Captain Lou Albano, the crazed and charismatic wrestling icon who played Cyndi Lauper's dad in her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" video, has died. He was 76.
Albano - known for his wild goatee, usually tamed by a rubber band, and his half-open Hawaiian shirts - was a wrestling world fixture for more than a half-century.
He was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1996, paying tribute to Albano's management of 15 WWE tag team champions and WWE title holder Ivan Koloff.
The colorful and kooky Albano was dubbed "The Guiding Light" for his "management" work.
"One of the company's most popular and charismatic legends," the WWE said in a statement. "He will be greatly missed."
But Albano's success transcended the ring and catapulted the Captain into pop culture.
The band NRBQ paid homage with their song "Captain Lou," and he appeared in a number of "Miami Vice" episodes along with several films.
His biggest moment came when he teamed with Lauper for a string of videos in 1985, playing her father. The "Rock N Wrestling Connection" helped boost both Lauper's record sales and the WWE's ratings.
Albano also played Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, a hybrid live-action/animated show.
No one was faster to sing the captain's praises than Albano himself.
"Often imitated, never duplicated," was his repeated self-assessment.
He was once a wrestler himself, launching his career in Canada in 1953.
He moved to the WWWF - a WWE precursor - in the early '60s, and won a tag-team title in 1967 by defeating a two-man pairing that included Bruno Sammartino.
Albano found his true calling in the corner, managing other wrestlers with antics that rivaled anything going on in the ring.
Albano's 75th birthday party last year at a Yonkers restaurant turned into a drunken battle royal, with the arrest of one wrestler.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
Scott Junk on TUF
First off let's all give it up for Kimbo! He didn't get submitted and it was a weak TKO per Dana White and crew.
Leading up to the fight, Kimbo (Slice) had a crash course on takedown defense and getting up off his back. Take it, he only had eight days to prepare for Roy Nelson, the IFL Heavyweight Champion. Every day Kimbo showed up on time, ready to go, ready to learn, but your mind can't retain all defenses and escapes that he was being shown to do. It takes years to learn simple things, like keeping your hands up.
He fought smart, he didn't rush in! He looked for his shots and took them when he saw the openings.
I worked with Kimbo — a lot! — leading up to his fight and when we first started I was taking him down at will. By the third day, he had already grasped the defense techniques how not to get taken down and he showed that during his fight.
Rampage (coach Rampage Jackson) kept saying Kimbo is like a sponge, but like a sponge you can only soak up so much before it pours out the sides.
***
[10/16] Scott Junk on Wes Sims.
They hardly showed any of Wes Sims' hard work. He worked hard almost every day, and the days he couldn't train were due to injury. Before the fight started I told Wes use your length, don't play in the clinch with Justin Wren. Reason being Justin is a world class Greco-Roman wrestler. The clinch game for Justin is his bread and butter.
But when you're in the fight, sometimes you just do things. Justin put a body lock on Wes and just crushed him to the mat. From there Justin just schooled him. Passed his guard, mounted him, then put him to sleep with a head and arm.
Wes just underestimated Justin and paid the price. I felt bad for Wes, but at the same time I was very happy for Justin. He is an awesome person and worked hard for his victory.
[10/30] Scott Junk on his fight with Matt Mitrione
[11/6] Team Rampage gets one win
Leading up to the fight, Kimbo (Slice) had a crash course on takedown defense and getting up off his back. Take it, he only had eight days to prepare for Roy Nelson, the IFL Heavyweight Champion. Every day Kimbo showed up on time, ready to go, ready to learn, but your mind can't retain all defenses and escapes that he was being shown to do. It takes years to learn simple things, like keeping your hands up.
He fought smart, he didn't rush in! He looked for his shots and took them when he saw the openings.
I worked with Kimbo — a lot! — leading up to his fight and when we first started I was taking him down at will. By the third day, he had already grasped the defense techniques how not to get taken down and he showed that during his fight.
Rampage (coach Rampage Jackson) kept saying Kimbo is like a sponge, but like a sponge you can only soak up so much before it pours out the sides.
***
[10/16] Scott Junk on Wes Sims.
They hardly showed any of Wes Sims' hard work. He worked hard almost every day, and the days he couldn't train were due to injury. Before the fight started I told Wes use your length, don't play in the clinch with Justin Wren. Reason being Justin is a world class Greco-Roman wrestler. The clinch game for Justin is his bread and butter.
But when you're in the fight, sometimes you just do things. Justin put a body lock on Wes and just crushed him to the mat. From there Justin just schooled him. Passed his guard, mounted him, then put him to sleep with a head and arm.
Wes just underestimated Justin and paid the price. I felt bad for Wes, but at the same time I was very happy for Justin. He is an awesome person and worked hard for his victory.
[10/30] Scott Junk on his fight with Matt Mitrione
[11/6] Team Rampage gets one win
Friday, September 04, 2009
Hawaii D1 football players
Hawaii's influence on Division I football is more than it's ever been.
A total of 101 players who graduated from local high schools dot the rosters of major D-I teams on the mainland.
Throw in the 55 playing for Hawaii this season and you're looking at more than 150 gearing up for the beginning of the 2009 college football season.
A total of 101 players who graduated from local high schools dot the rosters of major D-I teams on the mainland.
