convince Hogan for him to get a title show, unlike what Kurt did. Ray says he can take everyone over in this room. Ray says he can intimate Hogan if he wanted, but he respects Hogan. Hogan asks Kurt if he thinks Ray is intimidating. He doesn’t think so. Ray yells back and says Kurt knows that and he is lying. AJ convinces Hogan why he wants to fight Roode. He doesn’t want Roode to be the longest reigning champion in history. He wants to stop him. Kurt says he beat AJ last week, so he should fight him. Ray steps in and sees Jeff Hardy just sitting there. He calls out Jeff. Jeff says the fans should decide. Kurt turns that down as everyone will pick Jeff because he is the most popular. Jeff says Kurt’s son even likes him. Hogan says Roode needs to be stopped. He his a genius as he is taking over this company. He goes on to eliminate Bully Ray from this competition because Ray never won a World Title. Ray can’t believe it. He then says, “Eric was right about you.” Ray turns and walks out. Hogan feels good about the decision though.
The video ends and the show’s entrance video plays. It then promotes tonight’s Open Fight Night. The video ends and the camera shows the Impact Zone. The crowd is on their feet as they want to be seen on television. Mike Tenay and Taz introduce themselves and the show. Music begins to play. It’s Gail Kim. She walks to the ring along with Madison Rayne. Both get in the ring, but Rayne is dragging behind. Gail gets on the mic. She says it is great to be herself. She is the Knockout’s Champion and she is the most dominate Knockout in this company’s history. That is 10 years, people. The camera switches backstage to show stars watching Gail on television. Gail reveals that there is a blemish on her career right now. That is the Knockout Tag Team Titles as they are behind held by a man and some animal. Gail goes to call out Mr. and Mrs. ODB. Before she does, she gets Madison’s attention as she was too busy improving her looks. Music plays and here comes Eric and ODB. They have the TNA Knockout Tag Titles around their waist. They make their way to the ring.
Gail Kim and Madison Rayne vs. Eric Young and ODB
Eric and Gail start the match. Eric looks at the crowd and points to Gail. He applies a smile on his face as the crowd cheers. They move forward and Gail grabs Eric’s arm and works on it. He reverses it and works on Gail’s arm. Eric moves in and applies a headlock. Gail gets out of it and gets behind Eric. He grabs him by the waist and tries to pick him up. He turns and grabs her from behind. He picks her up as she is screaming and drops her on her butt. Eric goes over and tags ODB. ODB enters and she takes care of Gail Kim. She knocks Gail out and then knocks Madison off the apron. Eric enters and goes around the ring with ODB.
Gail and ODB fight it out as Gail bounces off the ropes and closelines ODB. She covers but ODB kicks out. A short clip is shown of what happened during the commercial break. It shows how Gail and Madison turned the momentum. Madison is tagged in now and she attacks ODB. She makes ODB bend over and Madison bounces off the ropes. She kicks ODB right in the head. She covers but ODB kicks out at 2. Madison goes over and tags Gail. Both are in and double team ODB. They double whip her in the corner. Madison runs and smashes her. Madison goes to the apron while ODB runs back and closelines Gail. Both are down. Both move and tag their partners. Eric and Madison meet each other. Eric was about to attack but he stops as she sees it’s a female. Madison follows Eric around the ring and hits him. Eric has enough and pulls down his pants. He does hip tosses and then a body slam. Eric turns to ODB and she yells at him to put his pants on. He tags her. ODB comes in and Gail tags Madison as she rolled to the corner. They fight. ODB goes after Gail. Gail tries to come back with a cross body, but ODB catches her. She goes for the fallaway slam, but Madison pulls the legs out from under ODB. ODB falls and Gail is on top of her. Eric goes to a different corner and climbs it to pose. The referee goes over and counts the pin. While the pin, Madison holds ODB’s legs. It’s 1-2-3. Winners: Gail Kim and Madison Rayne
Bobby Roode is walking backstage. He slowly goes through a door as he fights later tonight.
Hulk Hogan is in his office. The camera is on the other side of a window. Hulk is on the phone. He talks about making his first cut and says it was tough, aka Bully Ray. He then asks if he was coming. The person is. Hogan says he can’t wait. Hogan hangs up.
RVD’s music plays. He comes out and the crowd is pumped. He makes his way to the ring. He grabs a mic as he is in the ring. He says he has some unfinished business to settle first before he goes to fight for the World Title as he wants the fans to have an honorable champion. The camera shows backstage where all of the stars are standing. RVD calls out Gunner. He makes his way through the curtain. Gunner comes out. As he does, pictures are shown of how Gunner took RVD out back in January.
