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Andrew Hore banned for five weeks
New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore was banned for five weeks - but just two competitive matches - for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies.
- Related Content
Hore's suspension rules him out of Saturday's Test against England and it includes the first game of the Highlanders' 2013 Super Rugby season, against the Chiefs on February 22.
But judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar has come under fire for including three pre-season matches in the ban after being convinced they "all had significant and meaningful consequences" for Hore.
Davies was knocked unconscious after he was hit from behind by Hore's swinging arm, just 30 seconds into the All Blacks' 33-10 win at the Millennium Stadium.
Professor Lorne Crerar deemed the incident to be "inherantly dangerous" and a top-end offence but he accepted Hore had not intended to strike Davies in the head.
Hore was initially hit with an eight-week ban but that was reduced to five when Professor Crerar took into account a number of mitigating factors, including his daily contact with Davies.
Hore told the New Zealand Herald: "I want to say how bad I feel and how embarrassed I am to be in this situation.
"It is not the All Black way and I have let myself down and the team and probably the whole country is pretty proud of what we do.
"I hope Bradley Davies does recover and get back up and running and play in the Heineken Cup as soon as he can.
"I have been on the phone and talked to him on Sunday about the incident and obviously the All Black management and the leader group that I am a part of has been pretty stern on me for getting us into this situation and I have to take what I have got and go back and start building a reputation as a good, clean, hard footy player and hopefully I can do that in the next Super Rugby competition when I get back playing."
But Professor Crerar has come under fire for counting the Highlanders' three pre-season fixtures as part of the final suspension.
The disciplinary statement said: "The judicial officer heard submissions in detail as to when the suspension should end given that the player was entering the close season.
"The judicial officer received unreserved assurances from Ian Foster, assistant coach, New Zealand, the player and his legal representative that the pre-season matches to be played by the Highlanders during the weekends of 1st, 8th and 15th February all had significant and meaningful consequences for the player.
"The player is accordingly suspended up to and including Sunday 24 February 2013 and has the right of appeal."
Hore's king hit, which was not seen by referee Craig Joubert or his assistants, left Davies with concussion that has ruled him and out of Wales' final autumn Test against Australia.
Professor Crerar ruled the swinging-arm offence was unprovoked and "inherently dangerous being a deliberate swinging of the arm delivered with significant force, causing serious injury to the victim player, Bradley Davies, who was unsighted".
But Hore was cleared of deliberately targeting Davies' head and the judgement found there were no aggravating factors.
The statement read: "In categorising the seriousness of the offence the judicial officer held that it was worthy of a top end entry point under the IRB's sanctions table, and that the entry point should be eight weeks.
"The judicial officer held that there were no aggravating factors.
"The judicial officer acknowledged the mitigating factors of acceptance of guilt by the player, his genuine remorse, as evidenced by his daily contact with the injured player, his exemplary disciplinary record, and his conduct throughout the hearing and imposed a suspension of five weeks."
With Hore out of the Twickenham clash with England, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen may have to award Dane Coles his first Test start if veteran hooker Keven Mealamu fails to recover from a calf injury. | http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-union/news/article/2/8292107/andrew-hore-banned-for-five-weeks | 815 |
Host City: Vancouver, Canada
Venue(s): Whistler Creekside, Whistler
Date Started: February 19, 2010
Date Finished: February 19, 2010
|Gold:||Aksel Lund Svindal|
The fourth Alpine skiing race of the Vancouver Olympics was held on Friday, 19 February, as scheduled. The favorites were Michael Walchhofer (leader of the current Super G World Cup), Aksel Lund Svindal (second in the 2009-10 Super G World Cup, winner of the 2008-09 Super G World Cup, and bronze medalist at the 2009 World Championships), Didier Cuche (2009 World Champion and winner at Kitzbühel in 2010), and Manuel Osborne-Paradis (recent winner at Lake Louise). But Didier Défago and Bode Miller were also highly considered after winning gold and bronze in the downhill four days earlier. The 2006 medalists Kjetil André Aamodt (gold) retired shortly after Torino, Hermann Maier (silver) retired just before the 2009-10 season, and Ambrosi Hoffmann (bronze) raced only in the downhill in 2010. The only World Cup Super G held on this course was won by Christoph Gruber on 21 February 2008.
The race started at 11:30 AM with perfect sunny weather and temperatures between 3.5° (start) and 9° (finish). With number 3 the American Andrew Weibrecht set an early quick time. The first of the favorites was Miller in start position 11. He took the lead from the first split to the finish, but he lost time in the second part of the course, and topped the time of his fellow countryman by only 0.03 seconds. Svindal, who turned 28 on the closing day of the Vancouver Olympics, did not start well, as in the downhill, and at the first intermediate split was 0.3 seconds behind Miller, but he finished quickly to lead by 0.28 seconds at the finish line and take the gold medal. The oldest competitor in the field, Patrik Järbyn, hooked a gate and fell in the last section of the course and landed hard on his back and head and was unconscious. He was flown to hospital by helicopter, but luckily was not hurt badly and was able to leave the hospital the next day.
When Svindal came to the leaders area, Miller was laughing and joked with him with some profanity which was broadcast around the world. Svindal won the race with an average speed of 87.67 km/hr by 0.28 seconds or 6.8 metres in front of Miller. The sensation of the race was bronze medalist Weibrecht who had never previously placed better than 10th in a World Cup race. Svindal won the first gold medal for Atomic at this Olympics. Miller, on the same skis as in the downhill and the only one of the top racers on downhill skis, won silver with Head, while Weibrecht took bronze using Rossignol.
|1||Aksel Lund Svindal||27||Norway||NOR||Gold||1:30.34|
|2||Bode Miller||32||United States||USA||Silver||1:30.62|
|3||Andrew Weibrecht||24||United States||USA||Bronze||1:30.65|
|19||Ted Ligety||25||United States||USA||1:31.70|
|23||Marco Sullivan||29||United States||USA||1:32.09|
|31||Gauthier de Tessières||28||France||FRA||1:33.17|
|32||Ed Drake||24||Great Britain||GBR||1:33.20|
|34||Petr Záhrobský||29||Czech Republic||CZE||1:33.83|
|35||Paul de la Cuesta||21||Spain||ESP||1:34.03|
|38||Tim Cafe||22||New Zealand||NZL||1:35.55|
|39||Kevin Esteve Rigail||20||Andorra||AND||1:35.67|
|45||Stefán Jón Sigurgeirsson||20||Iceland||ISL||1:39.12|
|AC||Ben Griffin||23||New Zealand||NZL||DNF|
|AC||Truls Ove Karlsen||34||Norway||NOR||DNF|
|AC||Martin Vráblík||27||Czech Republic||CZE||DQ| | http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/winter/2010/ASK/mens-super-g.html | 983 |
Minnesota Trying To Close Stadium Funding Gap Record Profits Let Packers Focus On Football Minnesota Tax Plan For Vikings In Jeopardy Vikings Stadium Plan Features Glass-Like Roof Dolphins, Ross Spent $10M On Stadium Campaign Foot Locker Ad Stars Patriots' Amendola Browns Team With Legends For Retail Revamp Vikings Stadium Likely Without Retractable Roof Giants, Jets Leery Of Meadowlands Changes NFL Backs U.S. Rugby Effort
Upcoming Conferences and Events
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Published February 16, 1995
"Maybe I'll go try out for some team and become the Deion Sanders of replacement players." -- Steve Harris, an NFL replacement player for the Vikings in '87 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/16). | http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1995/02/16/Front-Page/QUOTE-OF-THE-DAY.aspx | 154 |
Development Proposed For TD Garden Front DePaul, Emanuel Unveil $173M Arena Minnesota Trying To Close Stadium Funding Gap Facility Notes DePaul Arena Proposal Part Of Tourism Plan IMS Has Lowest Seating Capacity Since '00 Cubs Want New Wrigley Field Gate Utah Athletic Facilities To Get Makeover Facility Notes Minnesota Tax Plan For Vikings In Jeopardy
Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBD/January 13, 2011/Facilities
Oregon Set To Play First Game At $227M Matthew Knight Arena
Published January 13, 2011
The Univ. of Oregon tonight will debut its "latest marketing gewgaw," the $227M Matthew Knight Arena, when the Ducks' men's basketball team hosts USC, according to Bud Withers of the SEATTLE TIMES. The arena includes "two practice courts; a weight room; a pool with an underwater treadmill; and a 36-foot-wide, three-stories-tall scoreboard." There are no suites, but there are two club areas including the Founders Club, which requires a $500,000 "minimum donation over five years." Seats in the arena, which holds 12,364 fans, "will be steeply pitched -- 36 degrees, sharpest allowed without rails." Ellerbe Becket designers indicated that the "trick was to make something unique but somehow capture the intimacy" that was in McArthur Court. Withers wrote if the 84-year-old McArthur Court "could talk, it probably would be dumbstruck at the amenities" in the new arena. The "most striking" feature may be the court, which features "brown-and-tan silhouettes of fir trees [in] homage both to the Tall Firs -- first NCAA champions in 1939 -- and the school's woodsy locale" (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/12). In Eugene, Ron Bellamy reports the arena "represents a state-of-the-art facility for the Oregon basketball programs, a venue for major concerts and other cultural events in the Eugene community, and a statement-making front door for the University of Oregon." UO Exec Senior Associate AD for Development Jim Bartko said, "Everybody's a little anxious, everybody's a little nervous, everybody's a little scared, everybody's a little excited. It's a big night for a lot of people who have put a lot of effort in this for a long time." Bellamy notes the facility will be the "most expensive arena in the Pac-10 Conference, and arguably the most expensive college arena in the nation" (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 1/13).
STORMING THE COURT: Gary Gray, Portable Sales Manager for Michigan-based Connor Sports Flooring, which built the court at Matthew Knight Arena, said, "Hands down, it's the most complex court anyone has ever done" (L.A. TIMES, 1/13). In S.F., Jake Curtis wrote the Matthew Knight Arena floor "might come to rival Boise State's blue turf as the most iconic playing surface in college sports" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/12). ESPN.com's Diamond Leung wrote under the header, "Matthew Knight Arena Floor Walks Fine Line." The halfcourt line is "apparently there, and the design is within NCAA rules, but it might take some time getting used to." Oregon coach Dana Altman said, "Hopefully, it doesn't confuse our players" (ESPN.com, 1/11).
DON'T BE LATE: The REGISTER-GUARD's Bellamy reported tonight's game is scheduled to start around 8:00pm PT, and the school is opening the doors two-and-a-half hours early "to give fans plenty of time to explore the new building, sample the food offerings and find their seats." Every fan "will receive a commemorative ticket and a T-shirt." A "special pregame" show, designed by Nike Creative Dir of Global Brand Presentation Mike Doherty, is scheduled to start at 7:40pm. Following a video presentation, there "will be introductions of the Knight family, and brief remarks" from Nike Chair Phil Knight (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 1/11). The ceremony will include a "full marching band and a fireworks-and-lights show." Oregon's Duck mascot is "supposed to make a splashy entry" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 1/12). | http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/01/Jan-13/Facilities/Knight-Arena.aspx | 923 |
English fans turn win into 'home' match: You will never see this much excitement in any other sport. To think this is just their first game of the Cup... What a party!
posted by zippinglou to football at 02:39 PM - 28 comments
Others thought the weather played a factor. "I put that down to the heat. We started well," said (England supporter) Dave Sempers, who watched the game on a TV screen outside a bar. "But we lagged a bit toward the end." Wimps.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 04:34 PM on June 10
Man, that giant tarantula on the pitch was really annoying. Whoever designed that stadium needs kicking in the nuts. I only watched the first half, but England were on cruise control. Kinda dull, actually.
posted by afx237vi at 05:07 PM on June 10
But T&T vs Sweden and Arg vs Ivory Coast were crackers. Even though the first was a 0-0. And the T&T fans looked a good bunch to have a party with.
posted by owlhouse at 08:32 PM on June 10
"You will never see this much excitement in any other sport." Do you think your being a little bit over zealous? lol
posted by panteeze at 08:40 PM on June 10
80 degrees is not hot at all. I imagine some of those stadiums might trap the heat a little bit, though.
posted by igottheblues at 11:52 PM on June 10
I really wish ABC would just rebroadcast the BBC or Sky coverage (whoever's got the UK rights) but superimpose the their own screen graphics (i.e., ads next to the score box). Four games I've watched so far and not one decent commentary or camera management.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:17 AM on June 11
TV coverage is on ITV and BBC, as the World Cup has protected status and has to be broadcast on terrestial tv over here. AFAIK the camera shots are under the control of German tv and will be the same for everyone worldwide. Certainly they aren't of the quality that we're used to in England where Sky has raised the benchmark in televising football. The temperature was reported to be 30c in the stadium during the game, which may not seem extreme but our players aren't used to it coming from somewhere that's invariably cool and wet. England's performance was under par, especially in the second half. However, it's the result that's imperative in the first game. Combined with Sweden's inability to beat 10-man T&T, things are looking good for England to progress into the knockout stages. In terms of the "partying", we were in the pub at 1pm (an hour before KO) and I was drunk enough to be in bed immediately after the Argentina/Ivory Coast game finished at 10pm. But then, I'm getting on a bit, and ain't the party animal I used to be.
posted by squealy at 04:15 AM on June 11
Ain't no party like an England party.
posted by squealy at 04:35 AM on June 11
But on the other hand.
posted by squealy at 04:42 AM on June 11
80 degrees is not hot at all. Maybe not, but the England camp report that their players lost between five and ten pounds per man during the 1-0 win and have requested that FIFA make water more available during games from now on.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 07:44 AM on June 11
England being so affected by the heat does not portend well for them if they have any hope to make it to the Final. In the quarters of the last World Cup, they started out so strongly against Brazil, but visibly wilted in the heat and barely made a showing in the second half, while Brazil was not bothered by it at all. I think that (and Beckham's unforgivable mistake at the touch line before the end of the first half that resulted in a goal for Brazil) were the differences in that England lost. I was really hoping they would have been more prepared for the heat. But... only the first game, maybe water will help. Or else, they need to pray for rain and overcast skies.
posted by psmealey at 08:07 AM on June 11
I really wish ABC would just rebroadcast the BBC or Sky coverage Amen to that, the American commentators are utterly abysmal. No insight whatsover and lots of yapping about totally distracting BS. Shep Messing is a moron ("PK! PK! PK!"... uh, they're called "Penalties" you rube!). You'd think he could offer a little inisght, but most of the time you'd you wish he would just shut up. Marcelo Balboa was marginally better, if he could offer some perspective having played more recently and at a higher level than NASL dinosaur Messing, but he was still terrible. By the time Julie Foudy inevitably steps up to the mic, I'll be ready to pull my hair out.
posted by psmealey at 08:17 AM on June 11
I watch the Sweden-T&T match on ABC yesterday - the coverage was jarring. Sound effects associated with graphics coming in and out. The "lineups" presented NFL style (big colour head shots, a row of defenders, midfielders and forwards - goalie in there somewhere too) with those graphics appearing after the game had started and took up the WHOLE bottom half of the screen. In Canada, TSN and Sportsnet are using a pool feed (might be BBC/Sky's, forget where I read this) but are not using the British commentarty (too expensive) and instead have another commentary stream (which is a British guy anyway, i guess just not the A-level British commentators).
posted by gspm at 09:25 AM on June 11
psmealy: Luckily for England, their remaining group games are both in the evening, and the mid-afternoon kickoffs are no more once it gets into the knockout phases.
posted by afx237vi at 09:31 AM on June 11
Do you think your being a little bit over zealous? lol I don't let my passion cloud my judgement. So, No!
posted by zippinglou at 02:22 PM on June 11
ok, i am not going to pretend to be a fan of soccer. I have tried to watch ABC's coverage and I agree with previous posters that its lacking in quality. Soccer has yet to fufill its potential in the USA; its hardly appointment tv for the masses like football. The current ABC tv coverage will not help the cause.
posted by panteeze at 02:23 PM on June 11
They had Tommy Smyth and Derek Rae for the Champions League, couldn't we at least have one of them as a team? I've watched six of the eight matches so far and am waiting for a decent broadcast.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:06 PM on June 11
The US comentators seem to be trying to hard to hype MLS and team USA (and Landon Donavan). Really sucks too because if they really wanted to turn more Americans on to soccer, insitefull comentary and showing they have at least some knowledge of the game would work so much better. IMO anyway.
posted by Folkways at 05:09 PM on June 11
That's not the only reason it sucks, Folkways. If the US do not advance out of their group (which is more than just a small likelihood), then they have shot the effort (and their ratings share) in the foot. I realize that I am biased, but really, but if you can't watch, say Italy versus the Czech Republic, or Brazil versus Croatia and not be enthralled by the beauty and grace of how the game is played at its highest level, despite not having a fanboy stake in the outcome of the game, there's really no hope for you. Sometimes the best match you will see all year ends 0-0. I'm not sure why many Americans can't get past that, as it seems such a simple concept. Terrible commentary notwithstanding, one thing I have enjoyed the past couple of days is the commercials before the games and during half time. They are almost completely bereft of any pro-USA chauvinism, and capture a lot of the joy and promise. The impossible is nothing campaign is really very well done.
posted by psmealey at 07:09 PM on June 11
I heard the BBC had a commentary channel of children watching the game and making fun of the players. That would be so much better than what we've got, and I don't even hate JP Dellacamera. Oh, and that Sweden/T&T scoreless tie was riveting. I was screaming at the TV with every save and shift in momentum.
posted by chicobangs at 07:55 PM on June 11
Great Kudo's to the excellent World Cup coverage provided by Univision and Telemundo.... I've really enjoyed the passionate, knowledgeable commentary and outstanding use of the German feed. The graphics are minimal and non intrusive. The audio feed was smack on the money, you could feel the crowd emotion ebb and flo, the level of professional analysis, pre and post match coverage is outstanding. I tried watching ABC after watching several matches on Univision and found myself wanting to slap the Producers for the over-production, lack of coherent analysis, overt homer-ism, grossly over produced graphics, crap audio feed and garish set layout, 10 second feed delay and audio sync problems, low fidelity monotrack audio was more then pure crap, to name a few annoying problems I encountered, last but not least, to see the lower third of my screen occasionally covered by an advertisement for a local Real Estate Company during play was more then I could stomach. I encourage everyone with a desire for top flight coverage of the World Cup in North America to brush up on your Spanish and tune into the Univision/Telemundo World Cup Coverage. The difference is like night and day.
posted by skydivedad at 09:00 PM on June 11
If you want to be enthralled by exciting soccer then DO NOT watch an Italy game. The most negative side in football today, and for the past several years. Their primary goal is to achieve a 0-0 tie at the beginning of every game - a win is a bonus.
posted by mikelbyl at 09:46 PM on June 11
If you're gonna slag off catenaccio, at least get your facts right. The primary goal is 1-0 at the beginning of every game, followed by 84 minutes of defense and a tying goal by the opposition at the 90'th :D
One must consider the final result. - Machiavelli
Guy de Parnesse: How do you recork a bottle of champagne? Girl de Parnesse: I don't know. Ask the Italians
posted by romakimmy at 08:30 AM on June 12
Forza Azzurri! As an American living in Italy for the past 4 years... Traitor.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 08:53 AM on June 12
That was vaguely tongue in cheek, btw...
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 08:54 AM on June 12
It's also worth noting that the Italians haven't exactly been proponents of the catenaccio for a while now. Sure they still like to be solid at the back, but that might have something to do with having some pretty bloody handy defenders. They're also techincal going forward, rather than free-flowing, because that's the nature of their domestic league. But if Totti and Del Piero are on form on the same day then you're going to see some beautiful football.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:16 AM on June 12
Never fear Texan, I've been biting the nails over my crisis of "Go USA/Forza Azzurri" since the group draws were announced. And I really enjoyed your comment about Richardon footie in the other thread, Texan, as I am a tranplanted Yankee from Plano. Was planning to comment as such until I was distracted by something small and shiny... On preview: pretty bloody handy defenders. Nesta & Cannavaro - my favorite pair of defenders and not just because they are pretty, pretty eye candy. Only hope the former is able to play tonight or Friday. Totti I fear still has a little way to go to be on par with his previous form; Del Piero either drives me batshitinsane or makes me cheer wildly depending on which side of the bed he woke up on. Keep an eye out for Toni - he was the lead scorer this season. De Rossi is also one of those up & coming youngsters to watch.
posted by romakimmy at 10:25 AM on June 12
Plano, eh romakimmy? I remember when it was just the country and the only landmark was the water tower broadcasting all the football championships. At least it infamously made its way to the silver screen, which is more than I can say for Richardson. It's a shame it had to lose its soul along the way.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 11:37 PM on June 14
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Copyright © 2013 SportsFilterAll posts and comments are © their original authors. | http://www.sportsfilter.com/news/7044/english-fans-turn-win-into-home-match | 2,863 |
Last mission to repair the Hubble telescope Hubble space telescope discoveries have enriched our understanding of the cosmos. In this special report, you will see facts about the Hubble space telescope, discoveries it has made and what the last mission's goals are.
For their own good
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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Pole keeps Johnson on roll toward title
By BRANT JAMES and KELLIE DIXON, Times Staff Writers
Published November 17, 2007
HOMESTEAD - All this perfection is getting a little weird for Jimmie Johnson.
The defending Nextel Cup champion and points leader kept his heavy grip on another title Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, winning the pole for the finale. Johnson, who has set a career best in wins (10), tied his record with his fourth pole this season. He covered the 1.5-mile track in 30.545 seconds at 176.788 mph.
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, second in points, 86 back, qualified 11th for Sunday's Ford 400.
"I'm not doing anything different, my team isn't," Johnson said. "It's just going our way. As well as it's going our way now, it could go the other direction. I've never been in this position before. It's kind of awkward."
Johnson, who has four consecutive wins and has an average finish of 4.7 in nine Chase races, needs only to finish 18th on Sunday to keep the title.
"We think running in the top five is the safest place on the track," he said.
NO FUN: Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't so much hate the idea of the Car of Tomorrow, but the current implementation, he said, is woeful. And he's not sure how to share his opinions with NASCAR.
"I hate this (expletive) COT," he said. "Everybody is struggling with it. It doesn't drive as good as the old cars. The old cars are more fun. You can race harder with them and it's so frustrating driving these COTs because you know what technology you had and you know much more fun it was and better it was. It's 2000 and (expletive) seven and we have the technology and the ability to put a good damned race car on the racetrack and this hunk of (stuff) is what I have to drive? It's frustrating sometimes."
The boxier, ostensibly safer car will be used in all 36 points races beginning next season. Earnhardt Jr. said his problem with the car is it is "not complete," an opinion shared by many of his peers. Trouble is, Earnhardt Jr. said he's not sure how to approach NASCAR with his opinions.
"I'm nervous to tell them," he said. "If I built the COT and then these drivers came telling me what they thought about it, I'd be like, 'get the (expletive) out of here.' I wouldn't like it. I think the delivery is the most important thing, and I haven't figured out what the delivery needs to be to go in there and make sure my input is heard and is effective."
But he will join a Hendrick team that has won nine of the 15 COT races this season. Earnhardt Jr. is winless in his past 61 Cup starts.
That said ... "If I could win the championship, I really wouldn't give a (expletive) how it drove," he said.
NEW GUY: Matt Kenseth predicted a smooth transition to new crew chief Chip Bolin as longtime partner Robbie Reiser is promoted to general manager next season with Roush Fenway Racing. Reiser raced against Kenseth in Wisconsin before becoming his car owner, then crew chief at Roush in 1999.
"I'm not really worried about that at all," Kenseth said. "(Bolin) has been there the whole time that me and Robbie have been there. He was the original engineer when we started that five-race deal with Roush in '99 and he's more than ready and more than capable."
Kenseth and Reiser won the 2003 Nextel Cup and have not finished worse than eighth since 2002. Kenseth finished second in points last season.
YELLOW STRIPE GONE: Juan Pablo Montoya will conclude his rookie season Sunday in the place where he made his NASCAR debut a year ago. Now he is poised to take rookie of the year honors. Montoya, the leader in rookie points, reflected Friday on his season. The highest peak was his win at Sonoma, and the lows were the times when things would go wrong. "We had cars capable of winning and things just didn't go our way," Montoya said. | http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/17/Sports/Pole_keeps_Johnson_on.shtml | 1,046 |
Rackers' OT FG lifts Texans to second 2-0 start
http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton...e=NFLHeadlinesNeil Rackers kicked a 35-yard field goal 11:36 into overtime, and Matt Schaub passed for a franchise-record 497 yards Sunday as the Houston Texans improved to 2-0 with a 30-27 win over the Washington Redskins.
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After a nice 7-0 win over Sacramento State to open the season last week, the No. 10 men’s tennis team is back on the court tomorrow and Saturday, hosting a pair of matches as part of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend at Taube Tennis Stadium.
One of 15 host sites around the country, Stanford is hosting No. 27 San Diego, No. 29 Texas Tech and No. 26 Texas A&M with San Diego and Texas Tech squaring off Friday morning before Stanford and the Aggies meet in the afternoon. The winners will play Saturday to determine who advances to the National Team Indoor Championships, which will be held Feb. 15-18 in Seattle.
Stanford’s pod is definitely one of the toughest in the draw, with each team ranked in the top 30, but the Cardinal will benefit from being at home and has some momentum after last week as well as sophomore Robert Stineman’s run to the Consolation Final at the Sherwood Cup earlier this week.
Head coach John Whitlinger was impressed with Stineman during the preseason. “Robert has improved,” Whitlinger said. “He knew what he had to work on over the summer, and to his credit, really got out there and put in the time to work hard and get better. I think Robert is primed for a pretty good year as well, and I’m ready for some big things from him.”
If the Card is to advance this weekend, however, Stineman’s classmate John Morrissey will also need to step up. Morrissey is the lone nationally-ranked player on the roster right now, and Whitlinger said he was hopeful that even with just a year of varsity experience Morrissey could thrive.
“John had a good fall,” Whitlinger said. “He played well at the ITA All-American Championships and ended up winning a round after getting through the qualifying portion. John is getting better and better. He’s coming off a big year and I’m interested in seeing what he can do higher in the lineup.”
It won’t be easy against the Aggies.
“We are very excited to get the season underway,” Aggie men’s tennis head coach Steve Denton said. “Our team has been beating up on each other during our preseason camp. Coach (Bob) McKinley and I are very impressed on how well our young team has competed thus far against each other. We have had some very spirited practice sessions.”
The Aggies return seven members from last season’s 14-15 squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to the eventual national champions in USC. Headlining the group of returners are sophomores Jeremy Efferding and Jordan Szabo, ranked No. 87 and No. 103, respectively, in the preseason ITA singles rankings.
In addition, junior Junior Ore and sophomore Behzad Minavi, who claimed the singles (Ore) and doubles (Ore/Minavi) championships at the Rice/MET Indoor Tennis Tournament last weekend, look to use that victory as a springboard for the upcoming season. Other notable returners with varsity experience are senior Niall Angus, junior Alberto Bautista and sophomore Jackson Withrow.
Regardless of who steps onto the court for A&M, Stanford is eager to return to relevance in the tournament, having last captured the hardware at this tournament in 2002 with a 4-3 win over Illinois. | http://www.stanforddaily.com/2013/01/24/no-10-mens-tennis-hosts-three-ranked-teams-for-ita-kick-off-weekend/ | 736 |
...is Vontaze Burfict.
Two points. First, yeah there are 30 other teams saying the same thing. Second, I want to point out that I am not nearly as critical of the Steelers' drafting as some. I think we tend to magnify our busts and forget those by "geniuses" such as a certain coach in New England.
That said, how we (or someone) could not take a flyer on this kid amazes me. He was a beast in college and although somewhat of a douche, he went undrafted. A seventh round selection would have been virtually no risk.
I could see him fitting right into our D. Oh well, when your season is over before Christmas you do not have much left to do than to covet other teams' players. :-) | http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37061-Foote-needs-to-go?goto=nextnewest | 165 |
London Final match from the O2 Live Here: Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer Live ATP Finals 2012
- We have one more match to come in London and that will see the world number one take on the world number two in a dream final. Join us for live coverage tomorrow night for Djokovic-Federer!
- Fed wins his London miniseries with Murray 2-1. Andy took the Olympic final while Roger won the Wimbledon encounter and this match tonight.
- Great intense match, Murray threw everything at him in the first set but once Federer got going there was only going to be one winner.
Federer wins 6-2 7-6 (7-5)
- Federer 6-2 7-6 (7-5) Murray
There’s no stopping the Fed express now, he speeds through the game with impervious play. Game, set and match to Federer.
- Federer 5-2 7-6 (7-5) Murray
At 30-30 things are looking bad for Murray and as Federer moves ahead to break point. Fed picks up the ball with a backhand and deposits it beyond Murray’s reach – double break and he’s a game away from a showdown with Djokovic tomorrow.
- Federer 4-2 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Federer holds to love despite some second serves. The Swiss is eight from nine on his second delivery in this set. Murray has got to do better, he has two more tries to go.
- Federer 3-2 7-6 (7-5) Murray
No problem for Murray as he holds serve to love. Can he use that as a base for an assault on the Federer serve?
- Federer 3-1 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Fed’s forehand is relentless at the moment, Murray is mumbling to himself. I can’t help but think these two things are linked. Another hold and if Federer continues to waltz through service games like this, the finish line will be in sight soon. Time for Murray to make a stand.
- Federer 2-1 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Murray goes to the drop shot twice, once successful. Is he trying to run Federer’s energy levels down? Two errors undo previous good play from Andy and the game heads to deuce. Another error and it is break point. Murray has to stop the rot now but can’t as Fed gets on the forehand and forces Murray into the net.
- Federer 1-1 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Federer is set to cruise control as he sweeps through the game, rewarding himself with a new racquet at the end of it.
- Federer 0-1 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Novak Djokovic came back from a set down earlier today, Andy Murray will have to match his effort if he is going to contest the final tomorrow. The Scot has the advantage of serving first and the crowd is trying to rouse him. He gets off to good start, holding to 15.
First set goes to Federer!
- Federer 7-6 (7-5) Murray
Murray saves a set point, but on the second one Federer drives Murray back and takes the first set.
- Federer 6-4 Murray TB
Federer goes toe to toe on the backhand side for several shots before Murray makes an error. Set point!
- Federer 5-4 Murray TB
Big serve and some net play moves Murray back ahead on serve. Fed slams a service winner down and then forces an error with a drive volley. Neither man backing off…
- Federer 3-3 Murray TB
Federer bangs a big serve down and follows up with a forehand, Murray holds his two service points too. A Federer backhand error hands the minibreak over before he wins the next point. Amazing play from Fed to win a long rally and level things at the changeover.