Throw in the 55 playing for Hawaii this season and you're looking at more than 150 gearing up for the beginning of the 2009 college football season.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
University of Hawaii Football: a timeline
An Advertiser Special
Fighting Deans to ’Bows to Warriors
1909: 'Hot scrap' against McKinley started it
1921-39: Klum guided Hawaii in wonder years
1935: Tommy Kaulukukui was UH's first football All-American
1954: Hawaii exemption a boon to program
1955: 6-0 win at Nebraska Rainbows' biggest upset
1961: Program goes dark
1960s: Burns' initiative takes off
1973: Washington upset proved UH for real
1974: Kaloi got the job, which worked out for Jones after all
1975: Stadium a symbol of UH's D-I ambitions
1977: Tomey arrived at critical time, gave UH program needed stability
1979: Sapolu a recruiting coup for fledgling D-1 program
1984: So close but BYU breaks hearts once again
1987: Johnson brought more offense; success followed
1988-92: From the start, UH knew Elam was a gem
1990: Gabriel helped UH end era of BYU dominance
1992: Hawaii wins WAC and has happy Holiday
1998: Along came Jones, UH's revival
1998: Dark days over
2005-07: Brennan lifts Hawaii to BCS heights
2008: Jones' sudden departure — 'It was time to go'
With each new coach came a new offense
UH walk-on program: ‘Fabric of who we are’
2008 Results
2008 WAC Standings
2009 Schedule
Fighting Deans to ’Bows to Warriors
1909: 'Hot scrap' against McKinley started it
1921-39: Klum guided Hawaii in wonder years
1935: Tommy Kaulukukui was UH's first football All-American
1954: Hawaii exemption a boon to program
1955: 6-0 win at Nebraska Rainbows' biggest upset
1961: Program goes dark
1960s: Burns' initiative takes off
1973: Washington upset proved UH for real
1974: Kaloi got the job, which worked out for Jones after all
1975: Stadium a symbol of UH's D-I ambitions
1977: Tomey arrived at critical time, gave UH program needed stability
1979: Sapolu a recruiting coup for fledgling D-1 program
1984: So close but BYU breaks hearts once again
1987: Johnson brought more offense; success followed
1988-92: From the start, UH knew Elam was a gem
1990: Gabriel helped UH end era of BYU dominance
1992: Hawaii wins WAC and has happy Holiday
1998: Along came Jones, UH's revival
1998: Dark days over
2005-07: Brennan lifts Hawaii to BCS heights
2008: Jones' sudden departure — 'It was time to go'
With each new coach came a new offense
UH walk-on program: ‘Fabric of who we are’
2008 Results
2008 WAC Standings
2009 Schedule
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wie unbeaten as Americans retain Solheim Cup
Honolulu's Michelle Wie held off Europe's Helen Alfredsson, 1 up, in singles today to finish undefeated and help the United States retain the Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Wie went 3-0-1 in her first Solheim Cup after being a captain's pick to the United States team.
Morgan Pressel delivered the winning point with her 3-and-2 victory over Anna Nordqvist today, giving the United States 14 points and one of the most coveted titles in women's golf.This is the third straight time the Americans have won the Solheim Cup, and eighth overall. Europe has never won it on U.S. soil.
Wie, playing in the third of 12 singles matches today, went out to a 3 up lead after seven holes. Alfredsson, however, rallied to win Nos. 8, 9 an 11 to square the match. Wie and Alfredsson halved the next three holes before Wie won Nos. 15 and 16 to go dormie-2 (2 up with two holes left).
Alfredsson sent the match to the final hole when she won the 17th with a par to cut Wie's lead to 1 up. Wie missed her 25-foot par for par. The golfers halved the 18th hole with pars to give Wie the victory.
Wie teamed with Morgan Pressel to halve her first match with Europe's Catriona Matthew and Maria Hjorth in four-ball on the opening day of the Cup. On Day 2, she won two matches, a four-ball with Christina Kim (5 and 4) over Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui and foursome with Cristie Kerr (1 up) over Anna Nordqvist and Hjorth.
Wie went 3-0-1 in her first Solheim Cup after being a captain's pick to the United States team.
Morgan Pressel delivered the winning point with her 3-and-2 victory over Anna Nordqvist today, giving the United States 14 points and one of the most coveted titles in women's golf.This is the third straight time the Americans have won the Solheim Cup, and eighth overall. Europe has never won it on U.S. soil.
Wie, playing in the third of 12 singles matches today, went out to a 3 up lead after seven holes. Alfredsson, however, rallied to win Nos. 8, 9 an 11 to square the match. Wie and Alfredsson halved the next three holes before Wie won Nos. 15 and 16 to go dormie-2 (2 up with two holes left).
Alfredsson sent the match to the final hole when she won the 17th with a par to cut Wie's lead to 1 up. Wie missed her 25-foot par for par. The golfers halved the 18th hole with pars to give Wie the victory.
Wie teamed with Morgan Pressel to halve her first match with Europe's Catriona Matthew and Maria Hjorth in four-ball on the opening day of the Cup. On Day 2, she won two matches, a four-ball with Christina Kim (5 and 4) over Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui and foursome with Cristie Kerr (1 up) over Anna Nordqvist and Hjorth.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mike Schmidt on Pete Rose
It's been 20 years since Pete Rose was banned for life from baseball by then-commissioner Bart Giamatti. Recently the subject came back to life, recycling the same old issues, without attention to some interesting elements that should be mentioned on the 20th anniversary.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wave Ryder
Front runner for “name of the year” honors goes to Wave Ryder, who actually was named after a popular song.
“My mom’s favorite song was Wave Rider by Butch Helemano. She thought it was cool,” says Wave.
(Yes, he says, his whole family loves surfing. Wave is into body boarding.)
Currently, the Kamehameha defensive back is getting recruited by Hawaii, Utah, Utah State and Colorado, and was recently written up on SI.com, the Sports Illustrated Web site.
Fetters says he’s not sure whether having a unique name makes a difference in recruiting circles: “Attention, yes, but not necessarily a big effect on the recruiting process,” he says.
But Wave disagrees. “Everybody remembers the name,” he says. “I wouldn’t change my name for anything.”
“My mom’s favorite song was Wave Rider by Butch Helemano. She thought it was cool,” says Wave.
(Yes, he says, his whole family loves surfing. Wave is into body boarding.)
Currently, the Kamehameha defensive back is getting recruited by Hawaii, Utah, Utah State and Colorado, and was recently written up on SI.com, the Sports Illustrated Web site.
Fetters says he’s not sure whether having a unique name makes a difference in recruiting circles: “Attention, yes, but not necessarily a big effect on the recruiting process,” he says.
But Wave disagrees. “Everybody remembers the name,” he says. “I wouldn’t change my name for anything.”
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Favre unretires (again)
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Brett Favre's latest retirement lasted all of three weeks.