Rob Van Dam vs. Gunner
Gunner is about to get in the ring, but Rob knocks him down. He falls down outside. Rob gets up in the ring and goes outside as the bell rings. Gunner comes back as he hits Rob and rolls him back in the ring. He then grabs a chair and tosses it in. Gunner enters and Rob gets up. He knocks Gunner down with a kick. He does rolling thunder. Rob has control. Both get up and Gunner is whipped into the corner. Rob comes and goes for a roundhouse kick, but Gunner ducked and pulls Rob back to slam his head on the mat. Gunner continues the assault. Rob comes back as he brings Gunner into a corner. Rob jumps and does a spinning heel kick to Gunner. Both are down. Both get up and Rob grabs the chair. He throws it to Gunner and then kicks it right in the face. Gunner falls. Rob climbs the corner. He jumps all the way to the other side of the ring for one huge Five Star Frog Splash. He gets the pin. Winner: Rob Van Dam
The show returns and Devon is on the ring apron as his music plays. He gets in the ring and has a mic. Devon states that Hogan stated a month ago that the Television Title will be up for grabs every week. Devon will try to fulfill that statement. But, last week, there was a Battle Royal to determine who might fight for the World Title. Well, in that match, Garett Bischoff eliminated Devon. Devon calls him out as he wants to even the score. Garett is shown backstage. His music plays and Garett comes out. He gets in the ring.
Garett Bischoff vs. Devon (Champ) for the Television Title
Both join hands before the bell rings. Once it does ring, both move around the ring. They lock-up and Devon grabs the arm of Garett and then applies a headlock. He takes Garett over his body to the mat. Garett gets up and pushes Devon in the ropes. Devon comes back and knocks Garett down. He gets up. They walk around the ring and lock-up again. Garett grabs Devon’s arm and goes behind him. He then applies a side headlock. Devon gets out and grabs Garett’s arm and does a headlock. Garett gets out and does a swinging neck breaker as Devon was bent over. Both get up. The crowd chants, “We Want Tables!” Good times! Devon and Garett lock-up and Devon applies a submission to Garett, but as it was locked, Robbie E and Robbie T enter. They attack Devon. Garett is down from the hold. They continue to attack Devon. Garett finally gets up and he helps Devon out. They both work on the double Robbies. Devon and Garett eliminate one each of the Robbies out of the ring. Devon and Garett are side by side. No Contest
The camera is back in Hogan’s office. AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Hardy are in there. It seems like it’s a video again, but that is not the point. Hogan says AJ knows Roode the best. He goes to say that he was worried about Kurt with the Olympic training with the dieting and the injuries. He knows Kurt can fight, but he just doesn’t know how he actually is. He says the crowd loves Jeff. Kurt steps in and says he can pick Kurt because of the fans and he can pick AJ with his ability or he can pick Kurt because he can get the job done. Hogan eliminates Jeff Hardy because he is too shaky with his win and loss record. Jeff leaves the office. Kurt wants an answer right now because they have to get ready and can’t wait all night. Hogan says he will announce who Roode will face later on in the ring. AJ and Kurt leave, but as Kurt leaves, he states to Hogan that he can get the job done. Hogan knows that. He needs some time to think.