- Federer 6-6 Murray
Murray stays calm and finds the right gradient of escalating aggression in the first two points to force errors. Fed finds time to knock a stunning backhand winner down the line before Murray closes out. Tiebreak – showtime at the O2
- Federer 6-5 Murray
The tactical battle is fascinating, both men know what they want to do. Fed keeping points short where he can and some great serves (first and second) see him through another game. Murray needs to hold to reach a tiebreak.
- Federer 5-5 Murray
Roger is all over Andy’s second serve now but Murray hangs tough and holds his opponent off. Gutsy play.
- Federer 5-4 Murray
Murray will be frustrated at letting Federer off the floor so late in the set. The Fed machine is purring now: aggressive second serves, rapier forehand and all.
- Federer 4-4 Murray
Murray has new balls but Federer is on the hunt regardless and gets to 0-30. Murray hauls him back before spooning a scoop forehand out, break point for Federer. Second serve and Fed advances in to level the set. Momentum with Fed, can Murray get going again?
- Federer 3-4 Murray
Some inaccuracy from Murray’s backhand but he’s staying aggressive. Federer produces some magic on the final point, wowing the crowd.
- Federer 2-4 Murray
Here we go then, Murray serving. At 15-15 Fed tucks into a second serve to move ahead, his fans cheer their approval – there’s not tennis venue in the world that doesn’t have Federer fans in it. The game moves to deuce, Fed using a backhand down the line to Murray’s forehand to change the backhand to backhand pattern that favours Murray. Andy gets into the net well to secure the hold though.
- Federer 2-3 Murray
Federer falls 0-30 down before smashing a should height forehand for a winner. The serve and forehand comes to life to see him through the game. More like it from the Swiss but he’s still a break down.
- Federer 1-3 Murray
So Murray is looking to take Federer’s indoor fortress by storm. The Scot has come out all guns blazing while Federer is feeling his way into the match. Big contrast between Fed’s chip return and the big swings of Murray, which will prove more effective tonight? The men exchange glaring errors before a big serve seals the game for Murray.
- Federer 1-2 Murray
Federer has not served consistently well at the O2 this year and how he needs some first serves here as Murray jumps out 15-30 with some aggressive play. The game goes to deuce and Murray rolls the dice on a huge return that is just out. Federer takes the game and is on the scoreboard.
- Federer 0-2 Murray
Llendl in Andy’s player box, stony faced as ever while his charge looks to consolidate the break. Federer works his way to 15-30 but Murray reels off three points to hold.
- Federer 0-1 Murray
Gladiatorial atmosphere in North Greenwich. Federer is outlasted by Murray at a crucial point and it is two early break points for the Scot. Fed saves the first but nets the second and the crowd roars in support of the home player.
- The players are warming up. Andy Murray won the toss and elected to receive.
- One of the biggest rivalries on the ATP Tour will get its next installment around 7.45pm. Can Andy Murray get a third successive win against Roger Federer or will the Swiss maestro find his Wimbledon form?
Live Commentary of the ATP World Tour Finals 2012 semifinal match between Federer and Murray will commence here Sunday at 7:45pm London (UK) time.
The Swiss qualified for the semis after winning his group, on the other side the Brit finished second in his group (with Djokovic being first).
Murray leads the head to head against Federer with 10-8, having beaten him in the 2012 Shanghai Masters semi-finals. | http://www.stevegtennis.com/2012/11/federer-vs-murray-live-atp-world-tour-finals-2012/ | 1,751 |
The Theology of Ray Lewis
Whenever anyone asks me whether God has a hand in the outcome of sporting events, I have a ready answer. I point to the three little league baseball seasons I coached with a fellow Episcopal priest: we never had a winning season. Granted we weren’t exactly down on our knees in the dugout or teaching our players the proper way to cross themselves in the batter’s box. But you’d think God would have at least sent one power hitter our way or blessed us with an outfielder who could actually track fly balls.
There’s been a lot of talk about God’s role in sports the past few weeks. Sports Illustrated even ran a cover story with the headline “Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?” featuring a picture of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis emerging from a body of water with his hands clasped in prayer.
Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I should tell you I’m originally from Baltimore. I am a passionate, life-long Orioles fan and a huge Ravens fan. As I write this the morning after the Super Bowl, I’m reveling in last night’s events while drinking coffee at Redeye Roasters wearing my Ray Lewis jersey.
It’s no secret Lewis is a polarizing figure — as a young man he was put on trial in connection with a double murder following Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. He was cleared but charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice. For some, that connection, regardless of the fuzzy circumstances and outcome of the trial, has forever vilified Lewis. Like most Baltimoreans I believe he’s done an admirable job of turning his life around and have seen first-hand the impact he’s had in that city through charity work and inspiring a generation of underprivileged young boys and girls. I also love his passion for the game of football, admire his leadership skills, and feel privileged to have seen the best linebacker of his era play both live and on television.
I must, however, take exception to Lewis’ brand of public theology. There’s no doubt he has a larger pulpit than any member of the clergy. He can “preach” to millions while most of us are stuck preaching to hundreds. His platform makes the pulpit at the Washington National Cathedral look like a battery-operated megaphone. The problem with this is that Lewis can preach the Gospel According to Ray without consequence or accountability. He claims to answer to God alone but sometimes there’s a fine line between God and Ray and that not only makes people uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.
In the immediate aftermath of the Super Bowl, a reporter asked Lewis, “How does it feel to be a Super Bowl Champion?” He responded “When God is for you, who can be against you?” The implication being that God was “for” Lewis and the Ravens more than God was “for” the 49ers. That’s a slippery theological slope. Does it mean that God preferred one Harbaugh brother over the other? Does it mean that if you pray enough, God will reward you with success and riches beyond your wildest imagination? If you don’t win the big game or get that promotion or get an A on your calculus test, are you a lousy Christian?
This not only turns faith into competitive blood sport, it sets up a dangerous dualistic approach where you’re either on God’s side or not. Everything becomes black and white with no shades of gray. Unfortunately, the human relationship with God is much more nuanced than this — our faith ebbs and flows, there are moments of inspiration followed by periods of doubt. Like the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, faith is a living, breathing life-long journey of falling away and returning to God.
In other words, if God is for us, that doesn’t mean there’s an equal and opposite person that God is against. It just doesn’t work that way since God is “for” everyone who seeks God out and takes even the most tentative step toward relationship.
I’m still going to enjoy this Super Bowl victory and wear my purple with pride. I just don’t think I’ll be inviting Ray Lewis to guest preach any time soon. | http://www.stjamesnews.com/article/20130204/BLOGS/302049993/0/ARTICLES | 908 |
It's always a good time to get out to see a great basketball game, and the Rider Broncs have you covered once again this
season. The Broncs have plenty of talent and aspirations of sliding up the MAAC standings in another heart-pounding season
of basketball. All you have to do is snag a few tickets soon through StubHub, where you can always find NCAA basketball tickets to all of the must-see matchups.
Enrollment at Rider is about 5,800, and every sports fan at the school is anxious to get tickets to see this team in action.
Watch the Rider men's basketball team buck the competition in the MAAC
by getting some Rider Broncs basketball tickets for their home games. With so many great matchups from season to season,
you can't go wrong with bringing your school gear and heading out to a tremendous game that will have everyone jumping out
of their seats.
There's nothing like seeing a college basketball game live, so if you have never experienced a college hoops game in person,
this is the time to try it out. When you get NCAA basketball tickets to see the Rider Broncs play their home basketball games,
you'll be watching the action from a seat at the Rider Alumni
Gym in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Each game has an exhilarating atmosphere of Broncs fans, so don't hesitate to join
in the excitement.
With another schedule packed with promising matchups, the Broncs are sure to give fans plenty to cheer about from game
to game. As the Broncs look to pile up the wins all season long in conference play, there is sure to be plenty of spectacular
dunks and eye-popping finishes. As always, StubHub has you covered for sports
tickets to all of the biggest and most anticipated matchups around the sports world. | http://www.stubhub.com/rider-basketball-tickets/ | 377 |
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has indicated Adam Thomson will end his All Blacks career and move overseas.
Thomson's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks with his contract due to expire with the New Zealand Rugby Union this year.
The versatile 28-test flanker is thought to have been weighing up a lucrative move to Japan.
Unless Thomson, who was courted by the Blues for next year, makes an unlikely 11th hour u-turn, Joseph is resigned to losing one of his most valuable assets.
New Zealand Super Rugby teams unveil their 28 protected players next week and Joseph is not expecting his to inculde Thomson, who will turn out for Otago tonight in the NPC championship final against Counties Manukau in Pukekohe.
It could be his last match on New Zealand soil.
"Adam hasn't committed to New Zealand rugby so it's difficult to select him. That indicates he's heading overseas," Joseph told Fairfax Media.
"He's been a great servant and he will be sorely missed."
After appearing in all three victories over Ireland in June, Thomson fell out of favour with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, playing just one match - 15-minutes - off the bench against South Africa in Johannesburg as Liam Messam nailed the blindside flanker role.
"If he's not playing test matches then he's not playing the level of rugby he's hoping to get," Joseph said.
Thomson's likely defection places his spot on the All Blacks end-of-year tour in jeopardy.
Hansen may feel obligated to blood another loose-forward option, such as the Crusaders' Luke Whitelock or Blues' Luke Braid, rather carry a player who will depart the New Zealand scene, when the 32-man squad is named on Monday.
At 30, Thomson may have sensed this was the right time to cash in off-shore, but his move would take some of the gloss off Joseph's remarkable off-season recruitment drive which landed Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Brad Thorn.
He has been one of the Highlanders' best players in the last two seasons and continues to flourish at Super Rugby level.
"He's a quality player, there's no doubt about that," Joseph said.
"He's been a big part of our resurgence down here in the deep south at the Highlanders. His play is going to be really missed within the team, but as always happens in New Zealand it will give some else another opportunity."
Joseph has empathy for Thomson's predicament and, for that reason, gave him space to make the decision.
In his playing career, many thought Joseph left the All Blacks too early. He went on to spend eight years in Japan.
"I respected his time and the options he was considering. I respect the decisions he's making because I've made those same decisions as a rugby player," Joseph said.
"Having been there and done that I stepped away. I knew if he stayed in New Zealand he would play for the Highlanders."
- © Fairfax NZ News
How do you feel about the AIG logo on the All Blacks jersey? | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7865795/Adam-Thomson-set-to-head-overseas | 652 |
DALLAS—The lunch hour at Champps Sports Bar and Grill in Las Colinas was the bewiching hour for Cowboy fans--owner Jerry Jones made it official--Jason Garrett is the Cowboys new head coach and for fans--the verdict was swift.
"I like it a lot," Said season ticket holder Caleb Potter.
"I think Jason Garrett is going to have what what it takes to turn them around."
Some fans wondered if Jones could have looked at big names like Gruden or Harbaugh.
At sports talk radio Jason Garrett was topic 1A. Galloway & Company co-host Matt Mosley believes Jones made the right move but selling that to fans is another story.
"I don't think anybody is really excited as they would be about a big name like a Gruden or Cowher, somebody like that," Mosley said. "I think everybody is just sort of like--okay with it."
Back at Champps fans can only hope Garrett's brief coaching record improves.
"5 and 3 is not that great," Potter said. "But when you go 1 and 7 and with somebody as humdrum as Wade Phillips--we'll take whatever we can get." | http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/kdaf-jason-hired-story,0,5923710.story | 246 |
MINING contractor Macmahon Holdings expects to make just $2 million on the sale of its construction business to Leighton Holdings due to $12 million in redundancy costs.
Macmahon announced earlier in December it would sell its construction activities to become a dedicated full service mining contractor.
After recent adjustments for new work and projects, Macmahon said its deal with Leighton would be worth $20 million, and produce proceeds of $14 million after transferring employee liabilities to Leighton.
But Macmahon expects to incur $12 million in restructure and redundancy costs associated with staff that will not be transferred to Leighton.
The company has not said how many employees will lose their jobs.
Read more at News.com.au | http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/macmahon-profits-just-2-million-sale-leightons/1696753/ | 150 |
Emanuel to stump for Obama in Florida and Ohio
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall [email protected] October 17, 2012 2:38PM
President Barack Obama is greeted by Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel as he takes the stage to speak at a fundriser at Navy Pier in Chicago on April 14, 2011. l Keith Hale l Sun-Times
Updated: November 19, 2012 3:12PM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday he will spend the next two weekends campaigning for President Barack Obama in two battleground states — Florida and Ohio — and he’s relieved to be hitting the road for his former boss after the second debate, instead of the first.
“He is a friend, but more important than a friend of mine, he’s been a friend of the city of Chicago and he’s been a great president,” said Emanuel, who served as the first chief of staff in the Obama White House.
As for the second debate, Emanuel said, “I’m glad I’m going after this debate, rather than the other one. There’ll be a lot more energy to it.”
Last month, Emanuel delivered a rousing speech to the Democratic National Convention on Obama’s behalf before announcing that he had stepped down as co-chairman of Obama’s re-election campaign to serve as a chief fund-raiser for a political action committee supporting the president.
On Wednesday, Emanuel was asked how he can simultaneously campaign for the president in swing states and raise money for Priorities USA without violating the firewall that’s supposed to separate the two.
“We’ve cleared it all because a lot of the organizations are asking me. That’s all been cleared from a legal perspective,” the mayor said.
Emanuel declared a winner in the first presidential debate hours before it started and stuck to the script even after Romney appeared to get the better of Obama.
It wasn’t until the day before the debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan that Emanuel came clean.
Asked then to predict the outcome, the mayor said, “It’ll be the same prediction I had in the last one, but I hope with a better, different outcome.”
In Florida, Emanuel will be targeting two groups pivotal to Obama’s chances of winning that pivotal state: senior citizens and Jews.
With seniors, the mayor is expected to contrast what he views as Obama’s efforts to strengthen Medicare and expand benefits against Romney’s plan to turn Medicare into a voucher program. With his fellow Jewish voters, Emanuel is expected to underscore the president’s support for Israel — even though Romney has accused the president of inching away from Israel.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady could not resist taking a shot at Chicago’s traveling mayor.
“Instead of misleading seniors and Jewish voters in Ohio and Florida, Chicago’s mayor should be in Chicago worrying about how to keep families safe from unprecedented crime and fiscal crisis,” Brady said. “Voters in both states already know the president cut Medicare and repeatedly castigated Israel. They don’t need to hear more excuses and explanations.” | http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/15807047-418/emanuel-to-stump-for-obama-in-florida-and-ohio.html | 687 |
Ozzie Guillen: Carlos Zambrano is ‘embarrassed’
BY TONI GINNETTI [email protected] August 13, 2011 9:26PM
Johnny Giavotella slides safely into first as Brent Lillibridge reaches for the tag in the second. | John Gress~Getty Images
Updated: October 19, 2011 3:02AM
The latest transgression by Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano “is a very bad and very sad situation,’’ White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Saturday.
“I can talk from both ways, as a manager and his friend,” Guillen said. “It’s tough on how a manager would handle that because he’s very intense about respect, loyalty. On the other side, this kid has a lot of pride. This kid’s embarrassed. This kid wants to be good, and I think he feels like he’s not doing his job.’’
Venezuelans Guillen and Zambrano are close, and Guillen said the Cubs pitcher talked to his wife briefly Friday night after his unannounced departure from a game in Atlanta after being ejected. Guillen said he didn’t speak to Zambrano, who was placed on a disqualified list Saturday without pay for at least 30 days.
“I don’t take anything away from what people say [about Zambrano], but I don’t think too many people know why or they don’t know why he’s acting that way,’’ Guillen said. “Whatever people say I respect and he should respect. It’s just a very, very tough situation because he’s one of the best pitchers they have.’’
Zambrano’s last outburst last season happened at U.S. Cellular Field against the Sox, that being the dugout tirade against teammate Derrek Lee that led to Zambrano’s suspension and mandated anger management counseling. That night, Zambrano kept a planned dinner with Guillen and his family.
Guillen said Zambrano, who started a charitable foundation this year, is “a great guy’’, but he added “it gets to the point of enough is enough.
“What can I say? Hopefully today he feels a little bit better. He should feel embarrassed, he should regret what he said or what he did, but I don’t think he said anything bad. There’s a lot of people thinking [about] what he said [retiring]. I did a lot. You know how many times I wanted to quit? But I can’t because I love this game. So does he.
“I guarantee you in two or three more days, he’ll be thinking, ‘Oh my God, what I did?’ And believe me, I don’t know why, I don’t know what really happened, but I guarantee he’ll feel more embarrassed than anything. Knowing him, I’m pretty sure that’s the way he’ll feel.’’
Guillen said the situation “is the Cubs problem,’’ adding, “Obviously it’s going to be hard, but just stick with him. Listen to what he says.’’
Only once did Guillen directly discipline a player he felt violated team rules, when he sent home relief pitcher Damaso Marte late in the 2005 season for reporting to the park late without advanced permission. Marte was allowed back days later but was traded after the season.
“I packed his bag out of my clubhouse,” Guillen said. “He deserved it. He didn’t respect my rules the team rules.
“On this ball club, it’s not going to happen,’’ he added of a situation like Zambrano’s. “I know my players and I think we respect each other. Like I’ve said in the past, hate me, love me, I don’t care. But one thing — respect. That’s all I care about with players. And win games for me. That’s what I get paid for. Every manager does.’’
Adam Dunn left the team because of the death of an uncle. Guillen said he would return Tuesday for the start of the Cleveland series.
◆ Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who was hit on the left wrist Friday, also is expected to play again Tuesday after Monday’s off day. | http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/7052876-419/ozzie-guillen-carlos-zambrano-is-embarrassed.html | 1,016 |
Sharks coach John Plumtree says he feels a little happier now that the Sharks are in the Super Rugby play-off positions and says that their destiny is now in their own hands.
The coastal side moved into sixth position on the combined log, after their 53-11 victory over the Western Force over the weekend.
"Now it's about controlling our own destiny as the tournament reaches the business end," Plumtree said.
"We have to make sure that when we get an opportunity, we take it."
The Sharks have 36 points and are sandwiched between the two New Zealand teams, the Highlanders (35), who they beat in their previous game, and the Crusaders (37).
The Sharks are now in the "crunch" phase of the competition with three local derbies over the next three weeks, ahead of June's international break.
They face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, followed by a home match against the Stormers and then play the Lions away in Johannesburg on June 2.
"We know that the Cheetahs' boys are tough," the Sharks mentor said.
"They love these derby games."
"The intensity and physicality is going to be right up there in Bloemfontein and we have to make sure we're right up for it.
"It's a home game for them, we know what's coming, it's just about making sure we meet the challenge head on."
Plumtree was satisfied with the win over the Force, only the third 50-plus score they have managed in their history.
However, he admitted there were a few areas to rectify, especially the restarts.
"I thought we were clinical in a lot of things we did, except for the kick-offs which are something we'll have to work hard on this week," he said.
"We were down a little on territory, which is a bit of a worry for us, but the kick-offs were part of the reason why."
There was concern over the weekend when flyhalf Patrick Lambie had to be replaced at half time, following a knock to the head.
Plumtree said after the game that it was a precautionary decision and confirmed on Tuesday that the young Springbok was likely to be fit.
The only other worry was Louis Ludik's fitness, but the rest of the squad were all fit to play.
"We're hoping Pat will train on Tuesday," Plumtree said.
"The worst off is Louis Ludik who has a bicep problem but hopefully he will be all right later in the week.
"Otherwise everyone else is good to go." | http://www.super-rugby.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=35173 | 555 |
Transfer deadline day: live blog
Transfer deadline day is here. Welcome to our live coverage.
We will combine live updates, comments and your tweets in this blog around the last-gasp transfers.
Football fans everywhere are waiting with anticipation and apprehension to find out who their teams will gain and lose, knowing that silverware can depend on the decisions made today.
Will any moves be made at Manchester? Will Anton Ferdinand fare better at Bursaspor on loan than he was doing at QPR? Who will Arsene Wenger’s “three players” be?
Follow the transfer action right here and use #SSFootball to leave your comments through Twitter. We'll pull the best of them into our coverage below. | http://www.supersport.com/football/football-features/news/130131/Transfer_deadline_day_live_blog | 150 |
Seperation Sugery Brings University Together For Conjoined Twins
Zinie Chen Sampson, AP
Conjoined twin girls from the Dominican Republic are recovering at a Virginia hospital after undergoing complicated, nearly day-long surgical procedures to separate them. Maria and Teresa Tapia were born joined at the lower chest and abdomen, sharing a liver, pancreas and portion of the small intestine. A team led by Dr. David Lanning, surgeon-in-chief at Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, completed a 20-hour surgery on Maria and an 18.5-hour surgery on Teresa.
Lanning said at a news conference the toddlers were in stable condition in the pediatric intensive care unit, and that he expects the 19-month-olds to fully recover and "grow up to be healthy, young independent girls." In several procedures involving six surgeons, the medical team divided the liver, pancreas and other shared organ systems and reconstructed the girls' abdominal walls. "Everything just went so smoothly over the last 24 hours," Lanning said.
The girls and their 24-year-old mother, Lisandra Sanatis, arrived in Richmond about two months ago to prepare for the lengthy, intricate surgery. The twins and their family have become celebrities in the Dominican Republic. The country's first lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, stopped in Richmond on Monday during the surgery to support them. Sanatis thanked God, Cedeño de Fernández, Lanning and many others for helping her daughters, and wept with happiness.
"It was really my dream and thank God it came true," she said through an interpreter. VCU's first attempt at separating conjoined twins also allowed some of the university's students to use their talents to help the family in unexpected ways. "It's more than just an operation," said pediatric plastic surgeon Jennifer Rhodes, part of the medical team operating on the twins. "To get patients from start to finish you need to get involved and care for them in a holistic fashion."
Students from the Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising created new outfits for the toddlers, an occupational therapist modified a car seat, and a sculpture student created foam models of the twins' bodies so Rhodes could practice on synthetic skin before the surgery. The World Pediatric Project, a non-profit surgical-care provider for children in Central America and the Caribbean, sponsored the twins' medical care, along with the family's stay in the United States. Lanning has been a surgical volunteer with the group for several years.
Sanatis said she has always dreamed of seeing her daughters as separate and independent children. Teresa is more tranquil and Maria is more forceful and tough, she said. "It may be a little strange at first, but it really is what I wanted," Sanatis said through an interpreter in an interview before the surgery. "I'm so happy to be able to see them be the individuals they were born to be."
Because of the way the top portion of their small intestines were connected, Maria wasn't able to absorb the nutrition she needed and was about 20 percent smaller than Teresa. Also, nearly 88 percent of the liver's blood flow was routed to Teresa. Lanning felt the disparities would likely have increased unless they were separated. Lanning said he had "extensive conversations" about the Tapia case with Dr. Gary Hartman, the pediatric surgeon who led a team at Stanford University that separated twin girls joined at the chest and abdomen last week.
Sanatis predicted that her daughters will be glad to be able to get away from each other during arguments. "They fight like siblings who aren't conjoined fight," she said. "But imagine if you have nowhere to go." The girls are expected to remain in the hospital for about two weeks and stay in Richmond at least another month so they can undergo physical and occupational therapy, along with follow-up visits with doctors. They could return home by the end of the year to reunite with the twins' father, a construction worker, and three other siblings.
About a half-dozen separation surgeries are done in the U.S. annually, Lanning said, and maybe double that number worldwide. Worldwide, conjoined twins account for between 1 in 50,000 and 1 in 100,000 live births. The condition is three times more likely to occur among females than males. A third of conjoined twins are attached at the lower chest, as in the case of the Tapia twins. | http://www.surgicalproductsmag.com/print/news/2011/11/seperation-sugery-brings-university-together-conjoined-twins?qt-most_popular=0&qt-recent_blogs_articles=0 | 923 |
Date:Monday January 24 2011
Scott Sinclair denied that he dived to win a late penalty at Barnsley on Saturday.
The winger scored his 17th goal of the season after winning a 85th minute penalty to rescue a point for Barnsley at Oakwell.
Barnsley boss Mark Robins was disappointed and disagreed with the spot-kick decision, but both Brendan Rodgers and Scott Sinclair believed it was a penalty:
'I was trying to get the ball and I felt contact. I've not dived,'
'You go in for the ball thinking you are trying to get a shot off and score, but if the keeper comes out and gets you then you're going down.
'The Barnsley players weren't happy, but it's part of the game — people go home and talk about speculation in the game, but I'm not bothered what people say.
'I know the correct decision was made.'
The Swans have had problems in the past with missed penalties - ever since Jason Scotland left, and after Cotterill failed to score from 2 this season, it looks like we've finally found a replacement spot-kick taker, as Sinclair has netted 3 now will confidence and ease.
'Every time I take a penalty I get more confident. I pick a spot and stick to it,'
'There were a few guys who stayed after training to take penalties at Chelsea — like Frank Lampard — and I used to get involved.
'But there's a big difference in taking penalties in training and in games.
'As I step up to the spot I feel confident to take it and that's very important.'
Sinclair also says that we can't be too disappointed with only getting a point at Barnsley:
'The main thing is consistency throughout the season,'
'We didn't get the win at Barnsley but we got a point and if we can keep grinding out results then we should be up there.
'One point is better than none. We didn't start with our usual game as we found it difficult to pass it on that pitch.
'But these are the type of games where we have to show our character and try to grind teams down to get a result.
'I don't think we can be unhappy with what we got.'
Date:Monday January 24 2011
VIDEO: Top-10 Finish Bigger Than Cup Triumph (Tuesday May 14 2013)
Report - Man United 2-1 Swansea City (Sunday May 12 2013)
Line-Ups & Updates: Man United 2-1 Swansea City (Sunday May 12 2013)
Laudrup: Michu Could Return For Final Game (Saturday May 11 2013)
Laudrup Will Stay At Swansea Promises Agent (Friday May 10 2013)
383 Premier League players sign up to Support Stan (Friday May 10 2013)
Jenkins: Laudrup Would Turn Down Everton Job (Thursday May 9 2013)
Report - Wigan Athletic 2-3 Swansea City (Wednesday May 8 2013)
Liverpool Board Block Williams Move? (Monday May 6 2013)
Rate The Players - Swansea City 0-0 Man City (Sunday May 5 2013)
|10. West Ham||37||11||10||16||-10||43|
|Jay Relishing Stoke Challenge
» Southampton : 18/05/2013 17:00:00
|Barmpot Decision - I'm Not Frustrated - Honest
» Wigan : 18/05/2013 16:49:00
|Issues Resolved - Time To March On
» Southampton : 18/05/2013 15:22:00
|Shaun Maloney - Vital Latics POTS - The Video
» Wigan : 18/05/2013 14:46:00
|We Deserve To Finish Higher
» Aston Villa : 18/05/2013 14:31:00
|West Brom v United Preview
» Man Utd : 18/05/2013 13:37:00
|Chelsea v Everton Preview
» Chelsea : 18/05/2013 13:10:00 | http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=229459 | 847 |
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All four Sweetwater teams are still chasing District 5 championships after the first three days of their respective double-elimination all-star tournaments.
Two teams stayed alive by winning losers bracket games Wednesday.
Sweetwater’s 9-10 year-olds were a 17-7 winner over Breckenridge, and advance to play Snyder at 7 p.m. to-day in Snyder.
Sweetwater’s 11-12 year-olds were a 2-1 winner over Breckenridge, and advance to play Snyder at 6 p.m. to-day at Wylie.
The 13-14 year-old (Jun-ior League) all-stars will play Snyder at 5:45 p.m. today at Wylie, while the Sweetwater 10-11 year-olds will resume play at 6 p.m. Friday when they face off against Wylie in a District 5 semifinal that will be played at Sweetwater, which is hosting the 10-11 tourney.
The Sweetwater-Wylie winner advances to the title game on Monday, while the loser gets a shot at the title if it can rebound by winning Saturday in the losers bracket final at 6 p.m. Today’s games pit Snyder vs. Southern at 6 p.m. and Clyde vs. Merkel at 8 p.m.
The Junior League all-stars will play Abilene North Gold or Abilene South Red on Saturday in a District 5 semifinal should they defeat Snyder. If they lose, they will play Wylie or Abilene South Blue at 7 p.m. Friday. | http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com/content/sw-teams-win-keep-their-district-hopes-alive?quicktabs_2=2 | 351 |
Your chance to join Sport Makers as a Big Splash Ambassador
Don’t miss out on your chance to be a Sport Maker and be part of the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy by joining our fantastic team of Big Splash Ambassadors.
If you like to keep fit and have fun in the pool, whether it is training to be the best or just splashing about, then the Big Splash Ambassador role could be perfect for you! As well as a great volunteering experience, you could also get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's all part of the wider Sport Makers programme which covers all sports.
What is a Big Splash Ambassador?
Your aim will be to engage the local community in aquatics and increase participation by talking about and promoting the health and social benefits of swimming. It's all about getting your friends, your family and the wider community more active.
To help you on your way you can tell them all about our national campaign to get the nation swimming – the Big Splash! It's a national celebration of swimming and you will probably have already seen it on the BBC or at your local pool, as throughout the year swimming is being highlighted for the important life skill that it undoubtedly is. The Big Splash provides an opportunity for people across the country to join the 13 million in the UK who are already making a splash. As a Big Splash Ambassador we are asking you to dedicate 10 hours of your time to get your community active in the pool.
Do I need to have swimming experience?
The simple answer is no! You don’t need to have had any previous swimming or volunteering experience to become a Big Splash Ambassador. All you need is a passion for exercise and promoting a healthy lifestyle along with enthusiasm and knowledge of your local community to promote pool based activity to your friends, colleagues and neighbours. It will suit anyone who wants to get out there and make sport happen!
What will I have to do?
1. Be enthusiastic!
2. Visit the Big Splash website; find your local pool and register.
3. Find a time or activity where you would like to make a splash.
4. Round up your friends; then sell them the benefits of being involved.
5. Remind them the day before to bring their kit and their cash.
6. Turn up and SWIM!
7. Ask them afterwards if they want to do it again and suggest the next date.
8. Encourage your friends to sign up to the Big Splash.
9. Challenge your friends to enter the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief Swimathon event. You can then all have a challenge to work towards.
As a Big Splash Ambassador you will become an official Sport Maker!
The ASA are working with County Sports Partnerships to offer these exciting volunteering opportunities as part of the wider Sport Makers programme, which covers all sports. It's part of the 'Places People Play' Sport England legacy programme, backed by the British Olympic Association and the National Lottery. You will join tens of thousands of new sports volunteers to directly make sport happen at a local level and organise and lead community sporting activity across the country.