The three-time MVP has done an about-face for the second time in as many years and will play for the Vikings this season.
If the wait for Favre's decision seemed neverending, it was resolved Tuesday in a few short hours: the 39-year-old Favre jumped on a team plane in Mississippi and was picked up at the St. Paul airport by coach Brad Childress himself. The two drove to the team's practice facility, where Favre waved to hundreds of cheering fans.
No less than 90 minutes later, Favre was on the field in his familiar No. 4 jersey with purple shorts and a purple helmet, a vision that has had Packers fans cringing about for months. He shook hands with a few of his new teammates and quickly began throwing as fans peeked through the security fence to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
The three-time MVP has done an about-face for the second time in as many years and will play for the Vikings this season.
If the wait for Favre's decision seemed neverending, it was resolved Tuesday in a few short hours: the 39-year-old Favre jumped on a team plane in Mississippi and was picked up at the St. Paul airport by coach Brad Childress himself. The two drove to the team's practice facility, where Favre waved to hundreds of cheering fans.
No less than 90 minutes later, Favre was on the field in his familiar No. 4 jersey with purple shorts and a purple helmet, a vision that has had Packers fans cringing about for months. He shook hands with a few of his new teammates and quickly began throwing as fans peeked through the security fence to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
Vick signs with Eagles
(CNN) -- Michael Vick, recently reinstated to the NFL after being freed from federal prison after a dogfighting-related conviction, has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to his agent, Joel Segal.
The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback reports to Philadelphia on Friday, Segal told CNN.
Details of the deal were not immediately available Thursday night.
The league suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.
Vick, 29, was freed from federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20 and returned to his home to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement.
The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback reports to Philadelphia on Friday, Segal told CNN.
Details of the deal were not immediately available Thursday night.
The league suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.
Vick, 29, was freed from federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20 and returned to his home to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Yang breaks through
CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — For years, Asian countries could only boast about growth and potential in men's golf. Success was measured by a half-dozen players who had cracked the top 50 in the world rankings over the last decade.
It took Y.E. Yang and his stunning victory over Tiger Woods to make them a major part of the conversation.
"We've been waiting for quite a number of years for this," said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the hallowed Royal & Ancient Golf Club in Scotland. "Perhaps the PGA Championship was not the one we were expecting. But it's great for golf. It's great for Korea. It's great for Asia. And it's very timely for getting back into the Olympics.
"It's a fantastic day for golf."
Until the 2009 PGA Championship, players from every continent except Asia and Antarctica had captured a major championship over the last three years as "global golf" became a buzz term.
That changed Sunday at Hazeltine when Yang, a 37-year-old South Korean, delivered a shot felt across oceans. Leading by one shot against the world's No. 1 player on the 18th hole, he struck a 3-iron hybrid from 210 yards around a tree, barely over a bunker and onto the green about 12 feet from the cup.
It took Y.E. Yang and his stunning victory over Tiger Woods to make them a major part of the conversation.
"We've been waiting for quite a number of years for this," said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the hallowed Royal & Ancient Golf Club in Scotland. "Perhaps the PGA Championship was not the one we were expecting. But it's great for golf. It's great for Korea. It's great for Asia. And it's very timely for getting back into the Olympics.
"It's a fantastic day for golf."
Until the 2009 PGA Championship, players from every continent except Asia and Antarctica had captured a major championship over the last three years as "global golf" became a buzz term.
That changed Sunday at Hazeltine when Yang, a 37-year-old South Korean, delivered a shot felt across oceans. Leading by one shot against the world's No. 1 player on the 18th hole, he struck a 3-iron hybrid from 210 yards around a tree, barely over a bunker and onto the green about 12 feet from the cup.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bolt shatters his 100m world record
BERLIN — Usain Bolt saved the celebration for after the finish line this time and showed that, yes, he can keep breaking that world record.
He obliterated it, in fact.
Bolt ran 100 meters in 9.58 seconds Sunday at world championships, turning his showdown against Tyson Gay into a rout and putting to rest the questions that went unanswered last time he set the record — at his showboating Olympic run of 9.69 seconds.
Yes, he can do better when he goes all out the whole way. Yes, he can break 9.6.
It was the biggest change in the record since electronic time was introduced in 1968. It came very close to the 9.55-second time that an American professor said Bolt would have run in Beijing had he run all out in the Olympic 100 finals.
Under ideal conditions and facing the toughest competition possible, Bolt blew away his own world record by .11 seconds on the one-year anniversary of the last world record. Gay, meanwhile, set the American record by finishing in 9.71, a time that would have been a world record 12 months and one day ago, but was an afterthought instead.
Asafa Powell of Jamaica took bronze in 9.84.
* * *
[8/20/09] Usain Bolt startled the world again.
The Jamaican sprinting great captured the 200-meter gold medal in 19.19 seconds today with yet another world record.
Gitting his teeth and pointing to the clock as soon as the time flashed, Bolt is now 5 for 5 in major sprint events. He has won a gold medal each time with a world mark.
His time in the 200 at these world championships slashed 0.11 seconds off the record he set last year, four days after breaking his 100 mark by the same margin.
He obliterated it, in fact.
Bolt ran 100 meters in 9.58 seconds Sunday at world championships, turning his showdown against Tyson Gay into a rout and putting to rest the questions that went unanswered last time he set the record — at his showboating Olympic run of 9.69 seconds.
Yes, he can do better when he goes all out the whole way. Yes, he can break 9.6.
It was the biggest change in the record since electronic time was introduced in 1968. It came very close to the 9.55-second time that an American professor said Bolt would have run in Beijing had he run all out in the Olympic 100 finals.
Under ideal conditions and facing the toughest competition possible, Bolt blew away his own world record by .11 seconds on the one-year anniversary of the last world record. Gay, meanwhile, set the American record by finishing in 9.71, a time that would have been a world record 12 months and one day ago, but was an afterthought instead.
Asafa Powell of Jamaica took bronze in 9.84.
* * *
[8/20/09] Usain Bolt startled the world again.