A video plays recapping the entire Mr. Parks/Bully Ray/Abyss story. It shows Mr. Parks investigation. He is going after Bully Ray while Abyss comes back and states that his brother, Mr. Parks, is getting too close to the fire. He needs to back off. Mr. Parks thinks the fire is Bully Ray. The video ends and Ray’s music plays. He slowly walks down the ramp. Mike and Taz state that Ray is livid right now. He is not happy at all (There are numerous reasons why). Ray walks around the ring and mocks some of the fans. Ray gets in the ring. He grabs a mic. He starts off by saying, “Do you know who I am?” The crowd boos. He asks the question again. They boo louder. Ray says Hogan does not know who he is as he decided to eliminate Ray first. Ray is in a very bad mood! If he is in a bad mood, he takes it out on every fan. They don’t think he will get out of the ring and smack all of the fans in the face. Then, someone walks up to him and tells Ray that Mr. Parks is in the crowd tonight. He looks around for him. He finds him. He finds him. He says he is sick and tired of Parks. He is tired of him being in the crowd and around the building. He calls Mr. Parks to the ring. Parks is shocked. He stands up and puts down his popcorn. He makes his way to the steel guard rail. He goes through it and walks up the steps. Ray keeps edging him on. Parks walks down the steps and asks for a mic. He gets one. He says he is not a fighter or a wrestler. He has never been in a fight. Parks is a little intimidated. He wants some space. He tells Ray that. Ray, surprisingly, backs up. Parks makes his way in the ring. The only thing Parks wanted was to find out where his brother was. All of the facts that Ray gathered, it led him right to Ray each time. Over the years, Parks represented a lot of defendants. Some were guilty and not guilty. He has the skill to look into the eye and find out who is guilty and not. The crowd chants, “Guilty!” Luckily for Ray, Bully can have a fair and speedy trial in front of his peers. That is in the United States Constitution. The fans are his peers! In the disappearance of Abyss, he asks the fans if they think he is not guilty. He then asks if they think he is guilty and the fans scream. Just then, Ray kicks Parks right in the gut. Parks falls instantly. Ray slowly walks over and grabs his chain. He yanks it back and whips it over the back of Parks who is on his hands and knees. He falls flat on the mat. Ray gets close to Parks’s face, gets on the mic, and says, “Not guilty!” Ray gets up and walks away as his music plays.
A video plays showcasing Joey Ryan who is decked out with big sunglasses and a bandana wrapped around his head. He will be the one fighting in the Gut Check Challenge tonight. He talks about where he was when he got the call from TNA. He was at Disney. Joey talks about how he got into the business. He always had an interest in wrestling and that will never leave him.
Jeremy Borash is in the ring. He talks about Gut Check as it is where they give some independent wrestler a chance to fight on national television and in front of a good crowd. He turns and asks Joey Ryan if he is ready. He is. Ryan shakes the hand of Al Snow. Music plays and here comes Austin Aries. The X-Divison Champion enters the ring.
Joey Ryan vs. Austin Aries in the Gut Check Challenge
Both move around the ring and they lock-up. Joey quickly takes Austin over. Both get up and Joey leans against the corner. They move forward and lock-up. Austin takes Ryan over and then does a drop toe hold. Austin gets up and lays on top of the corner. He comes down and gets in the face of Ryan. Ryan spits in the face of Austin. Austin doesn’t like that. He attacks Joey as he knocks him out of the ring. He goes out of the ring and continues the attack. He brings Joey back in. Austin climbs the corner. Joey bounces off the ropes and Austin falls down on the corner and rolls forward. Joey gets him up, but Austin grabs the chest hair of Joey and pulls. Joey screams. He pulls Austin away and punishes him. He knocks Austin down and covers but Austin kicks out. Both get up and Austin comes back. Both run into the ropes and Austin spins for a closeline. Both get up and Joey goes to the apron. Austin goes to him, but Joey jumps up over Austin and does a sunset flip pin, but Austin rolls through and hits a low dropkick. Both get up and Joey whips Austin in the corner. He comes out and Joey goes for a pump handle slam, but changes it up. He takes down Austin. Joey gets Austin up, but Austin is able to come back with a belly to belly type suplex. Joey hits the corner from that move. Joey slowly gets up. He is in the corner. Austin runs to him and does a flying dropkick in the corner. He then lifts Joey up and drops him down right on his head. Austin covers and wins. Winner: Austin Aries
We will find out if Joey Ryan will make the cut next week.
A video plays hyping up the upcoming Slammiversary PPV. It is #6 of the greatest moments in TNA history. This was the match between Hogan and Sting. Garett Bischoff is the referee. Sting wins. Immortal enters and takes out Sting. Hulk Hogan turns to the American hero and takes Immortal out. What a Bound for Glory moment!
The camera is shown of the Impact Zone as the lights dim. Music plays and Jeremy Borash introduces the TNA World Champion, Bobby Roode. Roode comes out and stands on top of the stage. The crowd boos. Roode slowly walks down the ramp and gets in the ring as the title is around his waist. After him, AJ Styles’ music is heard. He comes through the sparks that come down from above. He makes his way to the ring as the crowd cheers. After him, Kurt Angle’s music starts. Kurt comes up from under the ramp. He raises his arms and fireworks explode in the air. He makes his way down the ramp as the crowd cheers. He gets in the ring. All three are in the ring, but only two will fight. With that being said, Hulk Hogan comes out as he hears his music. He does his ear cup pose and fireworks explode at his side. He stands on top of the stage with a mic in hand. He says it has been an intense show. He says he thought it was a tough decision on who to pick now, but really he knows these two are great stars. Kurt has so much experience and so much stuff under his belt while AJ has been here in TNA and has the longest title reign now. He picks AJ because AJ has a great track record with the champion. Kurt is mad, but he walks out of the ring.