By taking part in Sport Makers and completing 10 hours of volunteering, you could secure tickets to attend next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. Click here to read more about the launch of the Sport Maker programme.
What do I do next?
You need to attend an informal and interactive workshop where you will gain the skills and knowledge to get involved. There will also be opportunities to meet top athletes! Register with Sport Makers at www.sportmakers.co.uk and sign up to a workshop today to get started. | http://www.swimming.org/asa/volunteering/Sport-Makers/ | 770 |
Update: Syracuse police charged a man early today with stabbing a 52-year-old woman during a fight over a woman.
Preston Fields, 40, of Glahn Avenue, was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon after the 11:45 p.m. Sunday fight at Fields' residence, said Sgt. Tom Connellan.
Joyce Burwell, of Warner Avenue, told police she was arguing with Fields over a woman Burwell used to date, Connellan said. Burwell said Fields now dates the woman.
During the argument, Fields threw punches at Burwell and later stabbed her in the side with a folding knife, Connellan said Burwell told police.
Burwell was taken to University Hospital after the stabbing. Her injury is not considered life-threatening, Connellan said. -- 11 a.m.
Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse police are investigating a stabbing late Sunday on the city's South Side, said Sgt. Tom Connellan.
Connellan said the injury did not appear serious. The stabbing happened on Glahn Avenue near Kirk Park, according to an Onondaga County 911 dispatcher. | http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/syracuse_police_investigate_ov.html | 241 |
This really was one for the ages.
For more than four hours, Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden paced the Orange Bowl sidelines, searching for offense and enduring one missed kick after another.
Finally, in the third overtime, at 1am yesterday, Kevin Kelly made a 29-yard field goal, giving Paterno and Penn State a 26-23 victory over Bowden's Florida State Seminoles.
"I told him we're too old for this," the 79-year-old Paterno said afterward. "It's almost past my bedtime."
And one of the most thrilling anyone's ever seen.
Paterno had said he didn't want the game to be about him and the 76-year-old Bowden, who rank 1-2 in career coaching victories. It turned out to be about missed opportunities, improbable twists, epic length -- and nearly unbearable suspense.
Kelly missed field goal attempts of 29 and 38 yards that would have won the game. Paterno calmly patted the freshman's back after the second miss, then sent him back onto the field for another try.
It was second down, and Paterno called for a fake field goal. But Florida State's defensive alignment negated that idea.
Kelly kicked the winner instead.
"I still had my confidence," Kelly said. "I don't think I've ever missed three in a row."
Florida State counterpart Gary Cismesia missed an extra point in the first half and field goal tries of 44 and 38 yards in overtime -- a familiar problem for Bowden. Missed or blocked field goals have helped the Miami Hurricanes beat him six times, including in the 2004 Orange Bowl.
"When they pick the all-time missed field-goal coach, I'll probably get the award," Bowden said. "We're masters at that."
The No. 3-ranked Nittany Lions finished 11-1, with the only loss coming when they gave up a touchdown to Michigan on the game's final play. Paterno's best season in 11 years represented a big rebound after going 7-16 in 2003-2004.
"Obviously this year has been one of the most rewarding," Paterno said at the end of his 40th season in coaching. "To win this one this way at the end of the year is a great tribute to the kids and the coaching staff. So it's a great feeling."
No. 22 Florida State fell to 8-5, Bowden's worst season since 1981. Also concluding his 40th season as a head coach, he tried to shrug off the defeat.
"I told my kids, what a great game that was to build going into next year," Bowden said. "I think we're heading in the right direction."
Moments after the game ended, the two old friends came together, stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a crush of cameras and microphones and exchanged warm words.
"No animosity. No animosity. I mean that," Bowden said.
"Both teams played so hard," Paterno added.
"Both teams played as well as they could play," Bowden replied.
In a bowl season that started before Christmas and has included plenty of lackluster affairs, this one really was worth staying up for. And it served as a perfect warmup to the biggest game yet: No. 1 USC vs. No. 2 Texas in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Florida State mostly contained Big Ten MVP Michael Robinson, who threw a touchdown pass with six seconds left in the first half but was limited to 253 yards passing and 21 rushing. One scrum knocked off his helmet.
He hit two clutch completions to give Penn State a chance to win the game in regulation. But Kelly, hampered by a shaky hold, was wide left on a 29-yard field goal attempt with 35 seconds left. | http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2006/01/05/2003287592 | 798 |
The 2-1 New England Patriots will travel across the country to face the also 2-1 Oakland Raiders at the Coliseum this Sunday October 2nd, 2011 at 4:15 PM ET.
The line for this game is available at BetOnline Sportsbook and has the Patriots as 4.5 point favorites with a total of 55 for this game.
Sunday’s game matches the NFL’s top passing offense, led by Tom Brady’s 442.3 yards per game, against the No. 1 rushing attack with Darren McFadden, who leads the league with 131 yards per game. The Patriots however also rank dead last defending against the pass with 377 yards per game, with Oakland not far ahead at 28th, averaging 289.7 yards per game. Both teams combined have allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season.
The Patriots however rank 10th overall defending against the run; however they face their biggest challenge yet trying to contain Darren McFadden, which should also lead to plenty of man to man coverage, and with a secondary that is struggling should create plenty of opportunities for Jason Campbell to find Denarius Moore, and possibly Jacoby Ford.
Before we provide you with betting trends and give you our conclusions for this game, please take a look at some of the promotions that BetOnline brings you:
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If the NFL team you back fails to put one stinking point on the board by the time the final whistle blows, your bet will be refunded.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New England’s last 5 games
New England is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
New England is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New England’s last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New England’s last 9 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland’s last 7 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Oakland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland’s last 9 games when playing New England
Oakland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New England
Oakland will certainly pound the ball on the ground, as any team playing the Patriots would do in order to neutralize Tom Brady; however they cannot be one dimensional against a team that often plays with an early lead. This game certainly has shootout potential and plenty of scoring is obvious. At the end of the day, we believe the Patriots will be able to win this one and cover the spread.
Possibly Related Posts:
- 2013 Super Bowl XLVII Prediction: Ravens vs. 49ers Odds
- 2013 AFC Championship Game: Ravens vs. Patriots Prediction
- 2013 NFC Championship Game: 49ers vs. Falcons Prediction
- 2012 NFL Week 13 Predictions: Giants vs Redskins Betting Odds
- 2012 NFL Week 13 Predictions: Eagles vs Cowboys Betting Odds | http://www.talkprofootball.com/2011-nfl-week-4-predictions-patriots-vs-raiders-betting-odds/ | 730 |
May-Treanor, Walsh Win Gold in Gstaad
B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Phone: (719) 228-6800
@USA_Volleyball - @USAVBeach - USAV Facebook
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 7, 2012) – If the results in Gstaad are any indication, U.S. beach volleyball teams are peaking at exactly the right time.
With 20 days to go until the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the U.S. women’s beach team of Misty May-Treanor (Santa Monica, Calif.) and Kerri Walsh (San Jose, Calif.), seeded No. 6, picked up its first FIVB World Tour victory of the season Saturday as it defeated Netherlands’ fifth-seeded Sanne Keizer and Marleen Van Iersel, 21-10, 21-13 in 32 minutes in Gstaad, Switzerland.
On the men’s side, the U.S. teams of Phil Dalhausser (Ormond Beach, Calif.) and Todd Rogers (Santa Barbara, Calif.), who have won in Gstaad twice, will play compatriots Jake Gibb (Bountiful, Utah) and Sean Rosenthal (Redondo Beach, Calif.) in the semifinals on Sunday, guaranteeing the United States at least one medal.
All three U.S. teams will compete in London along with the women's team of Jennifer Kessy (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and April Ross (Costa Mesa, Calif.), who finished fifth in Gstaad.
In the women’s gold medal final, neither set was close as May-Treanor and Walsh built a comfortable cushion quickly in both sets. Keizer and Van Iersel seldom stopped May-Treanor’s attacks or Walsh’s blocks.
“It is first of all very exciting to play against such a young, fired-up team and to see them in the finals,” May-Treanor said in an FIVB press release. “We needed to stay balanced against the Dutch, they are always dangerous competitors. I am also happy to see the Netherlands, the Swiss and the USA on the podium. This makes a great picture. I would like to get used to it.
“It has been my very last world tour event here as a player. It is just so wonderful up here. I will come back in the crowd next time, cheering for Kerri.”
Walsh added, “I am first of all so proud of Misty. It was our last event before London and she just did a great job.
“Now we will go home and practice on things that will make is even better for London. It has been a frustrating season for us without a victory on the tour until today.”
In Saturday’s women’s semifinals, May-Treanor and Walsh overpowered Switzerland’s Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr in twin sets, 21-13, 21-14 in 34 minutes. May-Treanor and Walsh will share $43,500 for the victory.
In Saturday’s men’s quarterfinals, top-seeded Dalhausser and Rogers eliminated Brazil’s No. 5 Pedro Cunha and Ricardo Santos in a tough, three-set match, 21-18, 30-32, 15-10 in 1 hour, 14 minutes. The second set score (32-30) and the length of the match were both highs for the tournament.
“This tournament is one of my favorites,” Dalhausser said in an FIVB press release. “First of all because it is such a nice area, the mountains and the people are so nice here. I especially love the local food, in particular, ‘Birchermusli’ (sort of yogurt with fruits and cereals in it) – I grew up with this stuff, so a lot of memories come back when I am here about my first years as a child here in Switzerland.
“Tomorrow we will have a very, very tough match against Jake and Sean. They are very strong and want to knock us off of being No. 1 in the USA. We need to have a very solid, steady, good performance to beat them tomorrow. We have played them a lot, won a lot of matches against them, but almost all were very close from start to finish.”
No. 3-seeded Gibb and Rosenthal knocked off Brazil’s 23rd-seeded country quota, qualification tournament survivors Rhooney Ferramenta and Thiago Santos Barbosa, 21-17, 21-16 in 38 minutes.
Dalhausser and Rogers will play Gibb and Rosenthal in the Sunday’s second semifinal (2 a.m. PT) while Brazil’s second-seeded Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego will play Italy’s 13th-seeded Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai in the first semifinal (1 a.m. PT).
Dalhausser and Rogers are in their 54th FIVB World Tour event together and have earned their 42nd final four appearance, while Gibb and Rosenthal are in their 59th world tour event together and this is their 12th final four appearance. In the series between these two teams, Dalhausser and Rogers have a 14-5 advantage on the world tour.
Two of the last three times they met were in gold medal matches, both were won by Dalhausser and Rogers and both lasted over an hour and went three sets before a winner was decided. The meetings were last year in Quebec City, Canada and this year in Shanghai, China.
The U.S. team of Matt Fuerbringer (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Nick Lucena (Fort Lauderdale, Calif.), seeded No. 7, fell to Cerutti and Rego, 21-9, 21-19 in 37 minutes. Fuerbringer and Lucena finish fifth in Gstaad.
Complete information about the FIVB World Tour is available on the FIVB web site. | http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2012/July/07/MayTreanor-Walsh-Win-Gold-in-Gstaad.aspx | 1,305 |
A teenage athlete has overcome a campaign of intimidation including death threats to become the only female member of the team to represent Afghanistan at the Beijing Olympics.
- Telegraph TV: Afghan athletes' Olympic odyssey
- Full coverage of the build-up to the Beijing Olympics
Mehboba Ahdyar, a shy 19-year-old from Kabul, will face the worlds best 1,500-metre runners in August wearing a veil and a baggy tracksuit.
While she is unlikely to mount the winner's podium, few of her opponents will have endured such a perilous training regime to get them to the Games.
Training for Mehboba begins after nightfall. At 8.30pm, when Kabul residents are transfixed by the daily episode of the country's most popular soap opera, a racy Indian drama named Because a Mother-in-Law was Once a Daughter-in-Law Too, Mehboba slips out of her house in a poor suburb and starts running.
She runs up and down the streets for the duration of the programme. It is the only time when, as a woman, she can supplement her official training sessions without threats or harassment.
She recently had to destroy the Sim card on her mobile phone because the number had become known to fundamentalists who bombarded her with death threats.
"They say that they will not leave me alive," she said, with a shrug.
Mehboba, whose father scrapes a living as a carpenter, is a devout Muslim and insists that if she is forced to wear the sort of figure-hugging kit favoured by other international athletes she will not take part.
But such dedication to her faith has not prevented further intimidation. After a Western journalist visited her house this week a rumour spread that she was entertaining foreign men as a prostitute.
Mehboba received a visit from the police, while her family were warned that they might have to leave their house.
In spite of the taunts and death threats, she insists she will run for national pride.
"I will compete against heroes," she said, although she could not name any of the world's leading middle-distance runners. "We have trained for three years. I hope for a medal or at least to break Afghanistan's record."
Her personal best is a full minute outside the 1,500-metre world record, but she has beaten all comers in national competitions.
Three times a week she and her fellow Olympian, Masood Azizi, a 20-year-old sprinter, train for three hours at the national stadium, a concrete track around the field where the Taliban used to perform public executions.
Mehboba and Azizi, along with a wrestler and a Taekwondo competitor will today fly to Malaysia for five months of intensive training to give the four-athlete team their best shot at Olympic glory.
Mehboba was excited and nervous. "I have never left the country," she said, "except for a refugee camp in Pakistan." | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1583198/Afghan-girl-defies-death-threats-over-Olympics.html | 628 |
LINDSAY DAVENPORT kept herself on course to reach tomorrow's final of the Britannic Asset Management International Championships by defeating Sylvia Farina Elia, the No 6 seed from Italy, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Fellow American Chanda Rubin, who overcame Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-4, will provide her next hurdle.
There was early evidence of Davenport's lack of recent competition as she moved sluggishly and her shots lacked conviction. But Davenport eventually settled and she struck the ball far more positively.
"I'm not exactly match-tough right now," she admitted. "I'm a little slow and it took me a while to get into the match. I was just hitting the ball around without a real game plan. But pretty soon I was able to turn it around and start controlling the points and find my rhythm a lot better."
There is unrest at Eastbourne, not only among the public, who have complained about a lack of star names and even a lack of matches to watch, but also from the players. Rubin, usually a mild-mannered soul, was left seething when she discovered she had been scheduled to play the first match yesterday after playing the final singles match on Wednesday.
Because all the preceding matches went to three sets, she had finally got off court at around 7.30pm.
"It's disappointing because I've come to this tournament year after year, supporting the tournament and doing everything I could in a positive way," said Rubin. "I feel they don't look out for the players. I made my protest, very loudly."
BRITANNIC ASSET MANAGEMENT WOMEN'S CH'SHIP (Eastbourne).- Qtr-finals: C Rubin (US) bt L Raymond (US) 6-4, 6-4; L Davenport (US) bt S Farina Elia 3-6, 6-2, 6-1; E Likhovtseva (Russia) bt T Tanasugarn (Thailand) 6-3, 6-1; M Serna (Spain) by M Shaughnessy 6-0, 7-6 (7-3). | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3007706/Britannic-Championships-Davenport-finds-her-old-rhythm.html | 465 |
Feb. 10, 2012
The game marked the fifth all-time between the two schools as Northwestern now leads the series with a 3-2 advantage.
The loss dropped the Red Raiders to 10-2 all-time at the Kajikawa Classic under head coach Shanon Hays. It marked Tech's first loss at the event since falling to Auburn, 6-1, in 2010.
Tech's seven walks issued in the game were its most since the Red Raiders issued a school record 10 to Arizona last year in the finale of the NCAA Tucson Regional.
Ryba also had another strong performance at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI. The junior is the only Tech player to have at least two hits in both games so far.
Adriana Perez drove in two runs from the DP spot as the junior now has 3 RBI through two games this year. She finished 1-for-3 at the plate.
Despite only going six innings, the game last 2 hours and 32 minutes.
Tech's three errors in the game marked the school's most since also committing three against New Mexico State last year in the opener of the NCAA Tucson Regional.
Tech's 14 runs surrendered were its most since giving up 18 to Texas in consecutive games last year. | http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021012aad.html | 264 |
Abdullah ‘happy’ to reward Raina with a plotApril 4th, 2011 - 3:25 pm ICT by IANS
Jammu, April 4 (IANS) Indian cricketer Sueresh Raina, whose family originally hails from Srinagar’s Rainawari area, may get a residential plot in the Jammu and Kashmir capital if Chief Minister Omar Abdullah takes his Twitter message seriously.
Raina was part of Team India that won the Cricket World Cup in Mumbai Saturday.
A hint to this effect was given by Abdullah in his tweet, when it was brought to his notice that Raina, born in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad in 1986, was a Kashmiri Pandit much before they fled the Valley.
“Really,” Abdullah wondered over the tweet sent to him by another Kashmiri, Pandit Aditya Raj Kaul.
And then he went on to add: “I’d love to have him play for J&K.; We need a mascot & the state would be happy to reward a plot in Srinagar also.”
The chief minister has sought other details about the player and his Kashmir connection. “Raina” is one of the major surnames among Kashmiri Pandits.
- Omar takes a dig at Pakistan - Jul 26, 2011
- Kashmiri Pandit woman wins panchayat poll, wants migrants to return - May 10, 2011
- Omar lauds Rahul reaction to shoe throwing - Jan 23, 2012
- Omar hails liberalised travel across divided Kashmir - Jul 27, 2011
- Omar talks to Chouhan on Kashmiri student - Jan 22, 2012
- Kashmir Pandit leaders slam Omar's statements - Oct 09, 2010
- PM visiting Jammu and Kashmir Friday - Mar 04, 2011
- For Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims, Shivratri bridges a gap - Feb 20, 2012
- Curfew in parts of Srinagar following Mirwaiz assault - Nov 26, 2010
- US ambassador visits Kashmir, takes Dal Lake boat ride (Second Lead) - Mar 17, 2011
- Hindu-Muslim amity at Kashmir shrine - Jun 09, 2011
- Restrictions in Srinagar to foil separatist march - Jul 13, 2011
- PM in Jammu for daylong visit - Mar 04, 2011
- NC in dilemma over Afzal Guru clemency resolution - Sep 19, 2011
- Omar believes IPL5 inaugural was 'tacky' - Apr 04, 2012 | http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/abdullah-happy-to-reward-raina-with-a-plot_100521929.html | 525 |
The Oscar for best time slot? NASCAR!
LIFE IN THE TURN LANE
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009
The next two weekends are, I believe, particularly important for NASCAR in a lot of ways.
Last year's Daytona 500 went pretty well. The season got off to a pretty good start with the 50th running of the sport's biggest race and there was some momentum as we headed out West to Auto Club Speedway and then on to Las Vegas.
Then, the California race weekend was a disaster. A combination of bad luck with the weather, bad decisions by NASCAR and just plain bad leadership by the people running the California track made for a simply awful weekend that lasted well into the evening on Monday with both the Nationwide and Cup series races being completed on that day.
Then came Las Vegas, where Carl Edwards won but then faced major penalties for a rules violation and Jeff Gordon had a scary wreck that exposed a weakness in the safety features that had been left incomplete when the Vegas track was redone. SAFER barriers were not in place on the wall that Gordon's car hit, and thankfully safety features of the new car helped prevent him from serious injury.
This year's season didn't get off to as good of a start as last year's did. The rain-shortened Daytona 500 left a lot of questions that fans would like to see answered. A lot of what happened was out of anyone's control, but the fact that the 500 started at 3:40 p.m. is not one of those things. The late start limited options on resuming the race after a rain delay and NASCAR needs to look very seriously at starting its races earlier as a result of the lessons taught by what happened Sunday evening.
That's why the start time for Sunday's race at California makes absolutely no sense. The start time is listed at 3 p.m. Pacific time, which is 6 p.m. Eastern. The green flag will probably more in the 6:15-6:20 range. That's pitiful.
There's no reason to start a race that late in the Pacific time zone, especially this weekend. The race won't be half over when the Academy Awards show comes on television. Why would Fox want to compete with the Oscars for viewers? I know you're thinking there's not a big crossover audience, but the idea of moving races around to get more viewers is to attract people who wouldn't automatically be inclined to watch. That's not happening against the Oscars.
It's like NASCAR is tone deaf. Fans are SCREAMING about the late time starts. Television networks pay a lot of money to the sport and their wishes should be considered. But those wishes shouldn't be outright commands. There's a balance and right now I think NASCAR's on the wrong side of the scale.
It's also important that we see some good racing over the next two weekends.
The car of tomorrow isn't going away, and the teams are still learning about it. But given the state of things in the NASCAR economy right now, two straight weeks of races where the leader can't be touched is the absolute worst thing the sport needs right now.
There is intrigue going into these two races. Without testing, nobody really knows how good any team is going to be. It could be that a team or two has found something in the offseason that will be so good they will even be surprised at how well their cars go. Other teams might try things that don't work. That could jumble things up, and NASCAR needs something like that.
NASCAR needs in the worst way two weekends' worth of nice weather, good racing and compelling storylines from its inital trip West this season. | http://www.thatsracin.com/2009/02/19/3856/the-oscar-for-best-time-slot-nascar.html | 757 |
Beyond the ACCtion: Behind the Scenes at Operation Basketball #ACCopbk
Oct. 20, 2010
Just thought we would share some of what you might not see from today's event. Hope you find this somewhat informative...
The 2010 ACC Operation Basketball is winding down, but not without a little drama. (Isn’t life more interesting when there is some drama, though?) When the media’s preseason predicted order of finish was released, there was one (1) little point that did not go unnoticed. There was some surprise that defending ACC and NCAA champion was not a unanimous favorite… one first-place vote went to North Carolina. Now you could write it off as a “Duke Hater” among the media, even Coach Williams laughed that it must have been a North Carolina grad that doesn’t like Duke, but that would be too easy.
Apparently the “voter” made an error on his ballot and even joked to someone else when the poll was released, “Who was the idiot who voted UNC first?” Alas, a vote is a vote and all ballots had been counted. Time to evaluate the results and move on. If you want to give the “voter” his 15 minutes of fame, go ahead.
And really, in the grand scheme of things, the preseason polls and accolades are really just fuel for the fire to give us all something to discuss, another way to keep ACC Basketball on your mind.
But also take it as a reminder when you go to the polls in November 2 to pay attention to who you vote for because that ballot carries a lot more weight.
The players and coaches were welcomed with a red-carpet treatment...
Even the cupcakes were in the ACC Operation Basketball spirit at ESPNU... Yummy!
When I found out that I was going to spend the most of the Operation Basketball at the ESPNU headquarters, the first thing that came to mind was those oh-so-popular ESPN commercials. You know the ones... shot in the Bristol offices with key sports figures in various roles and participating in numerous antics.
Granted, this is the smaller, southern-style version, nestled in the southeast outskirts of Charlotte. It still has a flavor of what we see in 30-second snippets from Bristol, especially today with a red carpet lining the entrance, the need for a "press pass" to enter the building and halls filled with a bustle of activity, familiar-faced commentators, a slew of production employees and volunteer hosts decked out in golf shirts of the 12 ACC schools.
To give you an idea of just how much is going on, check out the sign just inside the entrance which illustrates that point. | http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102010aac.html | 564 |
Linda Pearce and Greg Baum Victoria Azarenka's coach Sam Sumyk was proud, blunt, and rather angry.
Greg Baum There could be only one, and Li Na had all the numbers on her side as she was recently predicted to draw more tourists to Australia than Oprah.
Greg Baum It's just un-Australian, this lack of respect for our Open from you overseas types.
Greg Baum The Australian Athlete Adoption Agency has been working harder than ever at Melbourne Park this week.
Greg Baum Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic played two of the best remembered matches of recent times at the Australian Open.
Greg Baum Last weekend, it was falsely reported that no Australians had made it into the second week of the Australian Open. Yesterday - Australia Day - they were everywhere.
Greg Baum The women's singles finalists have brought a breath of fresh air.
Greg Baum There were two sentimental favourites at Melbourne Park last night, but only one available prize. | http://www.theage.com.au/sport/people/kim-clijsters/by/greg-baum | 212 |
The conservative shock jock asks a bizarre "Christmas question"
A familiar set of questions is being asked after a 72-foot catamaran belonging to Artemis Racing capsized in the San Francisco Bay, trapping a British sailor underwater for ten minutes on Thursday afternoon.
What the golfer's taste in women says about his character
Sports nuts favor some unexpected candidates for best college football player of the year
Livebloggers and Tweeters go hog-wild over America's felicitous grouping
The league is finally doing something about concussions, but is it enough?
If so, pundits say the famous couple owes America an explanation--and wife Elin Nordegren should pay for the crime
The Fighting Irish lose a football coach, and all the blame is falling on the university
The tennis star gets handed punishment for her U.S. Open outburst.
An odd early morning accident outside the pro golfer's home spurs speculation about his health
Whether in the backyard or on your TV, football may not be worth it this year.
For Americans, neophytes, and soccer lovers, a recap of an epic week in the world's biggest sport
How did baseball's triumphant team make it back to the top?
The first American to win the NYC Marathon since 1982 is an Eritrean immigrant. Is the victory any less sweet?
Recapping the NFL Commissioner's Congressional testimony on brain damage.
With 26 championships under their belt, here's why the winningest team in baseball is prepared to win...again
Basketball lovers offer solutions to the problems with professional basketball's age limit
Columnists greet news of brutal violence with temperance
Left-wing laughter erupts as the St. Louis Rams reject Rush Limbaugh's bid
After a century-long break, golf rejoins the Olympics, delighting some of the sport's best players
Rush Limbaugh's bid to become the owner of the NFL's most woebegone team finds few fans
Five reasons that the decision to reject the Windy City's bid is for the best
Ambivalence greets the president's push to bring the 2016 games to his adopted hometown of Chicago
The President sends his better half to make the case for the Windy City, but not everyone agrees it should get the games
Melanie Oudin, the 17-year-old Georgia phenom, has stolen Roger Federer's spotlight and commentators' hearts at the U.S. Open
Will the sport ever be the same? Could they be even greater?
Have a story we missed? A link we have to click? A sharp opinion about the news? Instead of waiting for us to post it, tell us on the Open Wire.Submit your news and ideas | See all reader posts | http://www.theatlanticwire.com/topics/sports/?page=13 | 562 |
Radcliffe Will Open Gym Next Month, Receives $400,000 From Kresge Fund
The newly constructed Radcliffe Quadrangle Recreational Athletic Center--bolstered by a $400,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation--will open in late October, President Horner said yesterday.
Harvard will receive the Kresge "challenge" grant only when the University collects the remainder of the $2.25 million needed for construction of the gym, Horner said.
The gym has been a target of community opposition since the fall of 1977, when Observatory Hill residents petitioned to delay construction of the center. Construction began in September of 1978.
Lewis A. Armistead, Community Relations representative, said yesterday there have been no objections to the construction of the center since last fall.
President Horner said many of those who objected to the proposed construction of the center are now enthusiastic about its appearance.
Susan Storey Lyman '49, chairman of the Radcliffe Board of Trustees, said Radcliffe attempted to ensure that the building blended in with its surrounding area. "I'm very thrilled and excited about the results," she said.
The center houses four single squash courts, two double squash courts convertible for handball and raquetball, a large court for basketball, volleyball and tennis, a Universal gym, outdoor tennis courts, and locker rooms.
"The building is really quite spectacular," President Horner said, adding the center is scheduled to open October 25.
The campaign for funding of the athletic center is part of Radcliffe's Century Fund Drive.
Lyman headed a committee of Observatory Hill residents and Radcliffe administrators and alumnae to oversee the construction of the center and to ensure it merged well with the surrounding area.
Lyman said the building is well suited for the area, with the squash courts and much of the center built into the hill.
A committee of students, alumnae, and House Masters and other staff appointed by President Horner in 1973 concluded that the center was needed for those Quad residents who often made the long trek to the IAB. | http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1979/9/10/radcliffe-will-open-gym-next-month/ | 433 |
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes says spread teams often score quickly, so their defense are on the field more. "When you go up-tempo (on offense), your defense is going to have to play more plays. That's just the way it is," Dykes told USA TODAY Sports. / Troy Taormi, US Presswire
Sonny Dykes has a polarizing problem.
As the head football coach at Louisiana Tech, Dykes has built the best offense in the country, ranked first out of 120 major college teams in total yards per game. But he also oversees the nation's worst defense â?? 120th out of 120 teams.
"It's kind of a weird correlation that sometimes happens," said Dykes, whose team is 9-2.
It's become a tradition of sorts for coaches like him. Opinions vary as to why, but many of the most ballyhooed masterminds of offense seem to have an inverse relationship with their defense. For them, the biggest obstacle to success is not the opponent's defense â?? it's their own.
And not just this year. When coach John Jenkins employed the run-and-shoot offense at Houston in 1990, his team finished No. 1 nationally in offense but 103rd out of 106 major college teams on defense. In 1998, Louisville cranked up its passing attack under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to finish No. 1 in total offense. On defense, the Cardinals ranked 110th out of 112 teams.
This year, four teams that spread the field on offense rank in the top nine in total offense while also ranking 114th or worse in total defense -- Louisiana Tech, Baylor (5-5), Arizona (7-4) and West Virginia (5-5).
Coaches offer theories ranging from cultural issues to practice habits -- to doubt that any reasonable correlation exists.
"I'm not saying it doesn't exist," said Mike Leach, another spread offense guru and head coach at Washington State. "I don't think it's the result of the offense."
Yet Leach's teams have fallen victim to it, too, the most pronounced example coming in 2003, when his team at Texas Tech finished No. 1 in offense and 106th out of 117 teams in defense.
Leach has considered at least one possibility â?? that defenses might get "lazy" if they know their offense is capable of scoring lots of points. In this scenario, some defenders might think it's OK to give up 30 because they believe offense can score 40.
"I've wondered that at times, and I certainly hope that's not true," Leach told USA TODAY Sports.
Across college football, there are various explanations offered for the wide variance between the offensive and defensive rankings of some spread teams. For every defensive coach who sees it one way, an offensive coach thinks just the opposite.
The preparation theory
San Diego State coach Rocky Long is a defensive specialist. To him, it's about preparation. If a defense is constantly going up against a spread offense in practice, Long believes it won't be equipped to face more conventional offenses in games -- especially opponents that run more of a power running game.
Defending the spread requires good open-field tackling. Defending a power run attack requires fighting off blockers.
"It's a completely different mentality going against the spread than you have going against traditional offenses," Long told USA TODAY Sports. "If you're going against a spread offense every day in practice, you don't get to work on the techniques of taking on blockers. You get the wrong leverage and give up big plays (in games)."
Dykes doesn't agree.