The Jamaican sprinting great captured the 200-meter gold medal in 19.19 seconds today with yet another world record.
Gitting his teeth and pointing to the clock as soon as the time flashed, Bolt is now 5 for 5 in major sprint events. He has won a gold medal each time with a world mark.
His time in the 200 at these world championships slashed 0.11 seconds off the record he set last year, four days after breaking his 100 mark by the same margin.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fifty of Hawaii's Greatest
To celebrate 50 years of statehood, The Advertiser sports staff voted — not without disagreement — and selected our top 50 sportspersons/teams/people who helped change or shape the landscape in Hawai'i sports since 1959.
A person did not have to have been born here, just accomplish something extraordinary for Hawai'i sports, be an incredible athlete, or made an impact simply by just making Hawai'i proud.
Our Fab 50 will go in chronological order starting with sportspersons from 1959-1969 decade. We will present a story a day for 50 days, starting July 3 and ending Aug. 21.
7/3/09 - Mackay Yanagisawa
7/4/09 - Hawaii Islanders
7/5/09 - Governor John A. Burns
7/6/09 - Jesse Kuhaulua
7/7/09 - Charlie Wedemeyer
7/8/09 - Ted Makalena
7/9/09 - Fabulous Five
7/10/09 - Russ Francis
7/11/09 - Les Murakami
7/12/09 - Patsy Mink
7/13/09 - Donnis Thompson
7/14/09 - Dave Shoji
7/15/09 - Dick Tomey
7/16/09 - Derek Tatsuno
7/17/09 - Eddie Aikau
7/18/09 - Chuck, Jim, Kanoa Leahey
7/19/09 - Jesse Sapolu
7/20/09 - 1980 Rainbow Baseball
7/21/09 - Merv Lopes
7/22/09 - Deitre Collins
7/23/09 - Sid Fernandez
7/24/09 - Saleva'a Atisanoe (Konishiki)
7/25/09 - Cal Lee
7/26/09 - the Noga brothers
7/27/09 - Stan Sheriff
7/28/09 - Jesus Salud
7/29/09 - Teee Williams
7/30/09 - Riley Wallace
7/31/09 - Tony Sellitto
8/1/09 - Anthony Carter
8/2/09 - Akebono
8/3/09 - David Ishii
8/4/09 - 1992 Rainbow football
8/5/09 - Robyn Ah Mow-Santos
8/6/09 - Yuval Katz
8/7/09 - Jason Elam
8/8/09 - BJ Penn
8/9/09 - Keith Amemiya
8/10/09 - June Jones
8/11/09 - Timmy Chang
8/12/09 - The McLachlin Family
8/13/09 - Brian Viloria
8/14/09 - Derrick Low
8/15/09 - Andy Irons
8/16/09 - Natasha Kai
8/17/09 - West O'ahu and Waipi'o Little League Baseball
8/18/09 - Michelle Wie
8/19/09 - 2007 Warrior Football
8/20/09 - Brian Clay
8/21/09 - Colt Brennan
A person did not have to have been born here, just accomplish something extraordinary for Hawai'i sports, be an incredible athlete, or made an impact simply by just making Hawai'i proud.
Our Fab 50 will go in chronological order starting with sportspersons from 1959-1969 decade. We will present a story a day for 50 days, starting July 3 and ending Aug. 21.
7/3/09 - Mackay Yanagisawa
7/4/09 - Hawaii Islanders
7/5/09 - Governor John A. Burns
7/6/09 - Jesse Kuhaulua
7/7/09 - Charlie Wedemeyer
7/8/09 - Ted Makalena
7/9/09 - Fabulous Five
7/10/09 - Russ Francis
7/11/09 - Les Murakami
7/12/09 - Patsy Mink
7/13/09 - Donnis Thompson
7/14/09 - Dave Shoji
7/15/09 - Dick Tomey
7/16/09 - Derek Tatsuno
7/17/09 - Eddie Aikau
7/18/09 - Chuck, Jim, Kanoa Leahey
7/19/09 - Jesse Sapolu
7/20/09 - 1980 Rainbow Baseball
7/21/09 - Merv Lopes
7/22/09 - Deitre Collins
7/23/09 - Sid Fernandez
7/24/09 - Saleva'a Atisanoe (Konishiki)
7/25/09 - Cal Lee
7/26/09 - the Noga brothers
7/27/09 - Stan Sheriff
7/28/09 - Jesus Salud
7/29/09 - Teee Williams
7/30/09 - Riley Wallace
7/31/09 - Tony Sellitto
8/1/09 - Anthony Carter
8/2/09 - Akebono
8/3/09 - David Ishii
8/4/09 - 1992 Rainbow football
8/5/09 - Robyn Ah Mow-Santos
8/6/09 - Yuval Katz
8/7/09 - Jason Elam
8/8/09 - BJ Penn
8/9/09 - Keith Amemiya
8/10/09 - June Jones
8/11/09 - Timmy Chang
8/12/09 - The McLachlin Family
8/13/09 - Brian Viloria
8/14/09 - Derrick Low
8/15/09 - Andy Irons
8/16/09 - Natasha Kai
8/17/09 - West O'ahu and Waipi'o Little League Baseball
8/18/09 - Michelle Wie
8/19/09 - 2007 Warrior Football
8/20/09 - Brian Clay
8/21/09 - Colt Brennan
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Favre stays retired
Brett Favre has handed the Minnesota Vikings one more loss. The 39-year-old Favre called Vikings coach Brad Childress on Tuesday to tell the coach he won't be coming out of retirement to play for Minnesota.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever made," Favre told ESPN. "I didn't feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans."
The decision, which was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, is a stunning blow for the Vikings after they openly courted Favre all summer. Adding Favre would have been viewed by many as the final piece for a team that already has star running back Adrian Peterson and a stingy veteran defense that returns nearly intact from last year's NFC North title season.
"It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division," Childress said in a prepared statement. "That does not detract from the team that we have."