AJ Styles vs. Bobby Roode (Champ) for the TNA World Title
The bell sounds and both move around the ring quickly. They lock-up with AJ applying headlock. Roode pushes AJ into the ropes. AJ comes back and shoulder blocks Roode down. Roode rolls out of the ring. He walks around and then slowly gets in the ring. Roode lifts his arm for a strength test. He then lifts is other arm as AJ was about to grab the other. Roode kicks AJ in the gut on a cheap shot and puts him in the corner. He brings him out and AJ whips Roode in the ropes. Roode holds onto the ropes as AJ was about to hit him. Roode moves forward, but AJ hits a dropkick. Roode is down and rolls out of the ring again. He has to regroup.
AJ whips Roode in the corner. AJ runs, jumps, and smashes Roode in it. Roode falls. AJ gets him up and whips him in the corner. AJ runs to him, but Roode elbows him in the chest and head. He grabs AJ and throws him right into the steel post, shoulder first. AJ falls out of the ring. Roode follows and rams AJ arm first into the steel post. He rolls him in the ring and pins him. AJ kicks out at 2. Roode continues to attack the arm as he steps on it and then wraps it around the ropes. He breaks it at the referee’s count. He gets AJ up and twists the arm around and then drops it down on the mat. He covers but AJ kicks out. Roode grabs it and wrenches it behind the head of AJ. He stops and then steps on the arm. He steps on it again. AJ is in severe pain. Roode takes AJ over and wrenches the arm back again as AJ sits on the mat. Roode is kneeling right behind him. The crowd is chanting for AJ to come back. AJ gets up and is able to punch Roode right in the head. He does it multiple times. He goes to whip him, but Roode reverses and hits the arm of AJ. AJ leans against the ropes. Roode turns away. He turns back and goes to AJ, but AJ gives him a back body drop over the ropes. Roode lands on the outside. He gets up and AJ flies over the ropes. He hits a great flying cross body. AJ gets up and gets Roode and smashes his head into the steel steps. AJ backs away. Roode gets up. AJ turns and runs. Roode does a hiptoss and AJ lands back first on the steel steps. Roode brings AJ in and covers him. AJ kicks out.
Roode continues the attack. There is a split screen as a camera shows Hulk Hogan in the back watching this match. Someone walks up to him and tells Hogan that his guest arrived. A huge smile appears on his face.
The show returns and Roode has AJ up on his shoulders. He drops him down for a suplex. Roode gets up. He backs up. He moves forward and drops his knee on AJ’s face. He covers but AJ kicks out. Roode continues with knees to the back and wrenches AJ’s head back. A submission hold is in effect. AJ slowly gets up. Roode grabs both of AJ’s arms and pulls them back. AJ uses his strength and breaks out of it. He punches Roode and that makes him back up to the corner. AJ goes to him, but Roode lifts him up and puts him on the apron. AJ fights back and goes for a springboard but Roode pushes him and AJ lands gut first on the ropes. Roode backs up for a breather. He turns and AJ jumps on the top rope and does a springboard elbow smash. He covers Roode but Roode kicks out. It was close. Both get up. Roode comes back as he grabs AJ and places him on the top rope. Roode climbs the corner and goes for a superplex, but he hits Roode in the gut and Roode falls. Roode gets up and AJ flies for a missile dropkick. He covers but it’s a 2 count. Both get up and Roode takes control as he kicks AJ in the gut and goes for the fisherman suplex. AJ counters and goes for the Styles Clash, but Roode gets out of it. AJ pushes Roode in the corner. AJ runs to him but Roode moves out of the way. AJ moves back. Roode runs and spears him. Both get up and AJ comes back. He drops Roode down and locks Roode’s leg and then arches his body back to grab Roode’s head to wrench it back. It’s a great submission. Roode crawls and gets the ropes.