"If you polled 100 offensive coaches about that, not one would agree," Dykes says. "But you could ask 100 defensive coaches about that,and almost all of them would agree."
And it doesn't explain why defenses that face spread teams in practice still have trouble with other spread teams in games.
When West Virginia played Baylor Sept. 29, the Mountaineers won. But defense lost -- the final score was 70-63.
The 'shootout' theory
Many spread teams play without a huddle and use little time to score. That can force their defense to be on the field for more plays, wearing them down and leaving them vulnerable as the game goes on.
West Virginia, Louisiana Tech, Arizona and Baylor rank 88th, 98th, 105th and 119th in time of possession this year. On average, their defenses are on the field about two to five minutes per game longer than their offense.
"When you go up-tempo (on offense), your defense is going to have to play more plays," Dykes said. "That's just the way it is."
Leach doesn't agree that it's all the fault of a spread offense. If the spread team's defense forced the other team's offense to punt right away, that defense wouldn't be on the field as long.
In this case, West Virginia, Louisiana Tech, Arizona and Baylor all are poor at making stops, according to their yardage per play allowed. Each gives up about six yards per play to rank among the nation's worst in that category, compared to 3.67 yards per play for Florida State, the nation's best defense.
"If the defense wants to get off the field, stop 'em (opposing offenses)," Leach says. "Offenses don't need rest? Only defenses do? That's just lunacy, but somehow that idea caught on."
Another factor is that spread teams can quickly build leads -- of two or three touchdowns or more -- which forces the other team's offense to take more risks and throw the ball to catch up. Lots of points and yardage can pile up.
"Other teams realize they have to score points (when they play spread teams)," Dykes said. "You see a more aggressive approach from other teams' offenses as a result."
The culture theory
Many offensive-minded head coaches today are strategists who tend to bury their noses in playbooks and game film. They moved up the career ladder because of their X's and O's on offense â?? not because they know much about the toughness required to build an aggressive defense. This can create a culture in which scoring points and finesse define the team more than smacking the other team in the mouth.
Leach labels this theory "defensive propaganda."
Still, many offensive guru head coaches leave all defensive coaching duties to their assistants. And some of those coaches have mixed feelings about the spread, according to a recent survey of nearly 200 defensive coaches by X&O Labs, a football research company for coaches. The respondents were allowed to answer the survey without being identified and mostly came from the high school ranks.
Some said it helped their defense to go against a spread offense in daily practices because it helps them prepare for other spread offenses in games. Others said that being a defense on a spread team is a disadvantage.
"I think it makes us soft on defense from a contact standpoint," one coach said.
Another wrote, "Anytime the thought pattern is, 'Let's just outscore them,' a defensive coordinator dies inside."
The personnel theory
Some offensive-minded head coaches also favor offense in recruiting players. In his first recruiting class at Michigan in February 2008, Rich Rodriguez signed 24 players -- 15 on offense. He later recruited more heavily on defense but was fired after the 2010 season, when his team ranked eighth in the country in total offense but 110th in defense.
This year at Arizona, Rodriguez's team ranks eighth in offense, 114th in defense.
But having a good spread offense and a good defense on the same team is not mutually exclusive.
Two top spread teams -- Oregon (10-1) and Texas A&M (9-2) -- rank in the top 5 in total offense and bottom 25 in time of possession. Their defenses rank 47th and 49th respectively -- not great but not terrible.
If the defense has enough good players, it'll make stops and prevent scores. Some coaches believe that defenses need premium athletic talent more than offenses.
"The more coaches you talk to these days, good defenses are about having good personnel," Dykes said. "You'd don't necessarily need the best personnel to have a good offense."
Louisiana Tech's offense is full of players that were not recruited by other Division I teams, but it succeeds because of the system and scheme, not speed and brawn. On defense, speed and brawn are more necessary for success.
If a team doesn't have those kinds of players, its offense might be its best defense by default.
Two weeks ago, defenses weren't a factor when Louisiana Tech beat Texas State, 62-55. Tech gave up another touchdown with 1:07 remaining but won the game by hanging onto the ball long enough to run out the clock -- keeping its defense on the sideline.
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com
Read the original story: Why do some top spread teams struggle on defense? | http://www.thedailyjournal.com/usatoday/article/1720919&usatref=sportsmod?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cp | 1,874 |
Maryland rallied with a 23-4 run in the final nine minutes to beat Denver 62-52 Thursday.
Maryland ends DU's NIT run with 62-52 victory
Last Updated: 58 days ago
COLLEGE PARK, Md -
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | http://www.thedenverchannel.com/sports/college-sports/maryland-rallied-with-a-23-4-run-in-the-final-nine-minutes-to-beat-denver-62-52-thursday | 75 |
NEW BREMEN — It was another defensive physical game for the New Bremen Cardinals basketball team and they came away with a 60-48 victory over the New Knoxville Rangers Friday in a Midwest Athletic Conference contest played at New Bremen.
New Bremen built a 29-12 halftime lead, as they won their ninth straight game and trail only MAC unbeaten St. Henry in the conference standings.
OTTAWA — The St. Marys wrestling team finished off an 8-1 run through the Western Buckeye League dual matches with a pair of wins against Ottawa-Glandorf and Van Wert on Thursday night at Robert J. Hermiller Gymnasium in Ottawa.
The Roughriders drubbed Ottawa-Glandorf 77-3 in the opening match and then beat Van Wert, 50-22, in their WBL dual match finale.
“We wrestled pretty well most of the time,” St. Marys head coach Larry Gruber said.
ST. MARYS — Coldwater built a 14-point halftime lead and then held off St. Marys’ second-half run to post a 46-37 road win on Saturday at Memorial High School.
Coldwater won its 10th game of the season and won its fourth straight.
The Cavaliers appeared to be sailing towards that victory until St. Marys turned to full-court pressure in the second half and whittled the Cavalier lead down to 31-26 by scoring the first nine points of the second half. Coldwater committed five turnovers in the first three minutes of the third quarter. | http://www.theeveningleader.com/category/sports/local-sports?page=9&quicktabs_2=0&mini=calendar-date1%2F2013-03 | 330 |
- Special Sections
- Public Notices
County foes Lancaster and Andrew Jackson meet for the third time this season, with the girls' championship in the Comporium Christmas Classic at AJ High on the line.
The Lady Bruins and Lady Vols tangle at 7 p.m. today.
AJ advanced with a 51-43 win over North Central and the Lady Bruins, who have defeated AJ twice during regular-season play, earned a title game bid with a 54-40 win over Great Falls.
In the AJ win, the Lady Vols held a 25-23 lead at the break, but took control in the third period to take a 40-31 lead on the Lady Knights.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Lancaster News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
If you are new to the award winning Lancaster News and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account. | http://www.thelancasternews.com/content/aj-lhs-battle-girls-title?mini=calendar-date%2F2012-12 | 232 |
Spectators and participants are well served by facilities with the country now host to a number of high-profile events.
A vital piece in a jigsaw carefully constructed by Abu Dhabi’s sporting hierarchy fell into place earlier this year at Emirates Palace. Securing stopover rights for the Volvo Ocean Race over the new year of 2011-2012 completed the much sought-after package of “air, land and sea” international sporting events. “This is a great day in the campaign to establish Abu Dhabi’s credentials in the world sporting arena,” said Mubarak al Muhairi, the director general of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), as he signed an agreement to host the elite of the sailing fraternity when they arrive in the UAE on completion of the second leg of their round-the-world race.
On land, of course, is Formula One. The inaugural Grand Prix at the end of last year was a glittering highlight of the sporting calendar, silencing those who said that the Yas Marina Circuit couldn’t be finished on time. The showpiece occasion, when Germany’s new hero Sebastian Vettel led home his New Zealand teammate Mark Webber for a Red Bull one-two, proved historic in providing F1 with its first day-night race.
The “air” leg of the air, land and sea project was fulfilled when ADTA persuaded the Red Bull Air Race to touch down in the capital. Not content with just bringing the global flying circus to the city, the tourism authority’s chiefs wanted their own piece of the action. Consequently, the Austrian flying ace Hannes Arch, the world champion of 2008, has assumed the title of the Flying Falcon, bedecked with team colours in the distinctive Team Abu Dhabi Edge 540 plane. It’s not just the ambitious air, land and sea initiative that has put Abu Dhabi on the global sporting map, however, and the UAE as a whole is home to international tournaments in major sports such as golf, tennis, horse racing and cricket.
Football is the most popular sport in the country with the national league called the Pro League.
Abu Dhabi played host to the Club World Cup in 2009, when FC Barcelona took a dramatic victory over Estudiantes de la Plata, the champions of South America. At the end of this year, Inter Milan, who beat Bayern Munich in the recent Champions League final, will be the stars of the repeat performance in what promises to be another magnificent occasion in the capital.
The sport that promises to do most of all in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as an action holiday destination is golf. Until this year, the capital was outshone by its neighbour Dubai, but the opening of the seaside courses at Saadiyat Beach and Yas Links to accompany the well-established National Course presents golfers with a top-quality holiday itinerary.
Abu Dhabi has been enthusiastically seeking to provide a warm-weather base for a variety of other sports. Cricket’s Zayed Stadium has been home to the Pakistani players, deprived of international cricket in their own country because of ongoing security issues. Tennis gained a significant foothold at the start of 2009 with the launch of a star-studded exhibition tournament, won in its inaugural year by Andy Murray and captured this year by Rafael Nadal.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship programme was also staged recently at Yas Marina. A magnet for fans of no-holds-barred combat, the “Invincible” show in April had thousands battling to claim the high-priced tickets.
Finally, the 2009 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia was held in Abu Dhabi, and saw the UAE beat Thailand in the final. It was a triumph on the capital's ice. Yes, ice. With the population coming from all corners of the globe there is also thriving recreational sports scene, and whether you prefer team sports, adventure sports, individual pursuits or personal fitness, there really is likely to be something for you, and it could even be on ice. | http://www.thenational.ae/guide/social/sport/introduction | 830 |
Darrell Bevell has a problem that most offensive coordinators won’t complain about.
Since the Seattle Seahawks signed Percy Harvin and added him to a group of receivers that includes Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin — along with tight end Zach Miller and running back Marshawn Lynch — Bevell has to figure out how to spread the ball around to keep all those playmakers happy.
“The only problem right now is we only have one ball,” Bevell said with a laugh.
Bevell started the spread-the-wealth process this week, working to devise schemes that best suit Harvin’s skills in Seattle’s offense.
Harvin led the Vikings in receptions through nine games last season, with 62 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns. That put him among the league leaders before he suffered a severe ankle sprain against Seattle.
Sidney Rice led the Seahawks in receptions with 50 catches for 748 yards and seven touchdown in 16 games during the regular season. Seattle threw the ball a league-low 25 times a game last season, so Bevell will have to increase the passing attempts for quarterback Russell Wilson to meet the expectations of his talented group of receivers.
“We’ve got a lot of weapons that we get to work with,” Bevell said. “And a lot of different skill sets, with a variety of guys. So it’s going to be fun devising that plan and using the strength that each one of those guys have to get them the ball.”
Bevell said one of the things Seattle will have to balance during the offseason is being innovative with new offensive schemes, including the further development of the zone read option, but not adopting so much new stuff that the offense bogs down.
“That’s always the fine line that we’re trying to walk — put enough in that we’re able to have enough variety, but then not overload the players” he said. “The problem is, you can’t go by your smartest and easiest guy to process information. You’ve kind of got to go to the other end, because you need all 11 guys playing as fast as they can. So we need to make sure that we don’t overload the other guys as well. Just because (Wilson) may be able to do something, some of the other guys might not be able to come along with him.”
Bevell served as offensive coordinator for Minnesota during Harvin’s first two seasons in the league. So it’s no surprise that Seattle head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider consulted him before making the trade.
“Both John and Coach Carroll came in on numerous occasions, and asked me about Percy in a lot of different ways,” he said. “What he could bring to us, what kind of guy he is, how is he in the locker room — all of the questions that they wanted answered.
“I have nothing but great things to say about Percy. I had a great time with him. Obviously he was a great player for us. He was Rookie of the Year for us … . He can do so many things. Him and I, our relationship is great.”
Bevell acknowledged that Harvin had “a couple of issues” with former Minnesota head coach Brad Childress while Bevell was with the Vikings.
However, Bevell thought the incident with Harvin and current Minnesota head coach Leslie Frazier caught on video during the game at Seattle last November was more bark than bite.
“I think that was a little bit overblown with the one case that happened on TV,” Bevell said. “He’s had some issues in his past, but with me he was great. I think the lines of communication are open. And I think coach Carroll does a great job of how he handles his team as well. I don’t foresee us having any issues with him.”
OBOMANU SET FREE?
Seahawks receiver Ben Obomanu announced via Twitter that he will be released by the team.
“#Seattle it’s been grt! 7th rd pick & 7 good years for #87! Now for an opportunity to play and continue to live my dream. Thanks #12Man,” Obomanu wrote via his Twitter account.
The Seahawks have not confirmed Obomanu’s release.
Obomanu later told KJR-AM that he will indeed be released by Seattle.
“We agreed to allow me to join the free agent pool now instead of possibly waiting around through training camp,” Obomanu said.
Obomanu was scheduled to make $2.3 million in base salary in 2013 in the final year of a three-year extension. But with the addition of Harvin, Obomanu would have been the fifth receiver on Seattle’s roster at best, which made his salary a prohibitive luxury for Seattle to keep.
The Seahawks will save about $2.5 million in cap space by releasing Obomanu.
By letting him go now, the Seahawks allow Obomanu a chance to catch on with another team.
Obomanu, 29, finished 2012 on injured reserve with a wrist issue. He thought he could have came back had Seattle given him the chance. Known for his toughness, versatility and special teams skills, Obomanu finished his career in Seattle with 87 receptions for 1,209 yards and seven touchdowns. | http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/16/2516272/will-bevell-find-way-to-get-ball.html?storylink=rss_xml | 1,158 |
Depth, health dogging Illini ahead of La. Tech
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Since he arrived at Illinois last year, coach Tim Beckman has said his team's biggest shortcoming is a lack of depth.
Three games into the season, the situation has only gotten worse.
Illinois (2-1) was missing several starters and key contributors on each side of the ball Saturday in a 44-0 win over Charleston Southern. They included quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, center Graham Pocic and running back Jason Ferguson, all starters.
``Guys in shorts and shirts on the sideline, this is the most I've ever been around in my entire life,'' the 47-year-old Beckman said Monday.
And after running the team through its first practice of the week on Sunday, Beckman wasn't overly optimistic any of them will play Saturday against Louisiana Tech.
``I can't say that anybody for sure right now (will be back),'' he said. ``We've had good treatment sessions this morning. That'll have to be determined as we go.''
While missing any offensive starter would present a problem, it's the defensive absences that could lead to trouble against the Bulldogs. Safeties Steve Hull and Suppo Sanni and linebacker Houston Bates were all out against Charleston Southern. Another linebacker who was competing for a starting spot in the preseason, Henry Dickinson, is out for the year.
Louisiana Tech (2-0) is scoring 56 points a game, third best in the country. The Bulldogs, like the Arizona State team that punished Illinois in the season opener, move at high speed and squeeze in, on average, 83 offensive snaps a game.
``The thing that we're dealing with is depth, and being able to substitute players,'' Beckman said. ``Players are going to have to step up and play.''
Injuries have created openings so far this year for younger players like freshman linebacker Mason Monheim, who started for Bates last Saturday and had an interception that set up a touchdown.
But the Illini are relying on youth a lot more than they'd like. Before last Saturday's game, Illinois' defensive depth chart of players likely to play included 11 freshmen and sophomores.
``We have some youth on our depth chart, no question about it,'' Beckman said.
Against the Bulldogs, possession could give that thin Illinois defense an edge. But Scheelhaase's injury - an ankle sprain that's now kept him out for more than nine straight quarters - and the team's limited ability so far to consistently run the ball make Illinois' offense an unknown. The Illini are averaging 153 rushing yards a game, 70th in the country. And that stat is even padded by a 231-yard night at Arizona State.
Sophomore Reilly O'Toole started in Scheelhaase's place last week, threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns. But that was against a Football Championship Subdivision team that was seriously outmanned by Big Ten talent. In the 45-14 loss at Arizona State, O'Toole was 10-14 for 54 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Scheelhaase, a junior who has been the starter for parts of the past three seasons, has practiced in each week since the injury against Western Michigan. And last week he said he thought he would play against Charleston Southern before Beckman eventually ruled him out.
The first-year Illinois coach says if Scheelhaase would have been healthy enough to play, he would have.
``We're not being cautious with anybody. He just wasn't ready,'' Beckman said. ``We're not going to put anybody out there who isn't ready.''
Follow David Mercer on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DavidMercerAP | http://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/articles/342729-depth-health-dogging-illini-ahead-of-la-tech | 783 |
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC kept up their part of the bargain with a comprehensive win over UCD tonight.
The title-hopefuls hammered the Students 5-0 at Richmond Park tonight, to try to keep some pressure on champions-elect Sligo Rovers, who remain five points clear with a game in hand.
Jake Kelly opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Vinny Faherty hit a second-half hat-trick, with Anto Flood also striking after 72 minutes.
Elsewhere, Drogheda United saw off Shelbourne 2-1 at Hunky Dorys Park. Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien scored from the spot for the home side midway through the first period. Ryan Brennan doubled the hosts’ advantage before Philly Gorman pulled one back for Shels in the dying minutes.
But Drogheda held on for the win and stay four points behind Pat’s, having played a game less. | http://www.thescore.ie/airtricity-league-wins-for-saints-and-drogheda-618649-Oct2012/ | 204 |
Queen's Park 0 Rangers 1
ROBBIE CRAWFORD reckons Rangers can stay unbeaten in the league till the end of the season — and wrap up the quickest title EVER in Scottish football.
Wideman Crawford helped Gers chalk up their tenth win on the trot against Queen’s Park on Saturday.
It moves Ally McCoist’s men 15 points clear at the top of the Third Division with 19 games still to play.
Morton hold the record for winning the earliest championship after sewing up the Second Division on March 14, 1964.
Now after struggling past Queen’s Crawford hopes Gers can challenge that 49-year best by avoiding any more losses this term.
He said: “Can we go unbeaten from now on? I don’t see why not. We’ve got a squad that’s settling down and I think the players are getting to know each other. So I don’t see why not.
“I wouldn’t say we think the league’s won already.
“I think we still need to work hard and see where it takes us. But we’re not going to take our foot off now.
“We want to get the league won as soon as possible and that record is a good incentive. But we won’t worry about that too much. Just as long as we get the three points each week.”
Ton’s celebrations — after they lost just one league game — were the earliest since World War One, when the leagues and season times were reconstructed. East Fife came close to bettering it in 2008 when they won the Third Division with six games to spare on March 15.
Rangers have also twice won titles with six games left — the 1963 old First Division and 2000 SPL, which they won by 21 points.
But Queen of the South also have their eye on the benchmark — they have amassed two more points than Rangers this season in the Second Division having played the same number of games.
Despite Crawford’s bold talk, Gers’ latest victory only arrived in injury time courtesy of Fraser Aird’s brilliant strike.
Until then the Ibrox outfit had toiled to break down the Spiders, despite them playing with ten men for 34 minutes after James Brough was sent packing for two yellow cards. In the oldest derby on the planet it looked for all the world like Queen’s would hold on for a point until sub Aird cut inside and drilled beyond impressive goalie Neil Parry.
Gardner Speirs’ side performed manfully, denying Gers space and the type of possession they’ve been used to in recent games.
Yet it was also the type of match Gers might have failed to win earlier in the campaign as they adapted to life in the lower leagues.
Crawford admitted: “It was a hard day and a tough game for us but to win it that way was brilliant. It was a really good feeling.
“I was very happy for Fraser to get his first goal and it was a great three points in the end. You always think the goal could be on the way with the forward talent we’ve got.
“We’re never going to give up and just keep going until the last minute.
“Possibly it was the type of game we’d have lost earlier in the season. The run we’ve gone on is brilliant, it’s really helped us climb the table. The spirit in the squad is now really improving and now we just want to keep this momentum going.”
Gers boss McCoist had hoped the wide-open pitch would suit his stars, who have had to contend with tighter parks on their travels this term.
It didn’t work out that way though and Crawford reckons it got HARDER when the Spiders lost Brough.
McCoist was on the edge of the vast technical area doing everything to urge his side on for the 90 minutes. Crawford said: “It was a bigger pitch, similar to Ibrox where we’ve played well and scored more goals.
“When they got their man sent off I thought they sat in a bit which made it even harder for us to break them down. Everyone was getting that wee bit more tense as the game went on but the manager’s spirit is unbelievable.
“He’s wanting us to do well and he wants the club to do well. He’s passionate and that transcends onto the pitch and that helped us get the three points.
“Could I hear him? Oh, I could hear him alright. He makes himself heard, don’t worry about that! We’ve just got to take on board what he says.”
For Crawford it was revenge at a ground where his only previous experience had been an extra-time loss to Old Firm rivals Celtic in the final of the Youth Cup two seasons ago.
The 9,427 fans at Hampden that night was the biggest crowd Crawford had played in front of back then.
Over 30,000 were there on Saturday and he said: “The crowd here was something else but playing at Ibrox every second week the crowd has been amazing.
“That’s helped us and given us great experience. We lost after extra-time in that Youth Cup final so it’s been nice to balance that out on this visit.
“It was a hard one to take back then but you’ve just got to learn from it.”
Whilst the likes of Lewis MacLeod and Barrie McKay have featured regularly this term, Crawford has had to bide his time on the bench.
He’d not started since the November 10 win over Peterhead but now hopes his display can help him keep his place for Wednesday’s trip to Annan.
He added: “In patches I thought I did well against Queen’s Park. When they got the man sent off we switched the formation a wee bit.
“Hopefully the manager’s got some decisions to make for the Annan game and hopefully I can get some more game time.” | http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/leaguedivision3/4719839/Crawford-says-Rangers-can-stay-unbeaten-in-the-league-till-the-end-of-the-season.html | 1,317 |
Arsenal welcome the Rovers to the Emirates tomorrow for some fifth-round FA Cup action.
Arsenal welcome Blackburn Rovers into the Emirates tomorrow for the fifth round of the FA Cup. Much of the discussion around Arsenal has looked ahead to the match against Bayern Munich, but tomorrow's match is arguably more important only in the sense that the FA Cup is a more realistic objective than the Champions League. This is mainly because Bayern Munich are turning into the football equivalent of the 1980 USSR ice hockey team before our very eyes (which is an argument that Arsenal should rest key players for tomorrow's match against Championship side Blackburn).
It's not an easy situation.
As things stand right now, the Arsenal lineup picture for tomorrow remains a bit muddied. Arsene Wenger has described the situation thusly:
"Wilshere and Koscielny have a test this [Friday] morning and Thomas Vermaelen should be back. He has a definite test today," said Wenger.
"We have plenty of people in training today who have a test and we'll see how well they come out of it. I am confident 50:50 with Wilshere and Koscielny, and Vermaelen 90:10."
Arsenal will take tomorrow seriously despite the looming spectre in three day's time afterwards. Gervinho is theoretically back and available, and I would wager that we see him in some capacity tomorrow (somehow his re-introduction to club football versus the German destroyers of Time seems bad). His appearance could spare the energies of one of Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott, or Olivier Giroud for Tuesday, at least partially, in theory.
Blackburn, for their part, sit eighth in the Championship. They've just brought on former Arsenal player and being-a-jerkstore enthusiast David Bentley on loan, but by far their most potent attacking threat comes in the person of Jordan Rhodes, who has 19 goals this year. He is seriously in form, and could present a hard go of things for any Arsenal makeshift back four.
Speaking of which, based on the above quote, I think we're likely to see Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, and Nacho Monreal tomorrow. I don't think this is a match that Wenger is going to want to try out a youngster in at this stage of the cup, especially as he may need one to throw into the maw of destiny against Bayern.
What do you reckon? | http://www.theshortfuse.com/2013/2/15/3993368/arsenal--blackburn-fa-cup-2013-match-preview | 515 |
During the first month of the football season, Irmo coach Bob Hanna had an opening stretch that included ranked teams South Pointe, Myrtle Beach and Greenwood. The Yellow Jackets lost all three but, Hanna felt a turnaround was possible.
Now in the second week of November, Irmo will play host to White Knoll on Friday night at W.C. Hawkins Stadium in the second round of the Class 4A Division I state playoffs with a resurgent team.
The turnaround began with a two-point victory against Lexington in the fourth game, and the Yellow Jackets have won seven of nine games to continue the roll into the postseason.
The difference has been an offense that is playing mostly mistake-free and a defense that has been stellar all season.
Our offense has not turned the ball over, Hanna said. We had a bunch of problems in our protection schemes on punts early in the year and the offense turned the ball over. I think consistently we were playing decent defense. But really not having our offense put our defense in bad situations has really made a difference.
The Yellow Jackets (7-5) never have lost to the Timberwolves (9-3) in eight tries. Hanna hopes he remembers how to stop the old-fashioned Wing-T offense his team will see.
White Knoll, which won its first playoff game in school history last week. is big up front and, with the running of Quinn Jones and Lamar Ray, often confuses defenses with its counters, fakes and misdirection.
Hanna said being able to practice against that type of offense is almost impossible.
They do it uniquely, Hanna said. There arent many teams that do what they do. Its hard to simulate it in practice. Our kids are going to have to adjust against game speed early Friday night. My defense has no idea what this is going to look like or feel like until the first quarter. Were going to have to adjust to their physicality, their splits and stuff. Theyve come a long way since the first few times weve played them.
There will not be much trickery in what the Timberwolves do.
They have ran the ball 563 times this year for 3,573 yards while throwing 33 passes for 242 yards (on 15 completions). The main problem for the Irmo defense will be figuring out who has the ball.
Jones is the faster of the two backs and leads the way with 1,459 yards on 205 carries. Ray is more physical and runs more between the tackles. Despite being banged up at times and missing three games two that resulted in losses he has managed to run for 1,099 yards on 155 attempts.
They have two quality backs that really complement each other, Hanna said. The big kid (Ray) is a more physical, inside runner and No. 6 (Jones) is a quick kid that can break it at anytime. Hes more of a sweep-type runner. You have to take care of both sides of this offense at the same time. Its a tough offense to prepare for. We know we have to get physical and go after it. I dont think you can play your normal defense against it.
Those two hide behind a big offensive line and then explode when given the chance.
The basic premise on what theyre trying to do is to get as many people in front of the ball carrier and attack a gap, Hanna said. They want to get as many people there as they can and have the backs follow. Its like a rugby scrum.
Since losing to Spring Valley, the Yellow Jackets have won four in a row and allowed 53 points in that span.
Included in that total was the 34 allowed to Blythewood in a five-overtime thriller. They allowed 10 points in regulation play in that game.
But Hanna has given as much credit to his offense for the turnaround as his defense. Grant Davitte is firmly entrenched at quarterback and Shyheim Copeland has taken over the majority of the running back duties. They havent blown out a lot of teams but they arent making crucial mistakes like they were early in the season.
For Irmo to advance to the semifinals, the Yellow Jackets need to be efficient and score when given opportunities against the ball-control style of the Timberwolves.
We know were only going to get so many possessions so we have to take advantage of them, Hanna said We have to try and get them out of sync. If they pick up three or four yards on first down, they will continue what theyre doing and control the clock. | http://www.thestate.com/2012/11/15/2520141/irmo-vs-white-knoll-power-teams.html | 934 |
Jan ready after Ly-in
JAN VERTONGHEN has warned Lyon that Spurs are raring to go after a week off.
Tottenham put their feet up over the weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup last month so did not have a game.
And they travel to France for tomorrow’s Europa League last-32 clash, taking a 2-1 lead with them, well rested.
Vertonghen said: “We will be fresh for the second leg without a game at weekend and we want to do something in Europe.”
The spotlight will once again be on Gareth Bale as he has scored all of Spurs’ last SIX goals.
Defender Vertonghen added: “As a winger that’s unbelievable. I’m glad I’m not playing against him.”
And Tottenham new-boy Lewis Holtby reckons Bale is now among the top players in the world.
He said: “I’ve played with Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar but think Gareth is one of the best. He’s got one hell of a left foot.” | http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/epl/4803160/Jan-Vertonghen-Spurs-are-raring-to-go.html | 245 |
After winning the US Open at Congressional last year, Rory McIlroy sat there wide-eyed and in awe of his achievement. About to address the press corps, he took out his phone and took a photograph of the famous old trophy sitting in front of him. He could barely believe what he had done.
On Sunday it was a completely different McIlroy who sat before us, the huge Wanamaker Trophy alongside him proof positive that he had just blown away the field in the US PGA Championship and secured his second major title at 23 years of age.
McIlroy won the | http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/golf/article3507037.ece | 120 |
The first Mashup of 2012 (last one here) and this start to January has been a very eventful one for social media and sport in the news. Some of it has been positive as social becomes more intertwined in major sports event and this week sees the start of the Australian Open tennis down in sunny Melbourne.
It has also been a time for apologies and fines in equal measures as sports stars take to Twitter to let their views been known. Some has been a case of some careless banter and have received no more than a ticking off, while for others it has been much more costly.
Anyway, there is much to get through so here we go (click on titles for full articles)….
Snooker star Mark Williams is set for disciplinary with the governing body over the use of offensive language on Twitter. The players were warned about the use of social media platforms during the summer by letter from the board.
Carrying on the snooker theme, the star who always seems to get on the wrong side of the snooker laws has been threatened with a fine. This time it was not for anything said about snooker but the 36-year-old, and three-times World Champion, criticised the Welsh glamour girl for going to the High Court to clear her name over claims she had tried to blackmail the Manchester United star over their six-month fling.
The FA has taken to step of making the FA Cup highlights, something that has always been reserved for TV and the broadcaster websites, onto iTunes. You can now buy a ‘season pass’ to watch highlights from every round and from last season final. If your a fan of cup football then this looks like a great purchase.
The 2012 Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament may just be the most digitally connected major sporting event of all time. This Mashable article looks at how the fist major tennis event of the year is showing the way for the rest of sport in 2012. A Slamtracker already provides real-time updates of qualifying play that began on Wednesday, and fans can relive and share their favorite moments via Facebook and Twitter through a database of classic matches.
The Arsenal midfielder took criticism for saying he was disappointed at players not being consulted over Gary Speed’s replacement. But in a series of tweets, Ramsey clarified his comments to defend what he had initially said. It should how Twitter can be used to defend players reputations and come at at the press for what they see as quotes being taken out of context.