Last year, Favre tearfully retired from the Green Bay Packers after 17 seasons in the NFL and three MVP awards — then made an about-face and played for the New York Jets. He retired again, had surgery in May to alleviate a torn biceps tendon and then flirted with the idea of coming back again with the Vikings, the Packers' NFC North rival.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever made," Favre told ESPN. "I didn't feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans."
The decision, which was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, is a stunning blow for the Vikings after they openly courted Favre all summer. Adding Favre would have been viewed by many as the final piece for a team that already has star running back Adrian Peterson and a stingy veteran defense that returns nearly intact from last year's NFC North title season.
"It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division," Childress said in a prepared statement. "That does not detract from the team that we have."
Last year, Favre tearfully retired from the Green Bay Packers after 17 seasons in the NFL and three MVP awards — then made an about-face and played for the New York Jets. He retired again, had surgery in May to alleviate a torn biceps tendon and then flirted with the idea of coming back again with the Vikings, the Packers' NFC North rival.
$97 million for Eli Manning
Eli Manning agreed to a six-year, $97 million contract extension, an average salary of roughly $15.3 million, according to a person close to the talks. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not signed and had not been announced, said Manning is guaranteed $35 million under the deal that will keep him with the Giants through the 2015 season.
The easygoing New Orleans native, who took over as the Giants starter midway through his rookie season in 2004, has proved a worthy No. 1 overall draft pick. In his first four NFL seasons, Manning has won a Super Bowl and was MVP of the game, helped his team to the playoffs all four years and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.
Now he's set to make more money than even older brother Peyton.
The extension will pay Eli Manning $200,000 per year more than All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders, who agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract this year.
Peyton Manning earns an average of $14.17 million annually with the Indianapolis Colts.
Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers has Eli Manning beat this season, when he'll make $16.7 million — but it's only a one-year deal.
The easygoing New Orleans native, who took over as the Giants starter midway through his rookie season in 2004, has proved a worthy No. 1 overall draft pick. In his first four NFL seasons, Manning has won a Super Bowl and was MVP of the game, helped his team to the playoffs all four years and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.
Now he's set to make more money than even older brother Peyton.
The extension will pay Eli Manning $200,000 per year more than All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders, who agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract this year.
Peyton Manning earns an average of $14.17 million annually with the Indianapolis Colts.
Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers has Eli Manning beat this season, when he'll make $16.7 million — but it's only a one-year deal.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Arena Football League shuts down
The Arena Football League has shut down, this time indefinitely.
The league, which previously called off play for the 2009 season but had said it planned to return in 2010, sent a terse, one-paragraph statement to its teams late Tuesday announcing it had suspended operations.
The statement said the AFL's board had been "unable to reach any consensus on restructuring the league over the past eight months."
The 22-year-old indoor league had lost its commissioner and two teams since the end of last season. It reached a new agreement with its players this year, but that wasn't sufficient to persuade enough AFL owners that the league could return to profitability.
The AFL's board said "there are no other viable options available to the league right now."
The league is likely to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Some AFL owners remain optimistic that the league can return in some form in 2010, perhaps in conjunction with the af2 league, an AFL offshoot that remains in business.
The league, which previously called off play for the 2009 season but had said it planned to return in 2010, sent a terse, one-paragraph statement to its teams late Tuesday announcing it had suspended operations.
The statement said the AFL's board had been "unable to reach any consensus on restructuring the league over the past eight months."
The 22-year-old indoor league had lost its commissioner and two teams since the end of last season. It reached a new agreement with its players this year, but that wasn't sufficient to persuade enough AFL owners that the league could return to profitability.
The AFL's board said "there are no other viable options available to the league right now."
The league is likely to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Some AFL owners remain optimistic that the league can return in some form in 2010, perhaps in conjunction with the af2 league, an AFL offshoot that remains in business.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Wise saves Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle bought watches for his teammates two years ago after throwing his first no-hitter.
He might want to purchase a special gift for Dewayne Wise after Wise made the most dramatic catch of his career in the ninth inning Thursday to preserve Buehrle's perfect game in the 5-0 victory over the Rays.
"This one will probably be a lot more expensive," Buehrle said after Wise robbed Gabe Kapler of a home run that would have ruined Buehrle's signature moment.
He might want to purchase a special gift for Dewayne Wise after Wise made the most dramatic catch of his career in the ninth inning Thursday to preserve Buehrle's perfect game in the 5-0 victory over the Rays.
"This one will probably be a lot more expensive," Buehrle said after Wise robbed Gabe Kapler of a home run that would have ruined Buehrle's signature moment.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
1984: a heck of a year
When MidWeek first appeared July 18, 1984, your humble servant of bombastic prose was not even a glint in an editor’s eye. Which is good because such imagery is rather disturbing.
The 84th year of the century found yours truly slinging frozen, hormone-laden beef patties for laughable wages while attempting to escape the grasp of hair metal through an individual campaign of standard depravity and trying to determine the backfire needed to lift a 454 off an engine stand after altering the timing. Playing chicken with spark plug wires was also a favorite pastime, as was testing the breaking point of a ‘72 Chevy pickup.
The 16th year before the new millennium was also memorable for things that didn’t teeter on the illegal or blow past standards of immoral behavior. It was also a heck of a year in sports.
The 84th year of the century found yours truly slinging frozen, hormone-laden beef patties for laughable wages while attempting to escape the grasp of hair metal through an individual campaign of standard depravity and trying to determine the backfire needed to lift a 454 off an engine stand after altering the timing. Playing chicken with spark plug wires was also a favorite pastime, as was testing the breaking point of a ‘72 Chevy pickup.
The 16th year before the new millennium was also memorable for things that didn’t teeter on the illegal or blow past standards of immoral behavior. It was also a heck of a year in sports.
Friday, July 31, 2009
McMackin and his f word
Greg McMackin embarked on his trip back to Hawaii yesterday trailed by a most unwelcome spotlight.
In the hours after the Hawaii football coach used a gay slur during a press conference at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview, news of his remarks and subsequent apologies spread swiftly across the country and drew strong reactions back home.
Speaking to print reporters from around the conference, McMackin used the slur to describe a cheer the Notre Dame football team performed at last year's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl banquet.