AJ gets up and stomps on Roode. Roode gets up and AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but Roode gets out. Roode is able to grab AJ for a spine buster. He gets him up and hits the fisherman suplex. He covers but AJ kicks out. He gets AJ up and goes for the fisherman suplex again, but AJ moves out and hits the pele. Roode falls. AJ slowly makes it to the ropes. He is on the apron. He jumps on the ropes, before he looks around him. He does a 450 Splash, but Roode puts his knees up. Roode grabs AJ for a covers and he gets it. Winner and Still TNA World Champ: Bobby Roode
Daniels and Kazarian come down the ramp. They stand halfway down as they mock AJ. He lost this match. He looks up and sees them. They continue to mock. Roode gets on the mic. He says he is officially the longest reigning champion in TNA history. He asks for his champaign. He grabs it and then asks for another glass. He says he wants Hulk Hogan to celebrate with his champion. Roode pours the wine into the glasses as he waits for Hogan.
Hogan did not come out. Roode says that is fine as he will celebrate himself. He wants the confetti to fall. Roode’s music plays and here comes the confetti. It falls and falls and falls. It’s a huge party and moment. Roode dances around the ring with his wine and title. Just then, Hogan’s music hits. Here comes the General Manager. Hogan claps as he is on the stage. He makes his way down the ramp. Roode starts making confetti angels in the ring. Hogan says that he is impressed. The music stops. Hogan states that he had the decked stacked against Roode. He knew Roode was good, but didn’t know how good. Roode gives Hogan the glass of wine while Roode takes the bottle. They meet glass to glass and both drink. Hogan says he is glad that Roode called him out. Roode did something that Hogan never thought would happen. Roode has Hogan’s respect now, but there are still challenges. The hard work has just begun. There is someone else who wants to celebrate. Roode doesn’t want anyone else. Hogan tells the person to come out. Just then, the lights are out. The come back and music plays….Sting’s music! Sting is right behind Roode. Roode turns and Sting chops Roode in the chest and then whips him in the corner. He does a Stinger Splash. Roode goes out of the ring from Sting. Roode slowly crawls his way up the ramp. Hogan states that it is, “Showtime.” Hogan says that next week is the start of the 8pm timeslot and the start of the the live show! Next week will be the time where Roode can’t run from Sting. There will be lumberjacks all around the ring as Roode will face Sting. NO way to run! Sting’s music plays as both look on. The show fades.
Top 5 Rankings:
1. Bobby Roode- New from last week
2. AJ Styles- Same as last week
3. Austin Aries- New from last week
4. Bully Ray- Same from last week
5. Sting- New from last week
There are so many things to talk about for this episode of Impact Wrestling! First of all, it was Open Fight Night. I enjoyed the first installment of that, but that was a bit confusing. This one was a lot less confusing and way more enjoyable. I recommend TNA to tell which title will be up for grabs the week before and do an elimination style treatment on O.F.N. like they did tonight. The opening segment is the reason for that. The opening segment was loved by many and hated by few, as it seemed. The segment had everything set to a style of music that made it interesting and intense. You could cut the tension. Not only that, it seemed real. That is what I love. It was a great opener. Not only that, the entire show was great. I have to admit, there are some things I don’t like on Impact Wrestling at times, but I don’t see many of those flaws at all on this show. We did not have unnecessary segments or promos. It was all about action from open challenges to the Gut Check. Speaking of that, Joey Ryan seemed like a good fit for I.W. No matter who it is, Austin Aries can put on a great match. Besides that, we saw one amazing match that deserves to be watched again and that is AJ Styles vs. Bobby Roode. These two are great. It was a lengthly match, which everyone enjoys, and it was a back and forth battle. I love seeing these kinds of matches. I wouldn’t mind seeing Kurt as we know that would have been great too, but it was nice seeing AJ getting a really nice match under his belt. While he has his storyline with Daniels/Kazarian, the storyline of Mr. Parks and Bully Ray is heating up. Everyone criticized this story at the beginning, but I told everyone to let it run its course. You can’t tell a story in a week or two. It needs to last. Now that it is going, it is going strong and people are liking. It’s nice seeing Bully Ray in an actual story. He brings a lot to the table in it. The show doesn’t have Eric Bischoff on anymore, and maybe Ric Flair soon, but they brought someone else back: Sting! Sting returned! It doesn’t seem like he was gone too long, but time flies! It is nice seeing him back. They had to bring him back to draw for the HUGE show next week. I am not sure where they will go (Which is god as it = unpredictable). Next week’s show is the biggest show of 2012, without a doubt! Don’t miss it! I will be here an hour earlier! Let the good times roll! If you want to hear more from me, follow me on Twitter (link below in my bio) and check out my personal blog (link below in my bio). | http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/impact-wrestlingresults-5-24-2012/ | 6,454 |
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