Oxford City sack Lee Steele for homophobic tweet
A footballer who posted a homophobic remark on a social media website has been sacked by his club. Oxford City striker Lee Steele made a comment on Twitter about the gay former Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas.
Tweeting about Thomas’s appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, Steele, 38, wrote a “strongly-worded” message about being in a bed near the contestant. Oxford City manager Mike Ford said: “On this occasion Lee’s had to pay for his error of judgement.
The Argentinian genius strolled to his third World Football of the Year award in a row last Monday and to celebrate this achievement his sponsors adidas put together a video with the man himself. The video was released solely on Facebook and YouTube with no other promotion around it. Since its release on Monday night it has racked up 1.9m views on YouTube together with 372k likes, 45k shares and 41k comments! Is this the most ever in the sports world?
Scotland and Glasgow Warriors winger Rory Lamont has apologised after describing Barack Obama as a “whore” on a social networking site. The rugby international has used his Twitter account to make disparaging remarks about a number of politicians.
These have included the United States president, Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Scottish Rugby Union has described the language as “inappropriate” and the 29-year-old has apologised via Twitter.
Finally, here is the last infographic by Freestyle Interactive to enjoy showing the lastest social media stats from the Premier League…. | http://www.theuksportsnetwork.com/tag/snooker | 842 |
Seven reasons why Arsenal no longer need Arsene Wenger
Defeat to Bradford marked a new low for the Gunners: is this the end for their myth-making manager?
ARSENAL'S humiliation at the hands of Bradford in the League Cup marks a low point in the reign of Arsene Wenger and could signal the beginning of the end for the French manager, who has been in charge for 16 years. The Gunners fielded a close to full-strength team against the Bantams but only narrowly avoided losing in 90 minutes and were eventually knocked out in a penalty shoot-out. The pressure on Wenger is growing and it now looks as though the unthinkable could be about to happen - a full-scale revolt among the fans with Arsenal supporters calling for the manager's head. There was insubordination in the stands during the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford and unbridled anger rained down on Wenger and his team after defeat by Swansea at the Emirates earlier this month. A poll in The Sun this morning found more than 60 per cent of voters wanted Wenger out. After seven years without a trophy and another fruitless season in prospect, fans can be forgiven for asking exactly what Wenger's leadership does for Arsenal. The seven pillars on which the Frenchman’s success was built are now crumbling:
ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL: This season Arsenal are top of the Premier League table in terms of possession and second only to Manchester United in pass completion. Yet they lie in seventh place in the league and have lost a quarter of their games. Wenger has instilled a belief in the passing game at Arsenal, but they no longer execute it with the same ruthlessness as they used to. Arsenal sit mid-table when it comes to shots and shots on target, and their brand of football is being successfully aped by the likes of Swansea. They are not as good as Barcelona and the old questions about their one dimensional play remain.
URBANE LEADERSHIP: The sight of a bespectacled Frenchman managing an English side was novel in 1996, but not any more. Wenger may have helped create a niche for highbrow managers, but the likes of Jose Mourinho and, more recently, Andre Villas Boas and Michael Laudrup have developed the theme. Modern British managers like Brendan Rodgers have combined aspects of Wenger's managerial approach with old-school attributes to good effect. Meanwhile, anyone who has seen Wenger in his bizarre full length puffa-jacket can testify to the fact that he no longer looks quite as urbane as he once did.
TRANSFER NOUS: Observers marvelled at Wenger's ability to sniff out good young players when he first arrived at Arsenal. He brought dissolute winger Thierry Henry from Juventus and turned him into the most feared striker in Europe. Nicolas Anelka arrived aged 17 for £500,000, and left two-and-a-half years later for £22.3m. Wenger demanded that Arsenal sign teenager Patrick Vieira. Wenger's worldwide network of scouts became the stuff of legend. But every big club now has that kind of system and Arsenal can no longer operate 'under the radar'. And when it comes to choosing established talents, Wenger's recent track record is average at best. Gervinho cost almost £11m and has been a major letdown. And for every Santi Cazorla there has been an Andrei Arshavin or Marouane Chamakh.
YOUTH POLICY: It is often said that one of Wenger's legacies will be the Arsenal's fabled youth system. However, a quick look at the first team squad shows that only a handful of players have actually made it through the system into the team. Many of the younger players (Jenkinson, Ramsay, Walcott) were brought in from other clubs. What's more, Arsenal's youth system is by no means new. Under Wenger players like Ashley Cole and Cesc Fabregas have come through its ranks, but club legends like Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Pat Rice and Liam Brady were also academy graduates.
MOTIVATION: The Gunners boss does not rant and rave like traditional managers, but instead treats the players like adults. However, his charges have not responded of late. As the website Goal.com put it: "This poorly-constructed squad is Wenger's, and he does not seem to know how to get the best out of it."
DIET AND TRAINING: When Wenger first arrived he was ridiculed in some quarters for insisting that his players paid more attention to their diets. In 1998 even the BBC chortled at the fact that Arsenal players had to watch what they ate. "Where footballers once lived on a diet of steak, the Highbury players are more likely to eat boiled white meat, such as chicken or boiled fish, served with mashed potatoes and boiled vegetables - particularly greens like broccoli," it marvelled. That sort of attention to detail is now commonplace.
FINANCIAL PRUDENCE: Wenger has overseen the successful move from Highbury to the Emirates and there is no doubt that if trophies were awarded for sensible control of the finances Arsenal would be top of the table every year. However, Wenger has laid himself open to criticism on this front as well. While Alex Ferguson, for example, steers clear of politics and concentrates solely on football, Wenger has wedded himself to the board's long-term business plan for the Gunners. Their failings are partly his.
As Goal.com points out: "Wenger will not be sacked, and nor should he be. But support for his job security is becoming less to do with the brilliant qualities he has brought to north London and to the Premier League in more than 16 years as Arsenal manager, and more to do with the tailspin it is easy to imagine the Gunners sliding into if they parted with a figure who has been so influential for so long." · | http://www.theweek.co.uk/football/arsenal/50564/seven-reasons-why-arsenal-no-longer-need-arsene-wenger?link=navbar | 1,220 |
TicketCity Reveals Hottest College Rivalry Games
Amped fan anticipation for rivalry games drives ticket prices
Austin, TX (November 15, 2011) – The upcoming weeks in college football present some of the best rivalry games. After last week’s string of upsets, these games are not only important for rivalry bragging rights but to better a team’s standing in the BCS rankings. TicketCity highlights the teams not to be missed, and counts down the most popular rivalry games based on ticket sales, prices, customer inquiries, and searches on TicketCity.com.
Texas, Alabama, Florida, California, Oregon, South Carolina and Georgia, just to name a few, are states that will host some of the best in-state rivalry football games this season. Clemson will take on South Carolina on November 26th. Although the Gamecocks are currently seated lower, they will have home field advantage, which always plays a vital factor in an intense rivalry game. Another heated game, where the underdog will have home field advantage is when Alabama Crimson Tide visits the Auburn Tigers. Tickets for this game are averaging on the market place at $367 but TicketCity.com has tickets for as low as $196.
This Thanksgiving, Texas will visit long-time state rival Texas A&M for their last and final conference game. The Longhorns and Aggies have met each year since 1894 with the exception of six seasons. Now that A&M will be moving to the SEC conference this allows each team to leave it all out on the field. This game will be one watched by all of Texas. The average ticket price for this game is $302 but TicketCity.com is selling tickets for as low as $194.
Another long-time rivalry will take place between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on December 10th. This matchup is one of the most traditional and enduring rivalries that started in 1890. This game is also the last regular-season match up in the college football schedule. Although both teams have seen better seasons, this is still a heightened rivalry that gives the winning team leverage and bragging rights. The marketplace has average ticket prices at $226 but customers can find tickets as low as $86 at TicketCity.com.
To see the full list of rivalry games, click here.
TicketCity offers a marketplace backed by personalized customer service to buy and sell tickets for all sports, concerts, and theatre events. TicketCity specializes in tickets for all college sports and championship events, including college bowl games and the Super Bowl. Founded in 1990, TicketCity is a trusted source for secondary market tickets to events around the world. TicketCity is the exclusive secondary ticket provider of CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, Time Inc.’s SI.com, and Fox Sports’ Scout.com.
Kelley Rochna, Marketing Manager | http://www.ticketcity.com/helpful-links/press-releases/ticketcity-reveals-hottest-college-football-rivalry-games.html | 594 |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The United Arab Emirates ended Australia's hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics, winning 1-0 on Wednesday to bolster its own chances of playing at the Games for the first time.
In other Olympic qualifiers, South Korea qualified for the Olympics for the seventh time in a row with a 3-0 drubbing of Oman in Group A.
Bahrain kept its campaign alive with a 2-1 victory that put the brakes on Syria's surprise run in Group C, which is now led by Japan after its comprehensive 4-0 win over winless Malaysia.
Qatar ended Saudi Arabia's chances of advancing with a 2-1 victory in the Group A encounter. Qatar lies third, behind South Korea and Oman.
The winners of each group advances to the Olympics. The three runners-up will play off in a round robin competition starting in Vietnam on March 25. That team then will take on the fourth-place team from Africa, Senegal, for the final Olympic spot in a match to be played in England on April 23.
In Abu Dhabi, Australia set the pace early and had several good chances. Aaron Mooy forced the UAE keeper Khalid Eisa to make a diving save in the 15th minute and then five minutes later Eisa saved a shot from Oliver Bozanic with his feet.
UAE then went on the counterattack. Striker Ahmed Khalil fired in a blistering free kick that Australia keeper Matthew Ryan just got a hand on. Then seconds later, UAE midfielder Omar Abdulrahman collected a backheel pass from Rashad Eisa in the 22nd minute and fired a shot underneath a diving Ryan for the only goal.
Australia pressed late in the first half and nearly scored when Mate Dugandzic's effort clipped the crossbar in the 40th minute. It didn't create another good chance in the second half, leaving the team bottom of Group B and without a goal in the competition.
UAE tops Group B after Iraq beat Uzbekistan 2-1 Tuesday. The Gulf nation now needs only a draw in its final away match against Uzbekistan March 14 to qualify for the Olympics.
South Korea's Nam Tae-hee gave his team the perfect start when he scored after only one minute at their match in Oman. FC Seoul striker Kim Hyun-sung doubled the Koreans' advantage in the 68th minute before Kim Min-woo, who plays his club football in Japan's lower leagues with Sagan Tosu, adding the third just four minutes later.
In Manama, Mohamed Tayeb al-Alawi scored a brace for Bahrain to beat Syria and leave the teams tied for second, three points behind Japan.
Al-Alawi scored the opener in the 12th minute before netting the winner on the stroke of full time after substitute Ahmad al-Douni had equalized for Syria with four minutes left.
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, fell behind in the 12th minute after defender Ahmed Ali Walibi scored a penalty. But the home side were on level terms two minutes from the interval courtesy of skipper Hasan al-Haydos. Naser Nabeel sealed the victory 12 minutes from time.
In Kuala Lumpur, Japan rebounded from a shock loss to Syria by overwhelming Malaysia.
Hiroki Sakai opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Yuya Osako added the second a minute from halftime. Genki Haraguchi made it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half before debutant Manabu Saito sealed the win on the hour mark with his first goal for the Olympic team. | http://www.times-gazette.com/ap%20sports/2012/02/22/uae-south-korea-win-2012-olympic-qualifiers | 744 |
Kevin Orr has stepped down as football coach at Soddy-Daisy High School after three seasons.
"It was his decision," school principal John Maynard said. "He said he wanted to do what was best for the players."
The two met Wednesday afternoon and decided, in Maynard's words, to sleep on any decision.
"When he came in today, [resigning] is what he wanted to do," Maynard said Thursday evening.
Soddy-Daisy was 2-8 this past season and 4-6 in 2011 and 2009. His only winning season, and a playoff year, came in 2010 when the Trojans were 7-5. That was one of only two winning seasons Soddy-Daisy has had since 2005, the other coming under E.K. Slaughter in 2008 (8-4).
The 2010 playoff win was one of three for Soddy-Daisy since 2000. Orr was the fourth head coach in that time, joining Slaughter, Tom Weathers and Glen Ryan. Weathers has retired, Slaughter is coaching at Red Bank and Ryan is at Walker Valley.
"He is going to stay on the faculty and he told the boys he planned on working with them as long as he was here," Maynard said. "He did say he was going to look for another teaching and coaching position."
Maynard hired Orr in May 2009 after Slaughter decided to accept an offer from Cleveland after just a year at Soddy-Daisy.
"I've had to hire [a football coach] twice. The last time I had to do it in a hurry," the principal said. "The other time, when I hired E.K., I think I took from December to February. This time I'll be shocked if anything happens before the new year, but I don't think it'll be much after that."
Ward Gossett is an assistant sports editor and writer for the Times Free Press. Ward has a long history in Chattanooga journalism. He actually wrote a bylined story for the Chattanooga News-Free Press as a third-grader. He Began working part-time there in 1968 and was hired full time in 1970. Ward now covers high school athletics, primarily football, wrestling and baseball and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling. Over a 40-year career, he has covered ...
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After three frustrating seasons, Cleveland High School football coach E.K. Slaughter turned in his resignation Monday morning.
Cleveland High School football coach E.K. Slaughter turned in his resignation Monday morning, stepping down after three seasons. | http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/nov/30/orr-resigns-as-soddy-daisy-football-coach/ | 591 |
CADIZ - A good kicker in high school football is a bonus.
A very good kicker is a weapon.
Bellaire used the big right leg of Dalton Conroy to slip past Harrison Central, 29-28, Friday night at a jam-packed Wagner Field in Buckeye 8 action.
BELLAIRE’S Spencer Badia is tackled by Josh Moore during Friday’s game in Cadiz. The Big Reds rallied for a 29-28 victory.
The 240-pound Big Reds' senior booted a 22-yard field goal as time expired to give his team the improbable victory over the stunned Huskies and their faithful.
"That is probably the most pressure I've ever felt in my life," Conroy explained outside an exuberant Bellaire lockerroom.
Bellaire trailed 28-26 after junior quarterback Spencer Badia capped a 7-play, 67-yard touchdown drive with a 5-yard quarterback draw. His two-point pass was batted away by a diving Fletcher Watt to preserve Harrison Central's slim lead with 3:25 remaining to play.
With the Huskies expecting an onside kick, Conroy boomed one deep that Josh Moore fielded at the goal line and returned to the 15. Talented running back Maurtice Hython gained four yards on first down, but lost one on second as Logan Koshenka made the tackle.
On third-and-7, Harrison Central quarterback Rashaen Mitchell dropped back to pass. With the rush in his face, he spun around a couple of times to elude defenders, but soon found himself in the end zone. He got a step out of the end zone before getting flagged for intentional grounding. That left the Huskies with fourth-and-24 from inside their own one.
David Miser's punt was fielded by Brendon Ross at the 36 and returned to the 28. On third-and-4, Badia laced a rocket into the arms of Hunter Westlake that moved the ball to the Huskies' 11. Badia gained six yards on a pair of carries that lined Conroy up for his game-winning attempt.
After a pair of time outs, one by each team, the snap from Wyatt Back to Badia was perfect and Conroy's kick split the uprights as the Bellaire sidelines and bleachers erupted in joyous celebration.
"Dalton is the weapon we talked about earlier in the year," a jubilant Bellaire head coach Jose Davis allowed. "We know where we have to get to be in his range. That was a chip shot for him. He probably had 20 or 30 yards to go on that kick."
While the kick made winners out of Bellaire for the fifth time in seven outings, and halted a two-game losing skid, the loss was really hard to swallow for the Huskies on Homecoming.
"They made one more play than we did," said a disappointed Harrison Central head coach Justin Kropka. "Our kids played hard and were in the right places. It just didn't work out."
The game was a tale of two halves as the Huskies bolted to a 28-20 halftime margin thanks to a 21-point second quarter.
Hython picked up 119 of his 211 yards and all four of his team's touchdowns in the first half. Only two of his 15 second-half carries went for more than seven yards.
"We really didn't make any big adjustments defensively at halftime," Davis explained. "They (Harrison) were just muscling us up and down the field. Our kids had to man up and they did."
Badia found Nick Maffe on a perfectly executed middle screen and the senior tailback weaved his way down the field before cutting to the far sidelines en route to a 60-yard scoring strike to give Bellaire a 7-0 lead following Conroy's PAT.
Hython scored from 36 yards out and Rafael Teixiera's extra-point evened the count at 7:58 of the opening stanza.
Bellaire went back ahead when Conroy connected on a 20-yard field in the waning seconds of the quarter as the visitors led 10-7.
A pair of Hython scoring runs, from 18 and 15 yards, gave Harrison Central a 21-10 lead with 6:06 left before the half.
A 18-yard run by Maffe cut into the hosts' margin at 21-17 and, after Hython scored from a yard out, Conroy boomed a 43-yard field goal through the uprights as the first half came to a close with the Huskies on top, 28-20.
"That was huge for us to score in the last minute," Davis said of Conroy's second field goal. "That gave us the momentum going to the lockerroom."
Neither team could dent the scoreboard in the second half as the defenses took center stage.
"Our defense has given up some big plays, and they did again tonight, but when we needed them to step up in the second half, they did," Davis praised.
Badia finished 26 of 44 for 306 yards and a touchdown. Patrone landed nine catches for 99 yards, with Maffe gaining 95 on five receptions.
Mitchell was 6-for-11 for 98 yards and an interception, which was pilfered by Patrone.
Bellaire returns home to Nelson Field next Saturday to host Union Local, while Harrison Central hits the road to Wintersville for a crucial meeting with Indian Creek.
Mindi Snyder was crowned homecoming queen during halftime festivities. She selected the odd-colored rose.
North can be reached at [email protected] | http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/541781/Conroy-s-field-goal-lifts-Bellaire-by-Harrison-Central.html?nav=5012 | 1,171 |
Blake stuns Bolt twice at trials
Yohan Blake upset reigning Olympic champ Usain Bolt by winning the 200 metres in 19.80 seconds at the Jamaican Olympic Athletic Trials on Sunday, just two days after beating him in the 100 metres.
It was the latest clash between the two Jamaican stars ahead of the London Olympics, where Bolt’s supremacy in the sprinting world appears to be in danger.
Bolt finished second in 19.83 while Warren Weir also earned a ticket to the London Games by finishing third.
“I have been working hard and am seeing it paying off now,” Blake said. “I was not surprised by the big win. I know what Bolt has to offer and I know he was not at 100 per cent. I just tried to keep my form.”
Blake produced his first upset of the weekend and one of the biggest in the sport this year by beating Bolt in Friday’s 100m final with a time of 9.75 seconds, becoming the fourth fastest man ever in the event.
Bolt, the 100m and 200m Olympic champ and world record holder, was second in 9.86 seconds after a poor start and Asafa Powell was third in 9.88 seconds.
“I can’t train for one person,” Bolt said Sunday.
“No one was talking about Blake and see what he did.”
Bolt says he now has plenty to prove heading into the Olympics. “I am the Olympic champion and I have to show the world I am the best,” Bolt said.
Blake ran the world-leading time on Sunday in the 200m but he did not beat his personal best of 19.26 which he set in September 2011.
Neither Blake nor Bolt have committed to running both sprints in London, saying they will leave the decision up to their Jamaican coach Glen Mills. | http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120703/athletics/Blake-stuns-Bolt-twice-at-trials.427010 | 395 |
What would Sen. Kohl give for new Bucks arena?
Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Bucks owner and Wisconsin Democratic Senator Herb Kohl has said publicly he would contribute "not an insignificant amount" to help build a new arena for his team.
How much can he realistically give?
"Who knows? His wealth is not known publicly. He is a charitable man, always contributed to charity, some of them known, some of them not known. Any guess is a good one," said Journal Sentinel sports business writer Don Walker on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."
"By putting his own money on the line...he's trying to jump start the talks. He's willing to put his money down, and I think that takes away one of the arguments that people have in Milwaukee, 'Why doesn't the Senator do something about it?' "
Walker reminds us that Sen. Kohl has donated money before for new sports arenas.
"He donated about $25 million for the Kohl Center at the University of Wisconsin, his alma mater...roughly 30 percent."
The initial estimated cost of constructing the current home of the Bucks, the Bradley Center, was about $90 million.
According to Walker, that's a small percentage of what's needed to construct a new home for the Bucks.
"You couldn't build 1/3rd of an arena these days for that kind of money. Most guess is, for a new arena, around $400 million or more, depending on how fancy you want to be."
The other critical question to Walker involves whether Milwaukee can successfully support an NBA franchise in the long term.
"It's a great question as to whether we're a big enough market to support a team," explained Walker.
"I think everyone can agree there are pressing needs in this community, starting with education, public safety, taxation. This is part of the equation, but as Bud Selig likes to say, there's nothing better than seeing Milwaukee in the byline of the newspaper everyday, whether it's the Brewers or the Bucks." | http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/150409025.html | 435 |
Bucks and Damon Jones Mutually Part Ways
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Veteran guard Damon Jones won't be joining the Milwaukee Bucks after all.
The Bucks, who open training camp Tuesday, said that by mutual decision Jones instead would work out on his own and try to catch on with another NBA team. The Bucks said both parties would explore options to help the 10-year veteran reach that goal.
The 6-foot-3 Jones was acquired from Cleveland Aug. 13 in a three-team deal.
Milwaukee also received guard/forward Adrian Griffin and guard Luke Ridnour from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavaliers got guard Mo Williams from the Bucks, and Oklahoma City acquired forwards Joe Smith and Desmond Mason from Milwaukee.
Jones averaged 6.5 points and 1.9 assists per game and shot 41.7 percent from 3-point range for Cleveland last season, his third with the Cavaliers. He's also had stints with New Jersey, Boston, Golden State, Dallas, Vancouver, Detroit, Sacramento, Milwaukee and Miami.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) | http://www.todaystmj4.com/sports/45699317.html | 228 |
The Toledo Junior Golf Association has created the Paul Szymanski Spirit Award to honor the TJGA member who embodies Paul’s love of life as well as the game of golf yet may have dealt with an obstacle in their life.
• Paul was the president of the Toledo Junior Golf Association from 1998 – 2001 and a board member until 2009.
• He was also the 1981 Toledo District Golf Association Junior Match Play champion.
Paul’s contributions to Toledo Junior Golf are immeasurable and we owe much of our organization’s success to him. Paul was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1996 yet never allowed his medical condition to dampen his love and commitment for junior golf. Although his condition was deteriorating, Paul still played in the 2010 Chili Open which benefited the Toledo Junior Golf Association. Paul Szymanski passed away on July 3, 2010.
In honor of Paul, the Toledo Junior Golf Association has also established the Paul Szymanski Spirit Award Fund at the Toledo Community Foundation. This endowed fund will provide a $1,000 post secondary education scholarship to the recipient each year, who will be selected by a committee which includes a member of the Paul Szymanski family, as well as several TJGA board members. | http://www.toledojuniorgolf.com/paulszymanskispi.html | 250 |
The Carolina Panthers finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 6-10. They held a record of 3-5 at home playing their games at Bank of America Stadium and went 3-5 on the road. The Panthers ranked 7th in total offense and 28th in total defense in 2011.
View original post here:
Carolina Panthers 2012 NFL TV Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network) | http://www.totalbroncos.com/broncos-news-feed/carolina-panthers-2012-nfl-tv-schedule-yahoo-contributor-network/ | 82 |
"It is a tough time, especially on home turf. Today was a balanced match with chances for both sides. They broke the deadlock, although we played just as well."
Ancelotti continued: "We have to think of how to quickly get over this tough moment. We are very inconsistent, a little distracted and as usual conceded a goal with a cross from the byeline. We can do better.
"I did not shout at anyone. We just need to find the cure for what ails us and the only certain thing I can say is that we will not change our tactics. We are all united and can get back up again, just as we did in the past. When we have other players at our disposal, then perhaps we can adjust a few things." | http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/ancelotti-stays-upbeat-after-latest-ac-milan-defeat-153427 | 160 |
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish admits there is a new breed of club in the Premier League whose financial clout leaves other team’s struggling to compete.
The Midlanders have sold a quintet of players in Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Gareth Barry, James Milner and Gary Cahill, who all appeared for England against Wales in midweek, for around £75million.
McLeish , said: "There are a bunch of super clubs that are very difficult for everyone else to compete with in the long run. They are on a different planet.
"But, in one-off games there is always a possibility with the great competitiveness of the Premier League, that you will get results.
"We can't compete with the super clubs, there is no doubt about it. Everybody in football, no matter who it is, has their price.
"Arsenal met the price of Barcelona for Fabregas. It is not an area I want to discuss at length.
"But time and time again we've said we are looking to get the finances on an even keel." | http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/villa-boss-acknowledges-premiership-not-a-level-playing-field-1870451 | 225 |
CHHS baseball to host Student Appreciation Day on March 12Published 11:31pm Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The Charles Henderson High School baseball team will host Student Appreciation Day next week.
On March 12th, the Trojans will give free admission to any Troy City Schools student wearing blue or orange to the game.
Door prizes will also be given away each inning and all students in attendance will be entered into the drawing.
Charles Henderson will face Rehobeth in a doubleheader on the day of the event.
The Trojans are currently 8-1 and the team was set to face Stanhope-Elmore in the Jason Armstrong Tournament in Montgomery. The game began later than scheduled and ended after press time.
The Trojans will return to action on Thursday in the tournament when they play Marbury. The tournament wraps up on Friday where Charles Henderson is set to play LAMP and Providence Christian.
Following the doubleheader against Rehobeth, the Trojans will open area play against Bullock County on March 15-16. The Trojans will travel for the first game then host a doubleheader on March 16. | http://www.troymessenger.com/2013/03/05/chhs-baseball-to-host-student-appreciation-day-on-march-12/ | 241 |
The NHL has suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery indefinitely, pending a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman.
Avery missed Tuesday's game against the Calgary Flames.
The Stars' super-pest is being suspended for disparaging remarks he made this morning in reference to Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf and Phaneuf's girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert, who previously had a relationship with Avery.
"I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said on camera this morning in Calgary. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight."
Cuthbert has also been romantically linked to Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek, while Avery also dated model and actress Rachel Hunter, the girlfriend of Kings centre Jarrett Stoll.
TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie points to two reasons why the NHL felt compelled to hand out the punishment.
"I believe there are two reasons why Avery was suspended indefinitely pending his hearing with Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell," said McKenzie. "First is his specific choice of words, two words to be precise, 'sloppy seconds'. It's vulgar, the imagery is not good and in the mind of the National Hockey League, it's misogynistic, shows a lack of respect and objectifies women, in this case Elisha Cuthbert, his former girlfriend and current girlfriend of Flames' defenceman Dion Phaneuf. If he'd said ex-girlfriends, we wouldn't be talking about this.
"Secondly, there has been a long litany of things that he hasn't been punished for. He flipped the bird to a cameraman in New York, had verbal exchanges with Darcy Tucker as well as the allegations of what he may or may not have said about Jason Blake. There have been a number of things he hasn't gotten in trouble for and now that he has said this and crossed the line, the hammer has come down."
Avery's hearing will take place in accordance with the NHL Constitution, for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey," the NHL announced. The NHLPA declined to comment on the suspension.
Stars owner Tom Hicks also released a statement on the team's website in which he said he supported the NHL's decision.
"Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have," Hicks stated. "This organization will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
Teammate Marty Turco wasn't impressed with Avery's latest antics either.
"Unfortunately, you don't know what the right words are when ignorant comments are made, such as that this morning," Turco said following Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Flames. "For us, the ability to focus maybe becomes more poignant right now, to bottle things up and play some solid hockey.. We're not gonna ignore what happened today, we're not going to pretend like these things don't happen or face up to it."
Centre Brad Richards echoed those sentiments.
"It's none of my business what he says and I'd rather not talk about Sean," said Richards. "He's got his own thing going on."
Forward Mike Modano felt that the comments were not what the Stars organization is about.
"It's way out of the ordinary and way out of what we expect out of each other, and you know.. It's gonna be dealt with and how it plays out, I'm not sure."
Sources tell TSN the Stars are expected to send Avery home Wednesday morning and NHL on TSN analyst John Tortorella agrees with the move and the suspension.
"The league stepped up here and I think they did the right thing. Enough is enough," said Tortorella. "He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league."
And while NHL on TSN analyst and former player Matthew Barnaby does not agree with the suspension, he questions Avery's future with the Stars.
"As a former player, I don't agree with the suspension," said Barnaby. "Trust me, I said a lot of nasty things to a lot of different players but everything stayed on the ice. Bringing it out in the media is classless and stupid."
"I've played in that organization and it is a class organization. I think he's played his last game as a Dallas Star."
The Stars return to action on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. You can watch the game live on TSN at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt. | http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258182&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl | 1,012 |
OTTAWA -- The NHL and NHL Players' Association appear to be tip-toeing into negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr are scheduled to meet one another next week, but issues pertaining to the CBA are not expected to be on the agenda. Even though both sides targeted the all-star break as a starting point for negotiations, neither seems to be in a hurry to get down to business now that its arrived.
"My guess is, at least informally, we'll have some discussions in the not-too-distant future," Bettman said Saturday after the NHL's board of governors meeting. "I'm not prepared to say when the formal negotiations will begin. That's a call we've pretty left to the Players' Association. We're ready, and have been ready. But the union has had some work to do.
"Don Fehr obviously being somewhat new to the job is going through a bit of a learning curve and wants to make sure he understands what his constituents want. And so, we're patient. I'm not concerned about the time frame."
The current agreement expires Sept. 15, making the NHL the fourth major North American sports league to negotiate a new deal in a little over a year.
Bettman and Fehr have held meetings at various points during the season, but the sessions tend to cover a range of topics. Fehr, the NHLPA's executive director, hinted Saturday that he might be in favour of putting off serious negotiations until the summer.
"Obviously my preference will be when we get to the real significant sessions to do it at a point in time which is rather more likely to have players present easily than less," said Fehr. "But we'll know sometime in the next few weeks how that's going to play out."
Truth be told, the NHL seems to have more pressing issues to deal with at the moment. Bettman provided reporters with updates on a number of struggling franchises after holding a short meeting with league governors during the all-star weekend.
Not only did he acknowledge a long-standing feud between New Jersey Devils owners Jeff Vanderbeek and Ray Chambers, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly also confirmed the team has been advanced money to help with operating costs.
"We're not a bank, we don't loan them money," said Daly. "We're advancing revenue streams that they're otherwise entitled to."
The league also continues to pay the bills in Phoenix, where Bettman says three suitors have shown interest in the Coyotes. The "for sale" sign has been hanging on the franchise in Glendale, Ariz., for more than two years and the NHL seems to be growing less patient with the situation.