During his press conference, McMackin discussed this year's team and was asked about the end of last season and the loss to Notre Dame. McMackin was speaking about how dueling chants at the Hawaii Bowl banquet may have inspired the Fighting Irish for the game when he described the Notre Dame cheer as "this little f----- dance."
A moment later, he repeated the term when asking the reporters in the room to "cover" for him, and continued with his comments on this year's team.
After finishing his remarks, McMackin returned to the interview room to apologize. He later made a more formal statement before heading to the airport for his return flight to Honolulu.
"I would sincerely like to apologize for the inappropriate verbiage and words that I used," McMackin said in his second apology. "I have nothing against the University of Notre Dame. I don't talk like that, I'm really ticked off at myself for saying that. I don't have any prejudices and it really makes me mad that I even said that. I'm disappointed in myself.
"What I was trying to do was be funny and it wasn't funny."
McMackin was in transit as school officials issued statements on the matter and what action the university might take upon his return hadn't been determined as of yesterday. McMackin is expected to meet with UH athletic director Jim Donovan first thing this morning.
Donovan declined to comment on possible disciplinary action yesterday, citing it as a personnel matter.
"Coach McMackin is a good man and cares for the University of Hawaii and the football program. He made a statement he shouldn't have made," Donovan said.
Gov. Linda Lingle said the remark was inappropriate and that the second-year coach realizes that.
"I think anybody who's in public life that talks a lot in public faces this problem," Lingle said. "I've certainly said things I wish I could take back and I know the Coach is feeling that way right now.
"Nobody's going be harder on him than he's going be on himself in this situation. I read his remarks in the paper. I know he's just kicking himself right now about it. I believe him when he says this is not who he is as a person and his players have backed that up."
* * *
[8/1/09] Choked with emotion, a tearful University of Hawai'i football coach Greg McMackin accepted a 30-day suspension without pay and a 7 percent cut in his salary, and vowed to "show leadership in dealing with both the football program and rebuilding respect for all people in our community" after using an anti-gay slur in making a disparaging remark about the Notre Dame team.
With more than 30 of his players crowding into yesterday's press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center to show support, UH announced that McMackin will coach the Warriors on a "volunteer" basis during his suspension and will also participate in activities with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services on the Manoa campus.
He also will participate in a public service announcement on how words can hurt, and part of the money from his salary reduction will be used to support a student intern for the LGBT community to assist in campus awareness training.
UH still awaits word of what action the Western Athletic Conference might take under its sportsmanship policies.
"I felt this needed a strong reaction, a conclusive one and a swift one," said Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw.
McMackin is expected to forfeit approximately $169,000 from his $1.1 million annual salary for offensive remarks he made Thursday at the WAC Football Media Review in Salt Lake City that drew national attention.
Athletic director Jim Donovan said McMackin "felt strongly that regardless of what the penalty was he wanted to continue to coach and, in no way whatsoever did he want his players or the team to be (penalized). That indicates what kind of a guy he is."
Hinshaw said, "We didn't want to punish the wrong group in this situation. He felt strongly — and we did, too — that it would hurt the players, the team and the university. We thought that was a good resolution."
McMackin, who entered the press conference battling his emotions, stared solemnly as Donovan laid out the disciplinary action. Then McMackin attempted to hold back tears as he read a brief statement.
"I just made a big mistake," McMackin said. "I apologize to everyone and anyone I offended. I'm committed to do whatever I can as a life lesson to learn from my mistake.
"When we make mistakes, we have to learn from it and make better people of ourselves. ... (I'm) sorry I said something so hurtful and I am so remorseful."
McMackin added that "I offended the gay and lesbian community and now I want to work with the LGBT community on campus to use this as a teachable moment for me and hopefully others."
At that point, McMackin broke down and struggled to finish.
"(I am) very pained and disappointed in myself," he continued. "I hope to make up for some of the pain ... I made a mistake and now I have to show the leadership in dealing with both the football program and building respect for all people in our community."
In the hours after the Hawaii football coach used a gay slur during a press conference at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview, news of his remarks and subsequent apologies spread swiftly across the country and drew strong reactions back home.
Speaking to print reporters from around the conference, McMackin used the slur to describe a cheer the Notre Dame football team performed at last year's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl banquet.
During his press conference, McMackin discussed this year's team and was asked about the end of last season and the loss to Notre Dame. McMackin was speaking about how dueling chants at the Hawaii Bowl banquet may have inspired the Fighting Irish for the game when he described the Notre Dame cheer as "this little f----- dance."
A moment later, he repeated the term when asking the reporters in the room to "cover" for him, and continued with his comments on this year's team.
After finishing his remarks, McMackin returned to the interview room to apologize. He later made a more formal statement before heading to the airport for his return flight to Honolulu.
"I would sincerely like to apologize for the inappropriate verbiage and words that I used," McMackin said in his second apology. "I have nothing against the University of Notre Dame. I don't talk like that, I'm really ticked off at myself for saying that. I don't have any prejudices and it really makes me mad that I even said that. I'm disappointed in myself.
"What I was trying to do was be funny and it wasn't funny."
McMackin was in transit as school officials issued statements on the matter and what action the university might take upon his return hadn't been determined as of yesterday. McMackin is expected to meet with UH athletic director Jim Donovan first thing this morning.
Donovan declined to comment on possible disciplinary action yesterday, citing it as a personnel matter.
"Coach McMackin is a good man and cares for the University of Hawaii and the football program. He made a statement he shouldn't have made," Donovan said.
Gov. Linda Lingle said the remark was inappropriate and that the second-year coach realizes that.
"I think anybody who's in public life that talks a lot in public faces this problem," Lingle said. "I've certainly said things I wish I could take back and I know the Coach is feeling that way right now.
"Nobody's going be harder on him than he's going be on himself in this situation. I read his remarks in the paper. I know he's just kicking himself right now about it. I believe him when he says this is not who he is as a person and his players have backed that up."