"We've been at this process for two-plus years now," said Daly. "At some point, if you're not successful, you have to turn the page and move on. I think there's a growing sense that we're getting there."
Neither the NHL or NHLPA has gone on record with its vision for the new economic system. The league lost the entire 2004-05 season to a lockout that saw the introduction of a salary cap.
Fehr refused to disclose whether he'll table its elimination during this round of negotiations.
He also shot down the notion that the players are bound to see their revenue share scaled back from its current level of 57 per cent. The recent deals completed by the NBA and NFL saw the players' take reduced -- football came in at between 47 and 48.5 per cent while basketball will fall between 49 and 52 per cent.
"There were three negotiations -- the third one was baseball," said Fehr. "There are no (salary) caps. There is much more sophisticated and detailed revenue sharing. They went through the third negotiation in a row without a stoppage, the second one without a hint or a suggestion of it.
"Baseball is far and away on a labour relations standpoint the most stable of the four. There's no question about it at this stage."
Overall, the two sides seem to be feeling one another out. Even they aren't willing to predict where things are headed in the coming months.
"I have no idea whether we see the world the same way or whether we see it a little bit apart or whether we see it a long way apart," said Daly. "I really won't be in a position to really handicap that until we sit down."
Once that finally happens, the players will come to the table with an intimate understanding of what's at stake.
Fehr wasn't around for the last set of negotiations and he didn't sugarcoat what happened to the union the last time it sat across the table with the league.
"I don't think it's a matter of conjecture whether the players made significant concessions in the last agreement," he said. "It was an enormous amount of money in terms of the wealth transfer over the period of the agreement. The players understand what that was.
"They understand what happened." | http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=386328 | 1,033 |
ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- American Shani Davis won World Cup gold Saturday in the men's 1,500 metres at the Alau Ice Palace.
He finished first in one minute 46.01 seconds. Havard Bokko of Norway earned the silver medal in 1:46.34 and Zbigniew Brodka of Poland won bronze in 1:46.42.
Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., was sixth and Regina's Lucas Makowsky was 13th.
Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won gold in the women's 5,000 in a track-record time of 7:00.75. Germany's Claudia Pechstein won silver in 7:01.05 and Russia's Olga Graf took bronze in 7:01.38.
Ottawa's Ivanie Blondin was ninth.
The men's pursuit team placed fourth out of 12 countries. Sunday's races will feature the women's team pursuit, women's 1,500 and men's 10,000 metres. | http://www.tsn.ca/winter_sports/story/?id=410721 | 213 |
|Born:||Dec. 21, 1989|
A cornerback with a knack for finding the ball, Caleb Mitchell
has the potential to be among the top defensive players in the Ohio
Valley Conference if he can stay healthy...injuries forced him to
redshirt as a true freshman, and cost him four games last
year...comes into the 2011 season as the returning starter at the
field corner...made the move from free safety in 2010 spring drills
and showed a thorough understanding of his new position last
season...the biggest of Tech's cornerbacks, he's an extremely
physical player and a very good tackler...has good speed and good
hands...excellent toughness...might have developed into an MVP
caliber player in his true freshman season in 2008, but an injury
in the second game changed his course...granted medical redshirt
status after a knee injury...can also return punts...has good ball
skills...will figure prominently in Tech's "nickel" package...good
pass defender and also strong providing support in run
coverage...has made 102 tackles in his two-plus seasons...listed on
the Athletic Director's Honor Roll three of his six semesters.
AT TECH (In 2010): Started six games and played in seven, but missed four games due to injuries as a junior...when he was on the field, he was one of the defensive leaders...despite missing four contests he still finished 10th on the team with 31 total tackles...had a sensational game in Tech's win over Eastern Illinois, making a season-high seven tackles, two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown) and forced a fumble...had six stops against UT Martin and Austin Peay.
(In 2009): Started all 11 games at free safety
as a redshirt freshman and ranked second on the team in total
tackles with 63...finished with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two
quarterback sacks...broke up five passes and had two
interceptions...led the team with three fumbles forced and two
fumbles recovered....established career-high with 12 tackles in
Tech's win at UT Martin...raised that three weeks later with 13
stops in a win over Tennessee State...also had two sacks, caused
and recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass in the victory over
the Tigers that clinched the Sgt. York trophy...his other
interception came at Eastern Illinois.
(In 2008): Caleb was off to a great start to his career before an injury in the second game of the season sidelined him for the balance of the schedule...came off the bench in the season opener and had five tackles and one kickoff return in the victory over Gardner-Webb...made three solo tackles and broke up a Cardinal pass attempt at Louisville before suffering the season-ending knee injury...received medical redshirt status.
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter for coaches Doug Goodwin and Perry Swindal at Russellville High School...also earned three letters in basketball and four in baseball...a team captain, he won the Best Defensive Back and Best Receiver awards for the Tigers....all-county and all-area, he was honorable mention all-state and selected to play in Alabama All-Star game...finished his career with 47 catches for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns...on defense he had 102 total tackles and 11 interceptions...helped the team to a three-year combined mark of 34-5.
PERSONAL: The son of John and Suzanne Mitchell...birthdate is December 21, 1989...full name is John Caleb Mitchell...majoring in business. | http://www.ttusports.com/sports/fball/2011-12/bios/mitchell_caleb?dec=/printer-decorator | 748 |
UWA’s Schick is softball Player of the Week
Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 11:53 p.m.
LIVINGSTON | For the second straight week, a University of West Alabama player, catcher Rebecca Schick, has earned Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors. Outfielder Whitney Brown won the award last week.
Schick, a preseason All-GSC selection as a first baseman, hit three home runs and drove in nine runs as the Tigers won two games and went 3-1 on the week.
In a 4-3 win over Alabama-Huntsville, she hit a two-run home run and an RBI single that was the difference in the game. In the second game of a doubleheader sweep of Tuskegee, Schick went 3-for-4 with two homers (one a grand slam) and 6 RBIs.
UWA (10-3) plays a doubleheader at West Georgia today at 1 p.m.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged. | http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130306/NEWS/130309864/1291/beyerlecolumns?Title=UWA-8217-s-Schick-is-softball-Player-of-the-Week | 248 |
Summer 2010 - Placed 23rd in the 10,000m at the USATF Senior National Championships (32:15.42).
2010 Track - Competed in the 10,000m at the NCAA Preliminary Round ... Was sixth in the 10,000m (29:31.01) and 10th in the 5000m (14:07.69) at Pac-10s ... Won the 5000m against USC (14:44.53) ... Placed sixth in the invite mile at the RJ/JJK Invite (4:06.31/3:48.06 converted to 1500m time) ... Placed 17th in the 10,000m at the Stanford Invite with the No. 5 time in UCLA history (29:00.21) ... In indoor track, had a top 3000m time of 8:03.71 and 14:03.58 in the 5000m (provisional qualifier) ... Athletic Director's Honor Roll ... USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree ... Pac-10 All-Academic second-team.
2009 Track - Regional qualifier in the steeplechase ... Finished eighth in the steeple at Pac-10s (9:09.05) ... Placed second in the steeple (9:04.82) and third in the 5000m (14:48.80) against USC ... Finished second in the 5000m at UCSD (14:37.15) and second in the 1500m at Cal/NV (3:47.85) ... Pac-10 All-Academic honorable mention ... MPSF All-Academic.
2008 Track - Ran 9:13.02 in the steeple at the RJ/JJK Invite, placing 12th overall ... Ran 3:51.48 in the prelims of the 1500m at the Cal/Nevada Championships ... Finished fifth in his section of the steeple at the Stanford Invite (9:16.76) ... Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention ... Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
2007 Track - Placed third in the steeplechase at the UCLA Invite (9:29.42), CSUN Invite (9:30.83), RJ/JJK Invite (9:14.49), UCSD Invite (9:21.97) and against USC (9:15.66) ... Placed second in the 5000m (15:04.90) against USC ... At the USATF Jr. National Championships, finished fourth in the steeple (9:25.95) ... Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
High School - Four-year letterwinner in track and cross country ... Prep bests of 51.5 in the 400m, 1:55.6 in the 800m, 4:17.8 in the 1600m, 4:20 in the mile, 9:28 in the 3200m, 14:58 in the 3-mile and 15:36 in the 5k ... Western League 3-mile course record holder (14:58) and champion ... Western League 1600m record holder (4:17) ... Won the 800m, 1600m and 3200m Western League titles in 2006 ... Western League Track Athlete of the Year in 2006 ... All-CIF San Diego Section Division II 1600m (champion) and All-CIF San Diego Section Division II 800m (runner-up) ... Team Captain for track and cross country his senior year ... Union Tribune All-Academic First-Team in 2005 and 2004 ... All-State in cross country in 2005 and 2004 ... Two-time Pepsi Outstanding Fall Athlete in cross country ... 2003 Western League Runner of the Year in cross country.
Personal - Born February 13, 1988 in San Diego, CA ... Son of Julio and Claudia Anzures ... Has one sister, Ariana ... History major.
Anzures' Best Marks
CLick for Bruin Video | http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-track/mtt/anzures_marco00.html | 822 |
The success of The Wrestler caused the WWE to acknowledge the movie and seek an opportunity to co-promote. For Mickey Rourke and Darren Aronofsky, Mickey's appearance at WrestleMania XXV can only help to raise the profile of the film in the eyes of a hardcore audience. Conversely, the WWE wanted to align itself with the Oscar nominated film about its own industry to raise its own profile in the eyes of the general public. The union seemed natural. Then Mickey called out Jericho on camera and people starting buzzing. During a interview on Larry King Live with Rourke Jericho appeared via satellite, attempting to play the role of the bad guy. Rourke demurred. Now, all we know is that Rourke will be in Houston. In what capacity, though, is yet to be seen. Rumors suggest he will just be attending, but I'm still holding out hope that he will climb into the ring, scale the ropes and drop a Ram Jam on Jericho.
by Man Handsome | http://www.ugo.com/sports/celebrity-matches-at-wrestlemania-akebono-taro | 203 |
Feb. 18, 2013
Box Score |
AP Photo Gallery
"I thought that was a great basketball game. Two really good teams going at it, played well tonight. We were fortunate to win. We have a lot of respect for Texas A&M and their program. They are a very talented team. There was a great crowd here tonight. We had to really play well to win the game, and to our player's credit, they did it. I just thank the good Lord we had the strength to prepare for this game and come down here under difficult circumstances against a great team and win a ball game. It was big for our team."
On first half play
"When you lose your best player and your senior leader, you're certainly concerned, but we had a lot of confidence in our team. And I think that goes to show you that we aren't really a one player team. We have some really tough minded players, and I just thought it was a beautiful first half of basketball by our team. They really moved the basketball and we talked about being patient offensively, and they were. They made some critical defensive plays when maybe the momentum was getting ready to swing Texas A&M's way. It was just a beautiful half of basketball, and I was real proud of our team."
On guarding Kelsey Bone
"That's another credit to our players; their preparation and having the strength of mind over two days. We played her very different than the first time. I thought we were fortunate to win in Lexington with her getting so many shots at the basket and off the glass. I don't know how our players could have done a much better job."
On losing big lead
"That was great composure, that was impressive I thought. I thought it was a terrific crowd tonight; it was really thunder coming down on us when they made their run. And as a coach who has been in these positions here before, I thought when we had it at 12 and kind of fiddled around a little bit and didn't build the lead, it kind of had the feeling they were going to make a run, and I tried to get prepared for that. I thought the bench did a great job, the players on the floor kept their composure, and you just need to make one play. A'dia came off the nice little set we had for her, great composure, shot fake, let them go by, and stuck the jumper that got us back going. Players have to make plays in this kind of game. This kind of game to me is more about players than it is about any coaching you can do. I'm just really impressed with our players tonight."
On guarding Kelsey Bone
"We just tried to swarm her and tried to get as many defenders. She's big, and she had a good day against us in Lexington, so we wanted to push off the block as much as we can and tried to get some little guards for when she dribbled to try to swipe the ball out of her hands. We did a good job tonight."
On her own performance
"Just being confident and believing in myself, and I knew my team really needed me tonight. I thought it was really important for me to step up, and I thought I did a good job. Without my teammates, I wouldn't have been able to do it because they never gave up and always believed in me."
On keeping composure after losing lead
"I just think it helped being in some bigger games already this season. We've been in a way where we had to come back against Arkansas, and then we've been up against Georgia and they come back and win. So you just have to learn against experiences you've been in. We don't want to be in an experience again where we're taking the loss. I think our preparation also helped us a lot and being prepared for the game and running our game plan, executing throughout the stretch and finishing out the game strong." | http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/021813aad.html | 811 |
2009 NIT Ticket Information
Latest Update: Monday, March 23, 10:00 pm
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team will play Notre Dame in the 3rd Round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 25 at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm EDT.
Tickets are currently on sale online through the Notre Dame Ticket Office for Wednesday night's game in South Bend. Fans can also purchase tickets by calling the Notre Dame Ticket Office at (574) 631-7356.
For further ticket information to see the Wildcats play in Omaha, please visit www.UND.com.
NIT Potential Dates
Semifinals - March 31 - Madison Square Garden
Championship - April 2 - Madison Square Garden
For complete NIT ticket information, please contact the UK Ticket Office at (800) 928-2287 or (859) 257-1818. | http://www.ukathletics.com/tickets/tickets-m-baskbl-09nit.html | 192 |
AMHERST, Mass. – Two University of Massachusetts Amherst alumnae are recovering from injuries sustained during the April 15 terrorist bombing in Boston.
Brittany A. Loring of Ayer, a 2006 graduate, remains hospitalized but her condition has been upgraded from critical to serious, according to the Ayer News. Longmeadow native Ryan C. McMahon, 33, of Boston, a 2002 graduate, received a fractured vertebra and two broken arms when she fell as the crowd in the viewing stand fled the scene after the blasts, according to the Republican.
A recovery fund has been established for Loring. | http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/news?page=4 | 127 |
UNCG softball picked eight in Southern Conference preseason poll
SPARTANBURG, SC – The UNC Greensboro softball team was picked to finish eight in the preseason Southern Conference softball poll as voted on by the leagues eight head coaches. In addition, Leslie Furness, Mary Greenway and Brittany Ausley earned Preseason All-Southern Conference first team honors, marking the first time the Spartans have place three players on the preseason first team.
Chattanooga was tabbed to win the league, after winning its ninth Southern Conference regular-season title last year.
The Lady Mocs, under the direction of seventh-year head coach Frank Reed, received six of a possible eight first place votes for a total of 48 points. College of Charleston and Georgia Southern tied for second place in the balloting with 38 points apiece. The Cougars also garnered one first-place vote. The Cougars finished in second place during the regular season a year ago while the Lady Eagles were the tournament runner-ups.
Elon received 23 points and placed fourth, while defending tournament champions Furman earned 21 points and one first-place vote to grab the fifth spot. Western Carolina (20), Appalachian State (19) and UNC Greensboro (17) rounded out the poll.
Chattanooga, Elon and Western Carolina each had four players selected to the all-conference teams while Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern and UNC Greensboro each had three players earn pre-season All-SoCon honors. Furman placed two players on the pre-season squad.
Greenway, a Roanoke, VA, native, is the lone senior for third year head coach Jennifer Herzig. The outfielder had a record-breaking season last year and saw action in 63 games, starting 58 at the outfield position. She set a new single-season record for stolen bases with 41 on the year while leading the team with a .303 batting average.
Furness, has been a staple for the Spartans behind the plate and in 56 games last season tallied a .265 batting average and had a team-high six home runs. The Greenville, NC native, also recorded an impressive .990 fielding percentage.
Ausley, had a stellar freshman campaign for the Spartans a season ago. She was one of three players to start every game and the only freshman to play every inning. Ausley recorded 29 runs on 53 hits with nine double, three triples and six home runs. She also led the team in RBI with 32 and in slugging percentage (.415). The Wake Forest, NC native was tied for fifth on UNCG’s single-season triple list with three triples and her 207 at bats ranks fourth on UNCG’s single-season list.
UNCG opens the 2008 campaign on Friday when they take on Southern Illinois in the first game of the Jacksonville University/Best Western Invitational. UNCG opens the home campaign with the UNCG Spartan Classic Feb 15-17.The Spartans will welcome Cleveland State, James Madison, Niagara, Maryland-Baltimore County and Central Michigan.
1. Chattanooga (6) 48
2T. College of Charleston (1) 38
2T. Georgia Southern 38
4. Elon 23
5. Furman (1) 21
6. Western Carolina 20
7. Appalachian State 19
8. UNC Greensboro 17
Preseason All-Conference Teams
P Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga
P Terri Mesko, College of Charleston
C Jaimie Rao, Elon
C Leslie Furness, UNC Greensboro
1B Lauren Ross, Western Carolina
2B Amber Shifflett, College of Charleston
SS Tracey Dahlen, Elon
3B Abby Robertson, Furman
OF Laci Upchurch, Chattanooga
OF Lindsey Hopkins, Georgia Southern
OF Brittany Ausley, UNC Greensboro
OF Mary Greenway, UNC Greensboro
DP Shannon Howard, College of Charleston
UT Debbie Ziegler, Elon
P Lana Mackey, Furman
P Lauren Ross, Western Carolina
C Jenny Side, Georgia Southern
1B Samantha Russo, Georgia Southern
2B Brittany Gaston, Appalachian State
SS Tia Blosser, Chattanooga
3B Stephanie Beatty, Western Carolina
OF Ashley Gaston, Appalachian State
OF Natalie Willis, Appalachian State
OF Brandi Jones, Elon
DP Mollie Fowler, Western Carolina
UT Tara Tembey, Chattanooga
- UNCG - | http://www.uncgspartans.com/sports/sball/2007-08/releases/0206_socon_preseason | 918 |
One of the parody commericals for the 2012 O.S.C.A.R.S. (Outstanding Student-Athletes Celebrating Achievements & Recognition Showcase) - featuring head fencing coach Janusz Bednarski and former football All-American Golden Tate.
2007 NCAA Fencing Championships, day-2 of men's competition (Madison, NJ). Photos by Chris Pedota.
The University of Notre Dame's athletic heritage has featured many legendary coaches, but only one--current 11th-year fencing coach Janusz Bednarski--directed his Irish squad to the national title in his first year as the program's head coach. Such was Bednarski's accomplishment in the spring of 2003, when a veteran Notre Dame squad edged rival Penn State to return to the pinnacle of the collegiate fencing world.
Bednarski was named the sixth head coach in the program's storied history in May of 2002, after serving eight seasons as an assistant on the Notre Dame staff. The sabre specialist has seen his first 10 seasons as the Notre Dame head coach yield a .931 combined winning percentage (541-40) - with nearly identical marks during that span by the Irish men (268-21) and women (273-19).
Success was not just a first-year feat for Bednarski, as he helped guide the Irish to a historic comeback to win the 2005 NCAA Championships, as well as guiding his team to a wire-to-wire victory at the 2011 Championships. Additionally, with his triumph in 2005, he became the first Notre Dame head coach in any sport to see his teams win multiple national titles in fewer than five seasons while in 2011 also becoming just the fourth Irish head coach all time to have claimed three or more titles during his tenure (Knute Rockne - football (3), Frank Leahy - football (4), Mike DeCicco - men's fencing (4)).
Notre Dame earned a hard fought third-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships, closing with an overall team score of 160 points. Men's foilist Enzo Castellani was the top Irish fencer at the NCAA meet, as he earned first team All-America honors to lead the foil squad to its first weapon championship since 2003. The women's foil team added a runner-up finish in team competition to lead Notre Dame to its 19th straight top-five result at the NCAA Championship.
After seeing his teams fall just short of the title during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, Bednarski finally saw the teams efforts come to fruition during 2011, as the 12-member delegation held on for a six point victory over two-time defending champions, Penn State, 174-168. The victory was aided in part by four of the 12 Irish fencers - Ariel DeSmet, Courtney Hurley, Avery Zuck, Eileen Hassett - claiming first team All-America honors, in addition to DeSmet and Hurley each claiming individual gold in men's foil and women's epee, respectively. Reggie Bentley, Barron Nydam, Hayley Reese, Lian Osier and Ewa Nelip were also tabbed All-Americans for their efforts. As a result, Bednarski was tabbed as the USFCA NCAA Coach of the Year for the first time in his tenure with the Irish.
Prior to returning to the top of the mountain in `11, the Irish encountered three straight near misses in `08-10, finishing runner-up on two occasions (`08, `09) and third place once (`10). In `08, the Irish racked up 176 points while seeing 11 participants earn All-America citations, while in `09 the team improved on that total by six points (182) with 10 of the 12 competitors being named All-Americans. Kelley Hurley (epee) and Sarah Borrmann (sabre) both captured individual gold medals at the 2008 NCAA Championships, while freshman Gerek Meinhardt finished runner-up in men's foil in `09.
The 2010 season was still a historic campaign despite not claiming the national title, as for the first time since 1994 both the men's and women's teams finished the season undefeated. It also marked the first time each team posted undefeated records with over 30 wins. During the 2010 season, Bednarski coached 11 of his athletes to All-America status, including epeeists Courtney Hurley, Kelley Hurley, James Kaull and Greg Schoolcraft; foilists Hayley Reese, Gerek Meinhardt and Enzo Castellani; and sabreists Sarah Borrmann, Eileen Hassett, Avery Zuck and Barron Nydam. Meinhardt improved on the previous years finish as well, capturing the NCAA individual gold for men's foil.
Bednarski has a rich history of coaching some of the best all-around collections of sabre talent in all of college fencing, perhaps none more talented the crop of seniors who graduated following the 2011 NCAA Championship. Zuck, Nydam, Hassett and Borrmann concluded their Irish careers having combined for 13 All-America honors and a national championship (Borrmann) in three seasons under his tutelage.
His sabre fencers have now earned 48 All-America honors (with women's sabre making its debut in 2000) and have added five NCAA individual titles and seven runner-up finishes. Lian Osier and Kevin Hassett (second team) were both recognized as All-Americans in 2012.
One of Bednarski's most impressive sabre duos included Mariel Zagunis (the 2004 and 2008 Olympic gold medalist in sabre), who dominated her college bouts with the Irish as a freshman, while going 29-1 in the regular season and advancing to the 2005 NCAA title match before returning to win the NCAA title in 2006. Valerie Providenza impressively won the 2004 NCAA sabre title and then battled through illness to post the second-most round-robin wins at the 2005 NCAAs (behind Zagunis), helping Notre Dame stage its historic rally to edge Ohio State for the NCAA title. Zagunis (21-2) and Providenza (19-4) blitzed the 2005 NCAA field for a 40-6 combined record.
On the men's side, Patrick Ghattas and Matt Stearns combined with 2009 graduate Bill Thanhouser to give the Irish another talented sabre group. Ghattas was one of the nation's top-ranked junior fencers, competing with Team USA at the 2005 World Junior Championships while earning All-America honors at the 2004 NCAAs and again in `05 (when he reached the title bout, followed by two more NCAA runner-up finishes in 2006 and `07). Stearns turned in a 10th-place finish for his own All-America honor at the 2005 NCAAs, combining with Ghattas for the second-most men's sabre wins (32) in the NCAA field. Thanhouser then placed sixth at the `06 NCAAs for his own All-America honor. Providenza and Ghattas ultimately became rare four-year sabre All-Americans, while Stearns and Zagunis both posted two All-America finishes with the Irish.
A former Olympic-level coach with Poland's national team program, Bednarski's leadership and training strategy positioned the 2003 Irish for a run at the program's sixth all-time NCAA title and first since `94. Bednarski served as head coach of Poland's Olympic Team from 1978-88, with members of those teams winning 11 medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Formerly a member of Poland's national sabre team, the Warsaw native received the prestigious Polish Silver Cross of Merit for his coaching accomplishments as head coach of the Polish National Team. Prior to assuming his duties as the Irish head coach, Bednarski had been a vital member of the Notre Dame program as it remained among the nation's best - with the Irish finishing as the NCAA runner-up every year from 1996-2000, in addition to third-place finishes in 1995, 2001, `02 and `04.
Bednarski's days as an assistant included helping coordinate the recruiting effort that fortified the Irish for their pursuit of the national title. The 2003 seniors finished as the most accomplished class in the history of Notre Dame fencing, combining for nearly 1,300 career victories and 20 All-America performances. The senior leaders in 2003 included a pair of four-time All-Americans in men's epeeist Jan Viviani and men's foilist Ozren Debic, with senior men's sabreist Gabor Szelle and senior women's epeeists Meagan Call and Anna Carnick each posting three All-America performances during their careers. Debic (157-8, .952) and Viviani (162-20, .890) finished with the top career winning percentages in Notre Dame history for their respective weapons while Szelle (182-13, .933) ranks fourth all-time on the sabre win percentage list and sixth among all men's weapons.
The 2005 senior class included a pair of top fencers from Bednarski's native Poland - three-time women's foil NCAA champion (`05 runner-up) Alicja Kryczalo and 2005 men's epee NCAA champ Michal Sobieraj (`03 NCAA runner-up), in addition to two-time NCAA foil runner-up Andrea Ament. Each of those three became rare four-year All-Americans, with Kryczalo going undefeated (23-0) in the 2002 NCAA round robin before beating Ament in the gold-medal bout (Ament's only losses in the `02 NCAAs came versus her teammate, followed by a third-place finish in `03). Bednarski's first season as the Notre Dame head coach included a 46-2 combined record in regular-season dual meets, with the Irish men going 24-0 to extend the program's third-longest winning streak to 83 matches (that streak ultimately ended at 90 matches in 2004). The Irish men claimed the number-one ranking in the middle of the 2003 season, after knocking off Penn State in a fiercely contested 15-12 decision at Notre Dame's Joyce Center.
Bednarski's 2004 Notre Dame squads combined for a 50-1 record, with both the Irish men (24-1) and women (26-0) holding the number-one ranking. The 2005 teams followed with a 43-5 combined record (22-2 by the women; 21-3 for the men) and the Notre Dame women held the nation's top ranking for most of that `05 season. Both Irish teams then suffered only one loss in 2006 (each 29-1), with the women again rising to the top spot in the AFCA poll.
During Bednarski's eight seasons as an assistant, the Irish won 93.6 percent of their dual matches (382-26) and the Irish men's team held the nation's number- one ranking in both the 2001 and 2002 final coaches' polls.
Bednarski's work with Notre Dame has made a significant impact in sabre and epee - with Bill Lester, Luke La Valle and Gabor Szelle combining over a six-year stretch (`95-'00) to win two gold, two silver and one bronze medal in NCAA sabre.
The men's sabre squad posted the maximum two All-Americans in each of Bednarski's first six full seasons (`96-'01), with that level of success unmatched by any other Notre Dame weapon in that six-year stretch. He tutored two-time sabre All-American Andre Crompton (`02), who stood as high as sixth in the U.S. rankings, while Szelle and fellow senior sabreman Matt Fabricant earned All-America honors in 2003 to help pace the national title-winning effort.
Bednarski also oversaw the career of women's sabre captain Carianne McCullough, who progressed from being a walk-on to a nationally ranked competitor and 2002 All-American. He then developed Destanie Milo into an All-American in her own right, with Milo's sixth-place finish at the 2003 NCAAs providing a final push to the team title.
Bednarski helped mold Providenza and Ghattas into top-level collegiate fencers. Providenza turned in a strong rookie season and won the 2004 NCAA title--becoming the first Notre Dame sabre fencer (men's or women's) ever to win the NCAAs as a freshman (followed by Borrmann in 2008). Ghattas turned in his own All-America showing at the 2004 NCAAs (placing 10th) and surged to number two in the USFA under-20 men's sabre rankings, before going on to his NCAA runner-up finishes in 2005 and `06.
After moving to the United States in 1988, Bednarski served as head coach at Denver's CFS Fencing Club - the largest fencing club in the Rocky Mountain region - from 1989-94. Many of his CFS products went on to achieve great success on the national and international level. While in Colorado, Bednarski served on the U.S. coaching staff at the 1993 (head coach) and 1994 Junior World Championships and was a U.S. coach for the 1992 Junior Pan-Am Games. His fencers have competed in Olympics, World Championships and World Cups in all age categories.
Bednarski served from 1994-2002 as head coach of the Escrime du Lac Fencing Club in Mishawaka (also known as the Indiana Fencing Academy) and has been a member of many advisory panels for the U.S. Fencing Association, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association. He is licensed by Federation International D'Escrime as an "A" category Fencing Director and is one of just a handful of fencing specialists in North America who are ranked by the International Fencing Federation.
His wide-reaching experience includes participating in the organizational efforts for World Championships held in Denver (1989 and `91) and South Bend (2000). In 1997 and `99, the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association selected him as the Midwest Region Coach of the Year.
Fluent in several languages, Bednarski received his master's degree in business in 1970 from Warsaw's prestigious SGPiS Business College, where he worked as a lecturer in economics. He obtained his coaching diploma from the Academy of Physical Education in 1978 and has published several articles on coaching, effective club management and the counseling of athletes.
A resident of Granger, Ind., Bednarski and his wife, Izabella, have two sons: Michael and Andrzej, a three-time sabre All-American and 2002 graduate of Notre Dame who also served as an intern assistant coach on his father's staff during the 2005 and `06 seasons. | http://www.und.com/sports/c-fenc/mtt/bednarski_janusz00.html | 3,138 |
FREE VIDEO STREAMING EVENT SATURDAY ON UNHWILDCATS.TV
DURHAM, N.H. - The
University of New Hampshire athletic department is happy to
announce a FREE video streaming event via www.UNHWildcats.tv as part of its
fall promotions. The men's basketball season opener versus Suffolk
University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. is available completely
free of charge.
UNHwildcats.TV will once again feature football, volleyball, hockey, basketball and gymnastics events for the upcoming season. The Wildcat All-Access Pass gives fans the opportunity to watch not only all the live FULL SCREEN coverage of various UNH home athletic events, but also premium content not available to view without the All-Access Pass. The premium content includes a behind-the-scenes look at UNH Athletics through player and coaches interviews, highlights and an in-depth archive section of all video available on UNHwildcats.TV.
Can't make it to the game? Now you can follow the action of UNH Athletics live on your computer. UNH has partnered with Pack Network once again to provide online video streaming of UNH's seven ticketed sports for the upcoming 2009-10 season.