* * *
[8/1/09] Choked with emotion, a tearful University of Hawai'i football coach Greg McMackin accepted a 30-day suspension without pay and a 7 percent cut in his salary, and vowed to "show leadership in dealing with both the football program and rebuilding respect for all people in our community" after using an anti-gay slur in making a disparaging remark about the Notre Dame team.
With more than 30 of his players crowding into yesterday's press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center to show support, UH announced that McMackin will coach the Warriors on a "volunteer" basis during his suspension and will also participate in activities with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services on the Manoa campus.
He also will participate in a public service announcement on how words can hurt, and part of the money from his salary reduction will be used to support a student intern for the LGBT community to assist in campus awareness training.
UH still awaits word of what action the Western Athletic Conference might take under its sportsmanship policies.
"I felt this needed a strong reaction, a conclusive one and a swift one," said Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw.
McMackin is expected to forfeit approximately $169,000 from his $1.1 million annual salary for offensive remarks he made Thursday at the WAC Football Media Review in Salt Lake City that drew national attention.
Athletic director Jim Donovan said McMackin "felt strongly that regardless of what the penalty was he wanted to continue to coach and, in no way whatsoever did he want his players or the team to be (penalized). That indicates what kind of a guy he is."
Hinshaw said, "We didn't want to punish the wrong group in this situation. He felt strongly — and we did, too — that it would hurt the players, the team and the university. We thought that was a good resolution."
McMackin, who entered the press conference battling his emotions, stared solemnly as Donovan laid out the disciplinary action. Then McMackin attempted to hold back tears as he read a brief statement.
"I just made a big mistake," McMackin said. "I apologize to everyone and anyone I offended. I'm committed to do whatever I can as a life lesson to learn from my mistake.
"When we make mistakes, we have to learn from it and make better people of ourselves. ... (I'm) sorry I said something so hurtful and I am so remorseful."
McMackin added that "I offended the gay and lesbian community and now I want to work with the LGBT community on campus to use this as a teachable moment for me and hopefully others."
At that point, McMackin broke down and struggled to finish.
"(I am) very pained and disappointed in myself," he continued. "I hope to make up for some of the pain ... I made a mistake and now I have to show the leadership in dealing with both the football program and building respect for all people in our community."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Phelps beaten by Bidermann
The winner draped himself triumphantly on the lane rope, thrusting his right hand in the air to celebrate a world record.
It's a familiar scene for Michael Phelps. This time, all he could do was watch.
Germany's Paul Biedermann handed Phelps his first major individual loss in four years — and snatched away his world record, too — with a stunning win in the 200-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships on Tuesday.
Virtually unknown outside his country before this meet, Biedermann has now erased Ian Thorpe from the record book with a win in the 400 free and knocked off the winningest Olympian in history — all in the space of three days.
Both triumphs are sure to stir even more debate about the high-tech bodysuits that are being banned by the sport's governing body beginning in 2010. Biedermann wore an Arena X-Glide, one of those polyurethane suits that is generally considered faster than the Speedo LZR Racer, the once-revolutionary suit Phelps wore.
* * *
[7/29] After loss, Phelps sets world record.
* * *
[7/31] Cavic takes world record ahead of Phelps showdown
* * *
[8/1] Phelps sets world mark in beating Cavic again in 100 butterfly
It's a familiar scene for Michael Phelps. This time, all he could do was watch.
Germany's Paul Biedermann handed Phelps his first major individual loss in four years — and snatched away his world record, too — with a stunning win in the 200-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships on Tuesday.
Virtually unknown outside his country before this meet, Biedermann has now erased Ian Thorpe from the record book with a win in the 400 free and knocked off the winningest Olympian in history — all in the space of three days.
Both triumphs are sure to stir even more debate about the high-tech bodysuits that are being banned by the sport's governing body beginning in 2010. Biedermann wore an Arena X-Glide, one of those polyurethane suits that is generally considered faster than the Speedo LZR Racer, the once-revolutionary suit Phelps wore.
* * *
[7/29] After loss, Phelps sets world record.
* * *
[7/31] Cavic takes world record ahead of Phelps showdown
* * *
[8/1] Phelps sets world mark in beating Cavic again in 100 butterfly
Monday, July 27, 2009
LPGA commissioner resigns
Under pressure by the women golf tour's top stars, Carolyn Bivens has resigned as LPGA commissioner. Her exit is a positive move at trying to reverse the tour's dwindling schedule of events and bring it back to Hawaii.
Bivens made the decision after 15 tour members, including Lorena Ochoa, Christie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Se Ri Pak, presented the demand to the LPGA's board of directors. Bivens was believed to be negotiating a buyout from her contract, which was due to expire next year.
The LPGA tour consisted of 35 events in 2005 but has only 10 title contracts for 2010, having lost seven, including all three tournaments in Hawaii, in the past year alone. The major reason has been the downward economy, but Bivens had been unwilling to negotiate with sponsors on purse sizes and the cost of tournaments, asking them to contribute more to the cost of maintaining tournaments and rejecting their wishes to reduce the purse, which has averaged $1.77 million.
Bivens, a former advertising executive, has stumbled since her first year as LPGA commissioner. She talked about hoping to "turn the buzz and the interest and the conversations into a commercial success," with a youth movement led by Creamer and Hawaii's Michelle Wie. Instead, she demanded at the 2006 Fields Open that media yield proprietary rights to their stories and photos to the LPGA, causing the Star-Bulletin and, most notably, the Associated Press to withdraw their reporters and photographers from the tournament.
Bivens caused more anger when she introduced a proposal that foreign-born players be proficient in English or face possible suspension. She dropped the proposal after severe criticism. Fewer than half of this past week's U.S. Women's Open players are Americans. More than 40 tour members are from South Korea, including Eun Hee Ji, who won the Open on Sunday and spoke to the media through a translator.
Bivens made the decision after 15 tour members, including Lorena Ochoa, Christie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Se Ri Pak, presented the demand to the LPGA's board of directors. Bivens was believed to be negotiating a buyout from her contract, which was due to expire next year.