UNH fans are encouraged to buy the "Wildcat All-Access Pass" which is an annual subscription for $79.95 that provides not only all the live coverage of various UNH home athletic events, but also premium content not available to view without the All-Access Pass. Fans can also purchase home events on a per-game basis for $6.95. | http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/releases/20091114tc5k6k | 338 |
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming today announced new details for the 2012-2013 Arena Grand Prix Series, including $150,000 in prize money. The next stop of the six-meet series will take place January 18-20 in Austin, Texas and will be broadcast on the Universal Sports Network.
As part of USA Swimming’s new, eight-year partnership with Arena, the Arena Grand Prix Series will offer swimmers the opportunity to take home prize money for top finishes in all individual Olympic-distance events. In each event, first-place finishers will receive $500, second-place finishers will earn $300 and swimmers in third place will take home $100*. Prize money will be distributed for each meet in the Series, including the Minnesota Grand Prix, which took place in November. In past years, a $20,000 purse was awarded to the overall winner of the entire Series.
“Since its inception, the Grand Prix Series was designed to showcase the best swimming talent in the country,” said Frank Busch, USA Swimming’s National Team Director. “We’ve always envisioned having this type of prize money to strengthen the level of competition at these meets, and with Arena’s support, it’s become a reality and will help take swimming in the U.S. to the next level.”
“Our partnership with USA Swimming Grand Prix Series opens up new avenues for Arena to support talented swimmers in many ways," said Tim McCool, Vice President and General Manager of Arena North America. "We are not only committed to helping athletes perform at their best, but to give recognition in their results. The Arena Grand Prix Series is the perfect platform to celebrate swimming at an elite level on an annual basis and we look forward to making this a bigger event for both the athletes and well as the spectators in the years to come”.
Swimming fans across the country will also have the opportunity to watch the action from the next stop of the Arena Grand Prix Series - The Austin Grand Prix. The Universal Sports Network will broadcast the event live on January 19 and 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET. Check local listings for channels and times in your area.
The three-day meet in Austin, Texas will take place January 18-20 and is slated to feature a marquee line-up of swimming stars, including Olympic gold medalists Missy Franklin, Tyler Clary and Ricky Berens.
2012-2013 Arena Grand Prix Schedule:
In addition to the broadcast coverage on Universal Sports, USA Swimming will webcast prelims and finals in Austin on www.usaswimming.org. For more information on the Arena Grand Prix Series, visit www.usaswimming.org/grandprix. A leaderboard for the Series will be available online and in Splash Magazine, the official magazine of USA Swimming.
* Swimmers with remaining NCAA eligibility will not be able to accept event prize money. | http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=2056&itemid=4960&mid=10615 | 623 |
Kansas City Royals (51-81)@
Oakland Athletics (58-74)
Tuesday, September 01
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
(6-9) 5.71 era
(0-2) 14.73 era
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Alberto Callaspo had two hits and two runs batted in, while Kyle Davies pitched six innings of one-run ball, as the Kansas City Royals downed the Oakland Athletics, 4-3.
Davies (6-9) allowed four hits and two walks while fanning six to win for the third time in his last five starts. Mark Teahen and Miguel Olivo each drove in a run apiece in the Royals' second win in three tries.
Joakim Soria pitched two scoreless innings to earn his 21st save.
"I think one of the most under appreciated jobs is what those guys do coming out of the bullpen, especially in tight ball games," said Davies. "It's not easy. For Soria having to throw two innings there was good."
Rajai Davis homered, while Mark Ellis had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the A's, who have lost six of nine. Edgar Gonzalez made his first start since May 29, giving up one run in five innings. Jay Marshall (0-2) was saddled with the loss for yielding two runs without retiring a batter.
Davis gave the A's the early lead in the first, blasting a one-out solo home run to left-center field.
But the Royals tied the game in the second on Olivo's RBI single, scoring Alberto Callaspo, who had also singled.
Kansas City then moved in front with three runs in the sixth. With one out and the bases loaded, Callaspo gave the Royals their first lead with a two-run single off Jeff Gray. Mark Teahen followed with an RBI single for a three-run cushion.
Roman Colon relieved Davies in the seventh, and he gave way to Jamey Wright after issuing a one-out walk to Ellis. Wright walked Daric Barton before retiring Cliff Pennington, and John Bale entered from the bullpen.
Bale surrendered an RBI single to Adam Kennedy, and Kyle Farnsworth loaded the bases on a two-out walk before retiring Kurt Suzuki to end the inning with a two-run lead.
Farnsworth allowed the first two batters of the eighth to reach base, prompting the Royals to insert Soria into the game. Soria walked Ryan Sweeney to load the bases, and Ellis followed with an RBI fielder's choice. Soria then struck out Barton and Pennington to maintain a 4-3 edge.
Soria put the first two hitters of the ninth on base, allowing a single to Kennedy and walking Davis. He buckled down, though, striking out Suzuki and Jack Cust and getting Nomar Garciaparra to fly out to end the game.
"I think that's our character," Davis said of Oakland' ability to battle right to the end. "I think we've had to fight for every win we've got."
Umpires: Mike Estabrook (H), Jim Joyce (1B), Bill Miller (2B), Derryl Cousins (3B) | http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/game/recap/l.mlb.com-2009-e.25786/ | 678 |
Jeff Saturday spent 13 of his 14 years in the NFL as center for the Indianapolis Colts, and for 12 of those years he regularly snapped the ball to Peyton Manning.
Why not one last time for old time's sake, too?
On Sunday during the Pro Bowl, Saturday, representing the NFC, played center for the AFC on one play to snap the ball to Manning for the final time before he retires.
Saturday, who spent this season with the Green Bay Packers, announced during the week that the Pro Bowl would be his final game.
Aside from the fact that the NFL wants these players to take the game seriously yet allowed this to happen, it was a cool gesture and surely a special moment for the former longtime teammates.
Definitely better than their infamous heated sideline clash during the Colts' 2006 run to winning the Super Bowl. | http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/01/27/pro-bowl-jeff-saturday-snap-to-peyton-manning/1868957/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNfl-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NFL+-+Top+Stories%29 | 171 |
The NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, two weeks later than in previous years as the league attempts to spur activity by allowing more time for the contenders and pretenders to separate. However don't expect a baseball-like flurry given only seven teams are currently two or more games south of the .500 mark in a league where parity, not disparity, continues to be the hallmark.
Still, there are numerous prospective moves out there that would seem to make sense. Here are five we'd propose:
Dwayne Bowe to the Cincinnati Bengals: He never did get the long-term deal he wanted and was forced to settle for the $9.5 million franchise tag in a city he apparently wants to leave. But the Bengals have the cap room to pay a player like Bowe long-term and, more important, they could clearly use a bona fide wingman to complement A.J. Green. Bowe isn't a transcendent talent, but his size and ability to move the chains would perfectly mesh with the field-stretching Green, who was essentially erased last week by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who didn't seem to fear Andy Dalton's other options. Meanwhile, Kansas CIty Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who already has a Bowe clone in Jonathan Baldwin, could get a nice parting gift for the free-agent-to-be ... assuming Pioli's still around to shape the roster in 2013.
Josh Cribbs to the Houston Texans: As well-balanced as they are offensively and defensively, the AFC South leaders have been abysmal on special teams. Not only was the Trindon Holliday experiment a failure in the return game, the Texans have also surrendered both a punt and kickoff return for a score. Enter Cribbs, who is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.4 million. He has 11 career return TDs, including a record eight on kickoffs, and has also been an ace on coverage units over the course of his eight-year career. Given the Texans' lack of experience behind starting wideouts Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter, Cribbs could also bring a welcome element to the passing game and even a touch of the Wildcat. The 1-6 Cleveland Browns could use any draft pick they can get.
Dwight Freeney to the New Orleans Saints: Steve Spagnuolo's defense has endured epic struggles this season. So why not import a guy with more than 100 career sacks who's headed for free agency and seems much better suited to Spagnuolo's D-line pressure packages than he is to being a converted linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts? New Indy GM Ryan Grigson has been an active wheeler-dealer, and this could be an avenue to facilitate the ongoing defensive makeover. The Saints should be able to accommodate the remainder of Freeney's $14 million salary. Such a move -- Detroit Lions pass rusher Cliff Avril could be potentially be a slightly cheaper alternative -- would seem even more imperative if Will Smith is eventually forced to serve his four-game bounty suspension.
Darren McFadden to the Green Bay Packers: Yes, Pack general manager Ted Thompson is known for building through the draft and treats his picks like bullion. But this team is in its prime title window, and Thompson has selectively imported outsiders -- Ryan Pickett, Jeff Saturday, Charles Woodson -- before. Currently averaging a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry, McFadden has yet to click in the Oakland Raiders' new offense. But imagine what a player with his skill set could do with the creases created by Green Bay's spread passing attack -- he'd certainly provide a home-run threat that Cedric Benson, James Starks and Ryan Grant have not in recent years. McFadden is currently under contract through 2013, due about $6 million next year. But what does Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie need more, his on-and-off speedster or perhaps a few draft picks from his old mentor to fund his rebuilding project?
Shaun Phillips to the New York Jets: The linebacker is playing out the final year of his contract for the San Diego Chargers, who have capable veteran Antwan Barnes and rookie first rounder Melvin Ingram in reserve. Phillips has 4.5 sacks, or 2.5 more than any member of the Jets, who could really use a bona fide pass rusher given they're operating without the blanketing coverage skills of injured Darrelle Revis on the back end. Rex Ryan wouldn't need to design so many blitzes while Bolts GM A.J. Smith could recoup some of the draft currency he's spent in recent springs ... assuming he's confident he'll keep his job for the next draft. | http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/10/26/five-nfl-trades/1660753/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNfl-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NFL+-+Top+Stories%29 | 969 |
It hasn't been easy for the Catholic High Crusaders this season.
And that's just the way they like it.
The Crusaders (7-3) enjoy the week-to-week challenge of taking on some of the area's best in the regular season.
But it all serves a purpose, and coach Greg Seibert hopes that purpose is realized tonight when the Crusaders travel to Jacksonville to open the Class 3A state playoffs against Trinity Christian.
"We have built the schedule, and I will continue to build the schedule, to prepare us to play in the playoffs," Seibert said. "There are 16 teams in our class that practiced (Monday) and that's important to us.
"That's a goal for us, whether we're 9-1, 2-8 or 6-4. We want to make the playoffs. The schedule is built to prepare us to do that."
Now that the Crusaders are there, it certainly won't get any easier, starting tonight in Jacksonville against the Conquerors. Trinity Christian (9-1) has been a state power since coach Verlon Dorminey took over in the 1990s.
The Conquerors are making their 18th consecutive playoff appearance and have played for the state title five times, winning three championships.
"I would suggest they're in the top 10 or 11 teams in the state of Florida, when it comes to team speed, across all classifications," Seibert said. "They've built a pretty good squad this year. I think Coach Dorminey is a little bit underrated for what he's been able to accomplish there."
Trinity's offense is an explosive one, led by quarterback Oshay Carter, who enters tonight's game with 1,284 yards and 21 touchdowns passing. Tailback Nick Washington leads the ground game with 671 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"They're really more balanced than you would think," Seibert said. "For many years, Dorminey was a Wing-T guy, but with the emergence of Carter, it's created a situation where they're a pretty dangerous offense.
"That's two styles that you have to defend. Carter is really the X-factor in that offense. He's 6-4 and 240 pounds and can run a little bit. Downs of less than three yards to go, you can rest assured he's going to run it and dare you to stop him." | http://www.usatodayhss.com/pensacola/article/playoff-preview-catholic-set-for-test-from-trinity-christian--2012311160026 | 502 |
Duathlon National Championship
The USA Triathlon 2012 Duathlon National Championship will be held in Tucson/Oro Valley, Arizona, on April 28, 2012.
The USAT Duathlon National Championship is presented by TriSports.com
2012 will offer another chance for competitors to race at the largest duathlon west of the Mississippi.
Transition will be located at Ventana Medical Systems in Oro Valley.
The race distances for the 2012 Duathlon National Championship will be as follows:
Standard Distance: 5k run, 35k bike, 5k run
Sprint Distance: 2.5k run, 17.5k bike, 2.5k run
The Duathlon National Championship features a paraduathlon wave. The paraduathlon wave serves as the Paraduathlon National Championship.
This year USA Triathlon will introduce a Sprint distance. There will be a Sprint open wave geared toward beginner duathletes. This is a chance for athletes to test the sport in a friendly environment without having to be intimidated by superior athletes. Athletes competing in the open division will not be eligible for national championship titles or awards.
NO ELITE WAVE
In 2012 there will NOT be an Elite Duathlon wave. The 2012 Elite Duathlon National Championship is in Pelham, Alabama on March 24, 2012. The Elite Duathlon National Championship will be partnered with the Powerman Alabama race. CLICK HERE to view the 2012 Elite Duathlon National Championship website.
Join the USA Triathlon team and become a volunteer for the Duathlon National Championship. If you are interested in volunteering please CLICK HERE.
Event Type: National
Entry Fee: Standard: $105; Sprint and Sprint Open: $70
Event Date: Apr. 28, 2012
Location: Tucson / Oro Valley, AZ, USA
Distance: Standard: 5k run, 35k bike, 5k run; Sprint: 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run
Find a Local Race
What is your go-to recovery tool? | http://www.usatriathlon.org/events/usat/2012/04/duathlon-national-championship.aspx | 414 |
Tara Reid Gets Engaged, Married in One Day
Hours after becoming engaged to Zack Kehayov, the 35-year-old tied the knot in Greece Saturday.
There was some confusion over whom Reid married, but on Monday, she clarified who the lucky guy is: "His name is Zack Kehayov," she tweeted. (The American Reunion actress recently ended her relationship with Danish businessman Michael Lilleun.)
Reid was previously engaged to Internet entrepreneur Michael Axtmann, but called it off in April 2010. She was also once engaged to The Voice host Carson Daly, but they split in June 2001. | http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/tara-reid-gets-engaged-married-in-one-day-2011148 | 130 |
Nation’s leading yogurt with mix-in toppings is now an official snack of US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization in the nation, announced that YoCrunch®, the nation’s leading yogurt with mix-in toppings, is an official sponsor.
The new partnership will highlight YoCrunch’s fun and delicious yogurts with toppings as an official snack for players, as well as provide US Youth Soccer coaches, administrators and parents with important information to ensure that snack time is more nutritious and hassle-free.
"Opting for a YoCrunch fruit parfait with granola after the big game is a healthy and fun way for players to get calcium and protein in a low-fat snack that also tastes great," said YoCrunch Senior Director of Marketing Jeff Hunt. "Young athletes are looking for an edge on and off the field and we believe YoCrunch goes beyond the basic boring yogurt cup to give them a more nutritious snack with a kick."
YoCrunch will reach the more than three million youth players and one million adults engaged with US Youth Soccer by providing helpful snacking resources including a snacking guide and team snack list available on USYouthSoccer.org. Special offers on YoCrunch products and an online soccer game will also be available on the site throughout the sponsorship.
"We are pleased to welcome YoCrunch as a US Youth Soccer sponsor," said US Youth Soccer Executive Director Jim Cosgrove. "Not only are our members passionate about soccer and furthering their skills but they are also concerned about eating and staying healthy, and that’s why YoCrunch is such a great fit for us."
For more information on YoCrunch please visit www.YoCrunch.com. For more information on US Youth Soccer and to download the post-game snack guide and snack list, please visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.
About YoCrunch Yogurt
YoCrunch Yogurt provides a break from boring snacking – it’s a fun snack that allows kids and adults to play with their food and receive all the benefits of yogurt. The YoCrunch® brand is America's fastest-growing, full line yogurt manufacturer. YoCrunch combines smooth, creamy nonfat yogurt conveniently packaged together with a wide variety of crunchy mix-ins including granola, M&M's® Chocolate Candies, Nestle® Crunch® candy, Reese’s® Pieces® candy, OREO® cookie pieces, Butterfinger® pieces and Chips AHOY!® cookie pieces, as well as the YoCrunch® Fruit Parfait™ line and Greek yogurt with toppings. For more information please visit www.YoCrunch.com.
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org. | http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/us_youth_soccer_announces_yocrunch_sponsorship/?story_id=3912 | 676 |
Recap: Cal Poly vs. UC Santa Barbara
San Luis Obispo, CA (Sports Network) - Dylan Royer scored 23 points as the Cal Poly Mustangs crushed the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, 67-49 in a Big West Conference matchup at Mott Gym.
Also scoring in double figures for the Mustangs (12-11, 8-5 Big West) was Kyle Odister with 11 points off the bench as the team logged a third straight win.
The Gauchos (8-16, 4-9), losers of six of the last seven outings, were paced by Alan Williams who produced a huge double-double consisting of 24 points and 17 rebounds, but Michael Bryson was the only other double-digit scorer for the group with 10 points off the bench before fouling out.
Cal Poly shot just 9-of-30 from the floor in the first half, including 3-of-13 behind the 3-point line, but thanks to an 8-of-9 showing at the free-throw line the host was still able to put up a 29-21 lead at the break.
In the second half the Mustangs left no doubt as they connected on 8-of-17 shots on the perimeter in order to cruise to the 18-point win.
UCSB was guilty of 16 turnovers and managed to pull down just five offensive rebounds on the night.Game Notes | http://www.utv44.com/sports/cbaskm/l.ncaa.org.mbasket-2012-e.63858/game.aspx | 290 |
Nov. 30, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin wrestling team’s two ranked wrestlers, No. 8 Tyler Graff and No. 15 Connor Medbery, continued to impress Friday night, winning their bouts and advancing to the semi-finals at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev.
Wrestling as the No. 3 seed at 141 lbs., Graff opened up the afternoon with a dominating tech fall win over Utah Valley University’s Avery Garner, 21-6, before defeating Northern Iowa’s Joey Lazor by major decision, 17-6. It was the second time in less than a week that Graff defeated Lazor, earning the win by fall in the Badgers’ dual against the Panthers last week.
Graff finished up his evening with a 9-3 decision over Harvard’s Steven Keith. The junior will wrestle No. 2 seed Michael Mangrum of Oregon State in the semi-finals on Saturday.
A first-round bye at heavyweight for Medbery led to an 8-2 win over California Baptist’s Charles Merrill. Medbery will face Cornell Stryker Lane in the semi-finals.
Despite a first-round loss to No. 8 seed Levi Wolfensperger, Tom Kelliher (133 lbs.) bounced back to win three-straight matches to advance to Saturday’s consolation round where he will face Kent State’s Kyle Bauer.
At 174 lbs., Scott Liegel opened up his day with an 8-4 decision over American’s Keithen Cast and a 10-1 major decision over North Idaho’s Kyle Sweedman. A 17-6 major decision loss to No. 1 seed Robert Kokesh of Nebraska bumped Liegel down to the consolation round where he will face Oregon State’s Austin Morhead on Saturday.
No. 8 seed Jackson Hein will continue his tournament run against Michigan’s Maxwell Huntley on Saturday. Hein opened up competition with a 9-3 decision over Navy’s Peter Huntley before falling to No. 9 seed Jace Bennett (Cornell), 4-0. Hein earned a pair of wins, defeating Riley Argyle (Cornell) by fall in 4:01 and Army’s Bryce Barnes by decision, 8-3.
With two wrestlers still undefeated and three wrestling in the consolation round, the Badgers sit in 10th place with 32.5 points. Ohio State is in first place with eight wrestlers still alive and 85.0 points, while Missouri is in second with nine wrestlers and 80.5 points.
Action continues on Saturday with consolation round four beginning at 11 a.m. (CT). Semi-finals start at noon and championship finals get underway at 5 p.m.
William Watterson (Brown) dec. Matt Cavallaris (WIS), 6-0
Matt Cavallaris (WIS) dec. Taylor Hall (California Baptist), 4-1
Jesse Hillhouse (CSU) dec. Matt Cavallaris, 4-2 SV
No. 8 Levi Wolfensperger (UNI) maj. dec. Tom Kelliher, 14-4
Tom Kelliher (WIS) dec. Isiah Hurtado (San Francisco State), 5-0
Tom Kelliher (WIS) dec. Chasen Tolbert (Utah Valley University), 7-3
Tom Kelliher (WIS) dec. Rosario Bruno (MICH), 4-1
Tom Kelliher (WIS) vs. Kyle Bauer (Kent State)
No. 3 Tyler Graff (WIS) tech fall Avery Garner (UVU), 21-6
No. 3 Tyler Graff (WIS) maj. dec. Joey Lazor (UNI), 17-6
No. 3 Tyler Graff (WIS) dec. Steven Keith (Harvard), 9-3
No. 3 Tyler Graff (WIS) vs. No. 2 Michael Mangrum (Oregon State)
No. 8 Jake Sueflohn (Nebraska) dec. Cole Schmitt (WIS), 9-2
Cole Schmitt (WIS) dec. Paul Liguori (Harvard), 5-0
No. 10 Daniel Young (Army) dec. Cole Schmitt (WIS), 5-4
No. 5 David Bonin (UNI) dec. Kalvin York (WIS), 9-6
Kalvin York (WIS) tech. fall Paul Miller (California Baptist), 17-0
Kalvin York (WIS) dec. Mallie Shuster (Kent State), 5-3
Kyle Chene (Cal Poly) dec. Kalvin York (WIS), 12-9
Charlie McMartin (Northern Colorado)dec. Ben Cox (WIS), 9-5
Curtis Cook (UVU) dec. Ben Cox (WIS), 6-0
Scott Liegel (WIS) dec. Keithen Cast (American), 8-4
Scott Liegel (WIS) maj. dec. Kyle Sweedman (North Idaho), 10-1
No. 1 Robert Kokesh (Nebraska) maj. dec. Scott Liegel (WIS), 17-6
Scott Liegel (WIS) vs. Austin Morhead (Oregon State)
No. 8 Jackson Hein (WIS) dec. Peter Huntley (Navy), 9-3
No. 9 Jace Bennett (Cornell) dec. Jackson Hein (WIS), 4-0
Jackson Hein (WIS) fall Riley Argyle (Western Wyoming College), 4:01
Jackson Hein (WIS) dec. Bryce Barnes (Army), 8-3
Jackson Hein (WIS) vs. Maxwell Huntley (MICH)
No 5 Connor Medbery (WIS), Bye
No. 5 Connor Medbery (WIS) dec. Charles Merrill (California Baptist), 8-2
No. 5 Connor Medbery (WIS) vs. Stryker Lane (Cornell) | http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/113012aab.html | 1,261 |
|Men's Basketball » Schedule » Roster » News » Coaches » 2012-13 Season Statistics||VALPOATHLETICS.COM|
Hot Shooting Second Half, Rebounding Propel South Florida Past Valpo
Tuesday, November 25, 2003Valparaiso, Ind. - South Florida shot 54 percent in the second half and came back from an 11-point deficit to defeat Valpo 64-62. Dan Oppland led the Crusaders (1-2) with 13 points, while Jimmie Miles added 10 off the bench. South Florida's Bradley Mosley led all scorers with 16 points, including 12 in the second half.
Valpo had an opportunity to tie the game at the end, but Ali Berdiel's six-foot jumper rimmed out at the buzzer. After Berdiel tied the game with two free throws with 1:21 remaining, Mosley made a driving layup at the 1:05 mark to give the Bulls (2-0) a 64-62 lead. The opportunity for a potential game-winning shot by Berdiel was made possible by Joaquim Gomes's block of Mosley's attempted layup with :19 left.
After Valpo led 35-28 at halftime, the Crusaders outscored USF 8-4 to take a 43-32 lead with 17:08 remaining. Oppland, a 6'8" sophomore, and freshman Jimmie Miles each netted three points during the run.
South Florida gradually began chipping away at the Crusaders' lead and closed the gap to one point on two separate occasions. The Bulls took their first second-half lead (50-49) with 10:25 left on a layup by Brandon Brigman. A jumper by Gomes allowed Valpo to regain the lead, but Brigman made a short jumper to take the one-point advantage (52-51) back with 9:42 remaining.
After the game was tied at 54-54 with seven minutes left, the Bulls built a five-point lead (60-55) with 3:37 remaining on baskets by Brigman and Terrence Leather. Roberto Nieves made a short jumper and converted the free throw after being fouled to pull Valpo with 60-58. Oppland and Nieves each split a pair of free throws as the Crusaders tied the game at 60-60 with just under two minutes remaining. Mosley made a layup prior to Berdiel's game-tying charity tosses.
Rebounding was a huge factor in the contest as USF outboarded the Crusaders 40-27. Leather, who scored 10 points, topped all rebounders with 10. Even more significant was the battle on the offensive glass as USF had 16 offensive rebounds to nine for Valpo. The Bulls had eight second-chance points in the second half to two for the Crusaders.
Valpo finished shooting 39 percent overall, including 29 percent (4-14) from 3-point range. Free throws kept the Crusaders close as Valpo drained 20 of 27 (74 percent) to USF's 9 of 16 (56 percent). South Florida shot 46 percent overall, including 27 percent (3-11) from beyond the arc.
Valpo will be away from game competition until Tuesday, December 2 when it hosts #19-ranked Cincinnati at 7:05 p.m.
Men's Basketball Archives
2003-04 Men's Basketball | http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2003-04/5324/hot-shooting-second-half-rebounding-propel-south-florida-past-valpo/ | 708 |
|Men's Cross Country » Schedule » Roster » News » Coaches » 2012 Season Statistics||VALPOATHLETICS.COM|
Valpo Season Ends at NCAA Regionals
Saturday, November 13, 2004Valparaiso University saw its 2004 cross country season come to a close at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships held on Saturday morning in Ypsilanti, Mich.
The Crusaders finished in 29th place totaling 885 points. Wisconsin was the regional champion with 47 points, followed by Notre Dame with 82 and Butler with 102.
Adam Piaskowy (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders with a 118th place finish overall with a time of 33:15.1 over the ten-kilometer course. The senior's time was the third fastest 10K time in school history in his final race wearing the Brown and Gold.
David Iott (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger H.S.), also running in his final meet, was second across the finish line for the Brown and Gold, placing 189th overall with a time of 36:16.8. Michael Brouch (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) was 191st overall with a time of 36:53.2.
Richie White (Munster, Ind./Munster H.S.) finished 193rd overall with a time of 37:37.9, while Michael Landmeier (Saint Charles, Ill./Saint Charles East H.S.) rounded out the line-up in 194th place with a time of 39:13.7.
Men's Cross Country Archives
2004-05 Men's Cross Country | http://www.valpoathletics.com/mcc/news/2004-05/7043/valpo-season-ends-at-ncaa-regionals/ | 352 |
Asked before the game if he has encountered less hostility this season with Zack Kassian on his wing, Canuck captain Henrik Sedin said: “I don’t know, no one has really done anything to us.”
Then Sedin went out and played like Hammerin’ Hank. He had three hits for the Vancouver Canucks Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, which says everything you need to know about the type of game it was.
“He was a beast out there,” Canuck coach Alain Vigneault said of his captain.
All the big smashes were in Davis Cup over at the University of B.C., where Canada gooned Spain 2-0 on Day 1.
At the rink, the Canucks have more toughness throughout their lineup than they’ve had in years. Kassian is on the first line. Dale Weise, often the lone policeman last season, is on the third. Aaron Volpatti is on the fourth line.
Kevin Bieksa is the combative defenceman, but blue-liner Keith Ballard will fight and so will depth forward Max Lapierre.
So if there was ever a time to go into the back alley with the Chicago Blackhawks, conspicuous for their shortage of overt toughness only a couple of years after they were about the fiercest team in the National Hockey League, it was Friday.
Naturally, the game was almost a no-hitter.
The most dangerous skater was 20-year-old Chicago rookie Brandon Saad, and the most physical was Sedin, whose only NHL fights have been with brother Daniel over dinner tabs. And the game was decided by 5-8 Vancouver rookie Jordan Schroeder, who has yet to score a real NHL goal but gets credit for the winner in a shootout as the Canucks won 2-1.
With much pre-game talk of revenge or retribution, Daniel Sedin said the best payback for Blackhawk defenceman Duncan Keith’s concussive headshot against him last season would be two points. Daniel got his wish, although his twin seemed to be channelling Dave Schultz on one second-period shift when he threw three hits — typically, a physical month for Henrik — with the last of them toppling Keith in the corner after he was rubbed into the boards by Daniel.
Hey, you mess with one Sedin, you mess with the whole family.
The game had plenty of speed, not so many scoring chances and almost none of the menacing tension some expected.
And this suited the Blackhawks fine.
Ben Eager, Troy Brouwer, Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg and Adam Burish don’t play in Chicago any more, which was forced to purge its payroll after winning the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Officially, the hits Friday were 22-6 for Vancouver.
The Blackhawks have been remade around its elite core into something different, skill over brawn in the depth positions, but still extremely good.
The Canucks have been tweaked as well, and nobody in Vancouver need worry any more about the Sedins being used as a punching bag by Boston Bruin Brad Marchand or anybody else.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen again,” Kassian said after Friday morning’s skate. “That’s one of the reasons I’m playing with them — for that stuff not to happen. I’m going to make sure those guys feel protected. But I don’t need to stand there and be their bodyguard; I need to play with them and make plays.
“I think we have a great group of guys, a unique group, because we don’t have anyone who sits on the bench and gets tapped on the shoulder to go out and fight. But it’s nice to have people with you, like Volpatti and Weise and Bieksa and Ballard, who stand up for each other and have each other’s back.”
Kassian’s effectiveness as deterrent is evident in that he has had to do very little policing.
He fought Eager, knocking him from the Edmonton Oilers’ lineup, two weeks ago and also engaged formidable Ryane Clowe when the Canucks were flatlining in San Jose and trailing the Sharks last weekend.
But he didn’t need to do anything Friday except play because no one messed with the Sedins.
Kassian, displaying the vision and puck poise that has made him a revelation so far in just his second NHL season, found Alex Edler through traffic to set up the Canucks’ only goal in regulation time.
“Sometimes the emotions get to you,” Kassian said of managing his temper and not taking penalties.
“A couple of times in Chicago (in the AHL) they got to me, and I heard about it from (coach) Scott Arniel. So I channel my energy now.”
“I think we are a tougher team, but the big thing isn’t that we have guys who fight but that our guys who fight can also play,” Ballard said. “It’s not like we have a four-minute guy coming off the bench to fight. I think we’re a tougher team this way.”
If you measure toughness in five-minute increments, which is at least a little superficial, the Canucks have seven fighting majors in eight games this season. Last season, they had 38 in 82 games and the year before, 29 in 82.
And all this will be largely irrelevant if the Canucks don’t maintain the level of regular-season success they’ve established the last four years. Friday’s win nudged them to 4-2-2.
Their offence clearly misses injured second-line centre Ryan Kesler, but their defensive game is sharp again and the Canucks are getting a helluva season out of their backup goalie, Roberto whatshisname.
“I always thought we had a few guys who could step up and answer the bell, but now it seems we have more,” winger Alex Burrows said. “Dale and Aaron and other guys can answer the bell and it’s always nice to have that element in your lineup.”
Even when no bells are rung, like Friday. | http://www.vanhockey.com/2013/02/01/unleashing-the-beast-in-hammerin-hank/ | 1,337 |
Oak View High School
Location: Oak Park
District: Oak Park Unified
Principal: Lou Tabone
Twelve students representing the class of 2012 at Oak View High School celebrated commencement Friday evening at the pavilion at Oak Park High School.
It was deja vu of sorts for Roger and Andrea Martin, parents of 18-year-old triplets, who 24 hours earlier had watched sons Andrew and Steven graduate from Oak Park High.
The couple said they were very excited to see daughter Amanda receive her diploma after attending the continuation school.
"She was having a tougher time there (at Oak Park High School) and coming to Oak View, she really enjoyed it with the more personal teaching," Roger Martin said.
"She excelled here; she really did," Andrea Martin said of her daughter, who will be going on to Moorpark College.
Kathryn Lynn Rytterager-Nickel, 18, said she plans to attend Moorpark College and then transfer to San Diego State University.
"I was doing really poorly at Oak Park High, and Oak View was my second chance at succeeding in life and accomplishing my goals," she said.
Nicholas Rossiter, 18, said he was definitely ready to put high school behind him.
"I am ready to graduate, finally getting out of the bubble of Oak Park and be able to go out into the world and start my life," he said.
"Oak View was a smaller environment with more caring teachers and students who helped me get through all my hardships," he said.
Anthony Palacios said deciding to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps is what motivated him to complete high school and get his diploma.
"I decided to serve my country and put in my time and try to help others. It's something I've wanted to do for a very long time," he said. "I think once I accomplish that goal, I'll have a sense of pride and ownership of what I've done."
He leaves for training in August.
Justin Karotkin, 18, of Agoura Hills, said he plans to attend Moorpark College and then transfer to San Diego State to study radiation therapy.
"My grandma has cancer, and I appreciate the people who help her and I want to be one of those people helping other people," he said.
Superintendent Tony Knight, who began his career in the Oak Park Unified School District at Oak View High, congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments.
"You've had to overcome adversity in your own lives," Knight said. "Your experience at this amazing school has altered your future.
"At Oak View, you have learned to think before you act. You have learned to make decisions that will have a positive outcome on your life. Above all, you have learned that people deserve a second chance and that's the best gift you can give a human being. Take those lessons and make them a part of who you are." | http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jun/15/grads-thankful-for-help-received-at-oak-view/ | 609 |
Nugent, though, has even bigger things on his mind.
“I’m feeling good and looking forward to seeing how everything turns out,” he said. “This is kind of a warm up for the Olympic Trials, but I’m here to compete. It should be interesting.”
That’s right, Nugent is set to compete in the Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on June 23 at 9:30 a.m.
He said the entirety of his season has been spent in preparation for that one race.
“It’s all about peaking at the right time,” he said. “Of course, I want to win a national title and a team title, but it’s an Olympic year and it’s time to get ready for that as well.”
Still, Nugent is realistic about his chances.
“Unfortunately for me, right now there are some of the most legendary hurdlers of all time that are professional,” he said. “The next trials will be completely different though. I’ll be older and more experienced.”
Nugent, who is just 14 semester hours and one internship from receiving his degree in disaster studies, will no longer be eligible to compete in collegiate sports after this season. He said his intention is to turn professional as a hurdler after this season is over.
“Hopefully I land on a good agent,” he said. “All signs are pointing at going pro, so why not?”
Nugent said he is beside himself at the mere thought of a pro career in track.
“Coming out of high school, my thinking wasn’t of going professional; it was just to get through college,” he said. “I’ve done that, so now it’s on to the next step.”
Nugent said he is just happy to know his hurdling career will still have legs after this week.
“I still have track ahead of me no matter what,” he said. “If I don’t make the Olympic team, I’ve got a meet in Mexico coming up. It’s sort of like a Pro Bowl for college athletes. It’s the top-two in every event.”
Regardless of what his future holds, Nugent has some big races ahead this week.
“Now it’s just time to kick it into another gear,” he said. “It’s a very fun time.”
On Wednesday at 7:15 p.m., Nugent will run the lead leg on the Tigers’ 4x100 meter relay team, as it attempts to qualify for the final of that event on Saturday at 11:03 p.m.
However the relays turn out for LSU, Nugent said he knows he is done running them after this week.
“They’ll just put an Olympic team together with some fast 100 runners,” he said with a laugh. “They won’t need a hurdler.”
On Thursday at 6:50 p.m., Nugent will attempt to qualify for the finals in his bread-and-butter event: the 110 meter hurdles. The finals are at 12:07 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. | http://www.vermiliontoday.com/view/full_story/18866583/article-Big-things-ahead-for-former-NV-Patriot-Nugent?instance=sports_special_coverage_left_column | 732 |
As part of the rookies' orientation into life as professional athletes, the WNBA for the first time offered them hour-long courses on makeup and fashion tips. The courses, at an O'Hare airport hotel, made up about a third of the two-day orientation, which also featured seminars on financial advice, media training and fitness and nutrition.
This is not as drastic a move as one may think. After cooling off from my initial shock and anger, I realized that this is just one more step in the craptastic direction of making some of the strongest and best athletes in the world into cheesecake pin-ups. Lisa Leslie of the LA Sparks was never seen without lip gloss on. Now, she may be a fan of the lip gloss and that's fine, but she was THE face for the WNBA for many years and after having a child last season, she's back. Yes, she is one of the best players, but she's also one of the most feminine one as well.
The photo I've posted is from a 'behind the scenes' photo album. The first three photos are of the players getting all gussied up aka all girly. Candace Parker, in the photo, has joined Lisa Leslie in LA and are being marketed as not just a pair of kick ass players, but the photos of them (which I can't find now!) are super girly.
I've been musing in my head the idea and fact that girls today can jump from their pink dresses into cleats without much thought, so why am I so pissed? I'm pissed because I fear that the focus on these athletes’ outer appearance reduces the positive influence of sports and is downplaying their achievements on the court:
Susan Ziegler, a Cleveland State professor of sports psychology, said disparity in wages and media coverage between male and female athletes, along with a battle against perceived negative stereotypes, are factors in marketing female sports figures for their physicality rather than their athletic assets.
The WNBA, she said, seems to be becoming more image-conscious.
"No. 1 is, of course, the need for the image of WNBA players to be seen as real women," Ziegler said. "That comes from the lesbian homophobia that surrounds women in sports in general."
Ziegler has done extensive research on female athletes being sexualized through the media. Even with something as common as applying lipstick, promoting physical appeal can take away from the athletes' legitimacy, she says.
"Once you begin to worry about how the person looks as opposed to how she plays, you've crossed the line into dangerous play," Ziegler said. "We're not really focused on marketing them as athletes but as feminine objects."
Did ya see that? The WNBA is still "fighting" the image that all their players are ugly lesbians. *sigh* Our collective fear of the Lavender Menace never seems to leave us! Feminist Law Professors sees how the inevitable impossible beauty standard we hold actors and other entertainers was bound to leak down into sports. Not to mention the WNBA's view that about womanhoood.
Forget about the Miley Cyrus photos…This is a much bigger danger to our daughters. What does this really tell our girls? That your amazing jump shot and great ball handling skills doesn’t mean much if you can’t apply eye liner (something I didn’t attempt until I was in my 30s) or know what type of skirt is in fashion?
The reality is that every girl growing up in America today knows all of this. My generation knew it once we say cute Mary Lou Retton everywhere and saw this line of thought devolve into Anna Kornakova-mania. Cute sells, plain and simple. But somewhere in all of this, I thought that a sport that relied solely on skill (gymnastics has artistry points) like tennis, basketball, and soccer would be free from beauty sells. Luckily for the marketing gurus, cute girls play softball too.
Despite this reality do we really need a women’s professional sports league to send yet another message to us that we need to not just practice our free throws, but also know how to "how to perfect [our] arcs" on our eye lids? I’m still going to buy some tickets for the Chicago Sky, but I just might skip the eyeliner that night…maybe.
Oops...forgot my hat tip to Women's Hoops for alerting me of the story. This blogger always tries to give credit where credit is due! | http://www.vivalafeminista.com/2008/05/wnba-rookie-camp-includes-visit-from.html | 949 |
Event: 2012 Olympic Games
Dates: July 27-August 12, 2012
Location: London, England
Volleyball has been apart of the Summer Olympic games since 1964, where they were held in Tokyo, Japan. The history of Olympic volleyball can be traced back to the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where volleyball was played as part of an American sports demonstration event. Consideration of its addition to the Olympic program, however, was given only after World War II, with the foundation of the FIVB and of some of the continental confederations. In 1957, a special tournament was held at the 53rd IOC session in Sofia, Bulgaria to support such request. The competition was a success, and the sport was officially introduced in 1964.
Canada’s first appearance in the Olympic Games was in 1976, where Canada played host in Montreal. Both teams finished in 8th place. In 1980, Canada boycotted the Olympics all together for political reasons. In 1984, both teams qualified again for the games, where the Canadian men had their best finish to date. They battled Italy in the bronze medal match, going down in three sets. The women finished in 8th place. In 1992 the men’s team qualified and achieved 10th place, finishing ahead of France and Algeria. 1996 was the last year to date where a Canadian team played in the games. The women’s team competed in Atlanta, and finished in the top 10 in 9th place, tying with Japan and finishing ahead of Peru and Ukraine.
Beach Volleyball was a demonstration sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics and was introduced as an official Olympic event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. At those games, Canadians John Child and Mark Heese won the Bronze medal, and also went on to represent Canada at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics Canada failed to qualify a team in the men's or women's categories for the first time since the event was held in 1996. | http://www.volleyball.ca/content/olympic-games | 410 |
It was nearly a year ago, when John Wall was seated on a couch in the Los Angeles home of his agent, Dan Fegan, pondering his future and anxiously awaiting the results of the NBA draft lottery. When the Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, Wall was surprised, but not nearly as shocked as former majority owner Irene Pollin, whose wide-open mouth and widened eyes encapsulated the stunning development for a franchise that rarely experiences much luck.
A month after completing his rookie season, Wall was sent to NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J., to represent the team as the undisputed face of the franchise. He wanted to borrow Pollin’s yellow blazer, or possibly bring up some pearls, but when those efforts failed, Wall brought the only good luck charm he could find: His mother, Frances Pulley.
“She couldn’t be there when I was in L.A.,” Wall said. “She was back home. I just wanted her to see how it was.”
Pulley was in the audience to see her son deliver the sixth pick for the Wizards.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the top choice, with Minnesota going second and Utah going third.
The Wizards were hoping to become the first team since Orlando in 1992 and 1993 to win the draft lottery in consecutive years. They had the fourth-best odds (an 11.9 percent chance) to win, but instead dropped two spots after both Cleveland and Utah leaped into the top three.
Since 1980, the Wizards have selected sixth on three previous occasions and wound up picking Calbert Cheaney in 1993, Tom Gugliotta in 1992 and Mel Turpin in 1984. | http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wizards-insider/post/wizards-get-no-6-pick-in-nba-draft-lottery/2011/05/17/AFj2n55G_blog.html | 355 |
In the Washington Redskins‘ locker room late Sunday afternoon, amid the dazed looks and downcast eyes, Barry Cofield said something interesting: “We get to finger-pointing this early in the season, it can be a disaster.”
Nobody on the Washington side was playing the blame game after the team’s latest gut-punch of a defeat, a 27-23 loss to the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, but it would have been easy to. When you get beaten by a 77-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 left — two plays after your rookie quarterback has taken you down the field for the go-ahead score — emotions can run high. Especially in an organization that has been down as long as the Redskins have.
In fact, if Jim Zorn was coaching this club instead of Mike Shanahan, there’s a good chance we’d be hearing the word “consultant” this week. As in: The Redskins have brought in a defensive consultant to see if he can stop the bleeding in Jim Haslett’s secondary. They’ve certainly put out calls for EMTs before (e.g. Sherman Lewis, Joe Bugel, Foge Fazio and Bill Arnsparger).
Let’s face it, the Redskins, during the Snyder years, have been great finger-pointers. After last season’s struggles, you may recall, they fired two assistants — one of whom, Steve Jackson, oversaw the safeties. His replacement, former Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris, was supposed to be a major upgrade. Well, how’s that goin’? The Redskins are on pace to give up more than 5,000 passing yards, which would be an NFL record, and repeatedly have been burned by deep balls.
What I’m driving at is this: For the most part in the NFL, you are what you are, regardless of who’s coaching you. If the talent isn’t there, the performance isn’t going to be there. And for the past two seasons, the Redskins have had four starters in their secondary who, individually, wouldn’t be considered better than average. When your best DB is average, when that’s your ceiling, offenses will throw and throw and throw some more. It’s the path of least resistance.
The Redskins‘ problems have been compounded by the season-ending injury to Brian Orakpo, their most troublesome pass rusher. So much so that only once in the first seven weeks have they given up less than 300 yards through the air. (That was against the Bucs, who they “held” to 293.) No one would suggest Haslett is the next Buddy Ryan, but his options are fairly limited with the personnel on hand. I mean, if I were a quarterback and saw DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, Madieu Williams and Reed Doughty lining up opposite my receivers, I’d fire away, too.
It’s a scary time to be a defensive coordinator. All the rule changes have thrown the game out of whack, pushed offenses further and further in the direction of the pass. Teams will send out five receivers, with the QB operating out of the shotgun, and good luck trying to cover them. Think about it: Who would want to be a defensive back these days? There’s hardly any glory in it anymore. Worse, you feel like you’re going against a stacked deck, like you’re running uphill and the receiver’s running downhill.
Trying to protect a lead at the end of a game is a nightmare. Sure, the Redskins secondary messed up Sunday — but only after the Giants messed up and let Robert Griffin III direct a 77-yard touchdown drive capped by a 30-yard toss to Santana Moss. In a league of one-possession games, it basically comes down to: Who messes up last?
The two Super Bowl finalists last year, the Giants and New England Patriots, tied for 20th in pass defense (based on opposing-quarterback rating). That says a lot about the state of secondary play in the NFL. Against the Minnesota Vikings, the 32nd-ranked pass defense, QBs had a rating of 107.6. To put this futility in perspective, Tom Brady had a rating of 105.6 last season and Drew Brees had a rating of 110.6.
None of this is meant to excuse what happened Sunday at MetLife Stadium. When you’re in double-coverage against a receiver, as Wilson and Williams were against Victor Cruz, you simply can’t let him get behind you. But is that a coaching mistake, a player mistake, a personnel department mistake — or some combination of the three? Where exactly does the buck stop?
Wherever it does, the Redskins can’t dwell on it — now, at least. The offseason is another matter; but at this stage, as Cofield said, finger-pointing does no good. There are no Ronnie Lotts or Rod Woodsons out on the street, waiting to be signed. There are no miracle-working defensive consultants sitting by the phone, either.
The Redskins have made their bed with these players and this coaching staff. Now they have to find a way to sleep in it — without falling out, time and again, onto the cold, hard floor.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Dan Daly has been writing about sports for the Washington Times since 1982. He has won numerous national and local awards, appears regularly in NFL Films’ historical features and is the co-author of “The Pro Football Chronicle,” a decade-by-decade history of the game. Follow Dan on Twitter at @dandalyonsports –- or e-mail him at [email protected].
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The world impacts us. What happens in our towns, cities, states, country and on this planet makes a difference to us.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
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California wildfires wreak havoc | http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/22/daly-no-quick-fix-for-redskins-dreadful-secondary/ | 1,383 |
Jim, thanks for your patience. I realize you submitted this question before the player to be named later was announced. Pitcher Chris Devenski wasn't drafted until the 25th round of the 2011 draft, but he struck out 59 in 66 2/3 innings with Class-A Kannapolis. I'd say the trade was worth it for the Sox. Judging by the three pitchers Houston acquired from the Sox, I'd say the Astros were looking at 2014 for those those pitchers to start making an impact.
Ask Mark Gonzales about the White SoxSend a question to the Tribune's White Sox beat writer.
- White Sox game photos
Do you think the Sox will finally give up on Gordon Beckham after this year? It's his fourth dang year and he still can't hit. South Side Cliffy, Chicago
I haven't seen anyone's skills decline so rapidly as those of Wells, although he did make an impressive catch last weekend. And he did predict in early March that Alex Rios was going to have a rebound year. The second half of Jermaine Dye's 2009 season wasn't pretty, either. Remember that the Sox and Cincinnati had talks the previous winter about Dye and Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, so the Sox must have known something was up with Dye.
Gordon is playing a Gold Glove-caliber second base, and the Sox can afford him at second only because the offense has been so productive. Nevertheless, I expected better production out of him. Maybe a productive two months can salvage his season.
How serious is the injury to Keon Barnum at Advanced Rookie-Bristol, and when might he play again? Leonard M., Oak Lawn
What's up with White Sox prospect and high draft pick Keon Barnum? He played five games with the Sox A ball affiliate in Bristol, is listed as being active on the Bristol roster, yet hasn't played in over a month now. Jack L., Lake Forest, Calif.
Barnum missed nearly six weeks because of a shoulder injury but returned Saturday and has hit safely in his first three games since returning.
The departure of Ozzie Guillen seems to have had a positive impact not only on the the players in the clubhouse but also on management as well. Kenny Williams seems to have come to life and has been acting like a savvy veteran GM for a change. His focus and creativity is reminiscent of 2005. Do you think that getting Ozzie out of the picture helped KW snap his streak of being on the wrong side of one-sided trades? Al H.
No, because the only player Ozzie pushed for re-signing was Mark Kotsay. The theory of bringing back Kotsay for 2010 was good because it gave the Sox a rotating designated hitter setup and a chance to keep guys fresh. It would have worked beautifully had Kotsay hit in the clutch or hit left-handers with some semblance of success.
Alejandro De Aza played well the final two months under Ozzie.
I know pitching is important, but you have to score to win. Why don't the Sox realize they need more hitting? Reed Johnson would been a good addition. In fact, the Cubs traded everything the Sox needed. Why didn't the Sox go there? Ted Cee, Las Vegas
Just like the Jermaine Dye situation in 2007, it would have to be a lopsided trade in favor of the team trading the veteran player. I still think they could use a veteran left-handed reliever to take the load off Matt Thornton.
Regarding regulars with expiring contracts, who do you believe will still be with the Sox next year? I think we can't let Youk and A.J. leave with no one else there to get a hit once in a while. I don't agree with Hawk that Tyler Flowers is having a great year by "putting the numbers" down. I believe Thornton, Jesse Crain and Jake Peavy are also in walk years. I'm pretty sure Orlando Hudson and Rey Olmedo will not be back, so the bench will have to be addessed too. Bob S., Fort Mohave, Ariz.
What are you hearing about resigning A.J. and Peavy for the next season or seasons? Cary, Grayslake
Youkilis gives the Sox a dimension they haven't had since the Middle Ages: a No. 2 hitter who works deep counts and can hit for power and to all fields. He's been a terrific addition, and I think the Sox should look into bringing him back. Kevin will likely become a free agent, so he owes it to himself and his family to see what's best for him.
A.J. has played himself into a lucrative situation. This will be his last lucrative contract, so he owes it to himself as well to see what's out there. His performance might have put him elsewhere for more money, and he's deserved that.
Thornton and Crain are under contract through 2013. The Sox hold a $22 million option on Peavy with a $4 million buyout. Like Youkilis and A.J., Jake might owe it to himself to see what the market is for him. But I've seen him evolve into a bonafide leader of the pitching staff. | http://www.wask.com/waskfm/sports/chi-sox-askmark-120807,0,552000.story | 1,090 |
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News & Match Reports
3:09pm Sunday 12th May 2013
Watford are at Wembley and one match away from promotion to the Premier League. The incredible story of how they got there will go down in football folklore.
9:59pm Thursday 9th May 2013
Watford will have to overturn a one-goal deficit in three days time if they are to reach Wembley and keep their promotion dream alive after losing the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Leicester City tonight.
3:22pm Saturday 4th May 2013
So it is to be the play-offs for Watford and a quick return to Leicester City on Thursday night after the Hornets’ automatic promotion dream was ended by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds United. But the scoreline scarcely begins to tell the story of quite incredible afternoon, the like of which Vicarage Road is unlikely to witness again.
9:59pm Friday 26th April 2013
Watford have done what they needed to. They beat Leicester City 2-1 tonight to record a club record-equalling 12th away win of the season at the King Power Stadium. If Hull City do not win at Barnsley tomorrow, the race for automatic promotion goes down to the last Saturday of the season.
5:10pm Saturday 20th April 2013
Watford made certain of their play-off place but will now travel to Leicester City on Friday night looking to close the gap to second-placed Hull City to just a single point after an excellent second-half showing eased some of the recent frustrations as Blackburn Rovers were emphatically beaten 4-0 at Vicarage Road this afternoon.
9:51pm Tuesday 16th April 2013
Watford failed to take advantage of Hull City’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers as a late Shaun Batt goal saw the Hornets suffer a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Millwall.
5:15pm Saturday 13th April 2013
Watford’s automatic promotion hopes have suffered a major setback after they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Peterborough United this afternoon.
7:26pm Saturday 6th April 2013
A point against the leaders is always a useful result but Watford have their lost a little ground in the pursuit of automatic promotion after being held to a 0-0 draw by Cardiff City.
9:55pm Tuesday 2nd April 2013
It wasn’t pretty but boy was it needed. Watford beat Hull City 1-0 tonight to move within a point of their promotion rivals in the Championship automatic places.
5:17pm Friday 29th March 2013
The sight of the Watford players leaving the pitch shaking their heads summed up the emotions of most inside Vicarage Road this afternoon as the Hornets let slip a great opportunity to move back to second in the Championship following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Burnley.
|Date||Home team||Score||Away team|
|7:45pmFri 17/08/12||Cardiff||1 - 0||Huddersfield|
|12:45pmSat 18/08/12||Leeds United||1 - 0||Wolves|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Barnsley||1 - 0||Middlesbrough|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Birmingham||1 - 1||Charlton|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Burnley||2 - 0||Bolton|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Crystal Palace||2 - 3||Watford|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Derby||2 - 2||Sheff Wed|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Hull||1 - 0||Brighton|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Ipswich||1 - 1||Blackburn|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Leicester||2 - 0||Peterborough|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Millwall||0 - 2||Blackpool|
|3:00pmSat 18/08/12||Nottm Forest||1 - 0||Bristol City|
|7:45pmTue 21/08/12||Blackpool||2 - 1||Leeds United|
|7:45pmTue 21/08/12||Bolton||2 - 0||Derby|
|7:45pmTue 21/08/12||Brighton||0 - 0||Cardiff| | http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/championship/biog/30279/ | 1,000 |
Most teams enjoyed a fairly quiet All-Star weekend, but the Boston Celtics managed to make news when center Kevin Garnett said he will not waive his no-trade clause with Thursday's trade deadline fast approaching. As a result, Garnett is fully expected to accompany the Celtics on Tuesday when they visit the Denver Nuggets, who entered the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak.Boston is 8-1 since losing point guard Rajon Rondo with a season-ending knee injury and stands a season-high four games above. 500. Despite its recent skid, Denver is fifth in the Western Conference standings and boasts an impressive 22-3 home record. The teams combined for one of the most memorable games of the season at TD Garden on Feb. 10, when Paul Pierce recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists in the Celtics' 118-114 triple overtime win. TV: 9 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston), Altitude (Denver), NBATVABOUT THE CELTICS (28-24): In addition to losing Rondo, the Celtics have also been hit with season-ending injuries to rookie Jared Sullinger and veteran Leandro Barbosa over the past three weeks. The team has responded by focusing on its defense in recent weeks, including the Celtics' 71-69 win over Chicago in the final game before the All-Star break. Boston forced 22 turnovers and held the Bulls to 36.5 percent shooting in the win. Forward Jeff Green has stepped up his play with Rondo out, and he's averaging 13.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the last nine games. Garnett should be rested after playing only six minutes in the All-Star game on Sunday.ABOUT THE NUGGETS (33-21): Denver, which has won three straight at home against the Celtics, appears content to stand pat at the trade deadline with one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. Forward Kenneth Faried was selected the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday after scoring a game-high 40 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Faried also competed Saturday in the dunk contest, where he scored a perfect score on his second dunk before falling to eventual winner Terrence Ross of Toronto. The second-year forward is averaging 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds while starting all 54 games. Point guard Ty Lawson, averaging 15.8 points and 7.1 assists, had 29 points and nine rebounds against Boston two weeks ago. BUZZER BEATERS1. Boston is beginning a five-game road trip and won't return to the TD Center until March 1 against Golden State.2. Andre Iguodala (neck) and Gallinari (sinus infection) each missed Denver's final game before the All-Star break, but both are expected to return against Boston.3. Denver is 241-81 (74.8 percent) at the Pepsi Center under coach George Karl.PREDICTION: Nuggets 94, Celtics 87. | http://www.wbaltv.com/news/sports/Preview-Celtics-at-Nuggets/-/9379464/18591936/-/83tyvmz/-/index.html | 624 |
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - San Diego State plays its home games at
Qualcomm Stadium and that is where the Aztecs will be on Dec. 20 when they take
on BYU in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Rocky Long's squad has been one of the more overlooked clubs in the country
this year despite going 9-3 - the school's finest regular season since 1977.
Furthermore, the Aztecs have won seven consecutive games, including wins at
Nevada and Boise State. San Diego State also is 6-1 at home this year and 16-5
going back to 2010.
It is true BYU has owned the Aztecs winning 14 of the last 16 meetings,
however, the Cougars have covered just two of the last three games played at
Qualcomm Stadium. More importantly, they are not playing anywhere near the
level they were at during the first half of the season. BYU has won just three
of its last six games and two of the victories came against two of the worst
teams in the country - Idaho and New Mexico State.
Even though the Cougars' defense is solid (especially against the run), the
offense, led by Riley Nelson, has been lackluster at best. The senior has
thrown 10 interceptions in his last six games.
San Diego State has momentum and home-field advantage, which will carry Rocky
Long's club to victory.
Take the Aztecs plus three points and under 49.
SIX MORE THRE-STAR SELECTIONS
The next play comes from the New Orleans Bowl where East Carolina takes on
The Pirates have won five of their last six games mostly due to an offense that
scored 252 points over that span compared to just 123 over the first six games.
On the flip side, they have allowed four touchdowns or more in four of their
last five contests.
The key question in this one is can the Ragin' Cajuns match East Carolina
point-for-point? They have topped 30 in four of their last five. But as is the
case with the Pirates, they also are prone to defensive lapses. Opponents have
averaged 30 points per game against them since the middle of October.
Louisiana has home-state advantage, but Lafayette is still over two hours away
from New Orleans. Moreover, East Carolina just played at the Superdome in its
Take the Pirates plus six points and over 64.
Duke squares off with Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. The Blue Devils are making
their first bowl appearance since losing to Wisconsin in the 1994 Hall of Fame
It's been over 50 years since they won a postseason affair. To do so, they will
need to snap a four-game losing streak, one that saw them give up over 200
points. Nonetheless, two of those games were against Florida State and Clemson.
Despite Cincinnati's 9-3 record, the Bearcats' pass defense is nothing to write
home about so look for Duke quarterback Sean Renfree to have a huge game.
Additionally, the Bearcats lost their head coach, Butch Jones, to Tennessee.
Even though they picked up Tommy Tuberville from Texas Tech, he will not coach
the team in this game. A high-scoring affair is expected with the underdog
having a great chance to pull off the upset.
Take the Blue Devils plus seven points and over 59.5.
The final play has Minnesota and Texas Tech hooking up in the Meineke Car Care
Take away all the games the Red Raiders played against top 25 teams and they
are averaging 43.5 ppg. They also have allowed 50 points or more in four of
their last six contests.
Minnesota isn't known as an offensive powerhouse but the Golden Gophers should
be able to rack up at least four touchdowns against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders
have not allowed fewer than 28 points in their last five bowl games.
Take over 57 points.
Go with Minnesota +13 (Texas Tech) and Rice +1 (Air Force).
Take Virginia Tech -2.5 (Rutgers).
AFTER 14 WEEKS
My overall regular season record ended at 93-85-5 after a 2-2 week. The five-
star plays went 10-8-2, the three-star selections were 21-24-1, the two-star
picks stood at 34-32-1 and the one-star plays ended at 28-21-1.
As a reminder, five-star plays are when my personal plays coincide with my
power rating plays (games with at least a five-point differential between my
line and the actual line). The three-star choices are my personal picks, the
two-star plays are the games the power rating system picks and the one-star
plays are my personal secondary selections.
THIS WEEK'S JEFF FRANK "DIRTY DOZEN"
1) Oregon, 109; 2) Alabama, 108; 3) Georgia, 104.5; 4) Texas A&M, 104; 5)
Florida State, 99.5; 6-T) Notre Dame, Kansas State and South Carolina, 99; 9)
Stanford, 98.5; 10-T) Clemson and Oklahoma, 98; 12) Oklahoma State, 97.5
(The Top 12 is not a reflection of a given team's won-loss record. It is
based on power ratings used to predict spreads for the upcoming week. At the
beginning of the season, all 124 FBS teams are assigned a power number, which
changes on a week-to-week basis depending on the results of the previous
The Sports Network | http://www.wbir.com/sports/college/football/article/245305/161/Nothing-Like-Home-Cooking-for-the-Holidays | 1,192 |
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Danilo Gallinari poured in 12 of his 27 points
in the fourth quarter to help the Denver Nuggets pull away and take a 118-110
decision over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.
Gallinari made three of his four triples in the final frame, where Denver
outscored Houston by 11 points to capture its fifth straight victory and 12th
in the month of January. He also tied a career-high with four blocks.
Kenneth Faried added 19 points and nine boards, Ty Lawson scored 16 and Andre
Iguodala totaled 15 points with six assists in the Nuggets' sixth consecutive
win over Houston.
The Rockets came in winners of three in a row, but returned to their sluggish
defensive ways in allowing the Nuggets to shoot 51.2 percent from the field.
Jeremy Lin led the Rockets with 22 points, while Chandler Parsons and James
Harden each followed with 21. Omer Asik amassed 10 points and 18 rebounds in
The Sports Network | http://www.wbir.com/sports/pro_basketball/nba/article/251987/157/Gallinaris-strong-fourth-quarter-pushes-Denver-past-Houston | 218 |
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