The LPGA tour consisted of 35 events in 2005 but has only 10 title contracts for 2010, having lost seven, including all three tournaments in Hawaii, in the past year alone. The major reason has been the downward economy, but Bivens had been unwilling to negotiate with sponsors on purse sizes and the cost of tournaments, asking them to contribute more to the cost of maintaining tournaments and rejecting their wishes to reduce the purse, which has averaged $1.77 million.
Bivens, a former advertising executive, has stumbled since her first year as LPGA commissioner. She talked about hoping to "turn the buzz and the interest and the conversations into a commercial success," with a youth movement led by Creamer and Hawaii's Michelle Wie. Instead, she demanded at the 2006 Fields Open that media yield proprietary rights to their stories and photos to the LPGA, causing the Star-Bulletin and, most notably, the Associated Press to withdraw their reporters and photographers from the tournament.
Bivens caused more anger when she introduced a proposal that foreign-born players be proficient in English or face possible suspension. She dropped the proposal after severe criticism. Fewer than half of this past week's U.S. Women's Open players are Americans. More than 40 tour members are from South Korea, including Eun Hee Ji, who won the Open on Sunday and spoke to the media through a translator.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
How the WNBA got its start
As irked as Stern gets now about gender equity - the ho-hum reaction the U.S. women got for winning their fourth straight gold medal in Beijing compared to the adulation showered on the men's team is "enough to make you into a feminist" - it was economics that drove the creation of the WNBA.
The original WNBA franchises were initially affiliated with their local NBA teams, giving owners a new revenue stream and keeping their arenas occupied in the summer. Regional TV networks got additional programming. Everyone was looking for new ways to capitalize on women's buying power, which was steadily increasing.
The players didn't care what the reasoning was. They just knew they had their own league and it was built for the long haul.
Ads trumpeting "We Got Next" outnumbered Dennis Rodman's tattoos during the 1997 NBA finals, and the WNBA was on TV from the very first tip. Not some random channel at 3 a.m., either, but the big-time, NBC and ESPN. In its second season, the league averaged an impressive 10,800 in attendance.
* * *
(I'll know the WNBA has hit mainstream when we get fantasy WNBA on Yahoo.)
The original WNBA franchises were initially affiliated with their local NBA teams, giving owners a new revenue stream and keeping their arenas occupied in the summer. Regional TV networks got additional programming. Everyone was looking for new ways to capitalize on women's buying power, which was steadily increasing.
The players didn't care what the reasoning was. They just knew they had their own league and it was built for the long haul.
Ads trumpeting "We Got Next" outnumbered Dennis Rodman's tattoos during the 1997 NBA finals, and the WNBA was on TV from the very first tip. Not some random channel at 3 a.m., either, but the big-time, NBC and ESPN. In its second season, the league averaged an impressive 10,800 in attendance.
* * *
(I'll know the WNBA has hit mainstream when we get fantasy WNBA on Yahoo.)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Lesnar defeats Mir at UFC 100
Brock Lesnar behaves like a professional wrestler (i.e. unprofessionally) after defeating Frank Mir at UFC 100.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
The Centurions
Ranking the 100 greatest football players in University of Hawaii History
100 - Craig Stutzmann
99 - Jack Ingram
98 - Alex Kaloi
97 - Rusty Holt
96 - Larry Price
95 - Tala Esera
94 - Mat McBriar
93 - Don Botelho
92 - Dan Kelly
91 - Steve Lehor
90 - Mike Akiu
89 - John Estes
88 - Matt Harding
87 - Wilbert Haslip
86 - Dane McArthur
85 - Kaulana Noa
84 - Jimmy Asato
83 - Jim Cruikshank
82 - Ed Riewerts
81 - Abraham Elimimian
80 - Larry Arnold
79 - Nate Jackson
78 - Chris Brown
77 - Eddie Klaneski
76 - Sol Kaulukukui
75 - Tom Tuinei
74 - Colin Scotts
73 - John Woodock
72 - Heikoti Fakava
71 - Jack Johnson
70 - Larry Cole
69 - Charles Araki
68 - Hal Stringert
67 - Darrick Branch
66 - Alvis Satele
65 - Kynan Forney
64 - Larry Khan-Smith
63 - Tony Morse
62 - Jim Kalili
61 - Walter Briggs
60 - Golden Richards
59 - Chris Roscoe
58 - Mark Kafentzis
57 - Nuu Fa'aola
56 - David Toloumu
55 - Adrian Klemm
54 - Nate Ilaoa
53 - Adam Leonard
52 - Pump Searle
51 - Bill Wise
50 - Ron Hall
49 - Hercules Satele
48 - Isaac Sopoaga
47 - Jim Mills
46 - David Maeva
45 - Larry Sherrer
44 - Ryan Mouton
43 - David Veikune
42 - Amosa Amosa
41 - Cliff Laboy
40 - Nolle Smith
39 - M.L. Johnson
38 - Harry Kahuanui
37 - Ryan Grice-Mullins
36 - Travis Laboy
35 - Walter Murray
34 - Dan Robinson
33 - Travis Sims
32 - Ma'a Tanuvasa
31 - Solomon Elimimian
30 - Nick Rolovich
29 - Mark Odom
28 - Rich Miano
27 - Leo Goeas
26 - Joe Onosai
25 - Skippy Dyer
24 - Pisa Tinoisamoa
23 - Jason Rivers
22 - Dana McLemore
21 - Jeff Sydner
20 - Jeff Ulbrich
19 - Vince Manuwai
18 - Raphel Cherry
17 - Davone Bess
16 - Timmy Chang
15 - Michael Carter
14 - Samson Satele
13 - Ashley Lelie
12 - Blane Gaison
11 - Garrett Gabriel
10 - Jeris White
9 - Chad Owens
8 - Levi Stanley
7 - Niko Noga
6 - Jesse Sapolu
The Top Five
New York knew about Al Noga
The Centurions project
The final countdown
5 - Gary Allen
4 - Tommy Kaulukukui
3 - Al Noga
2 - Jason Elam
1 - Colt Brennan
100 - Craig Stutzmann
99 - Jack Ingram
98 - Alex Kaloi
97 - Rusty Holt
96 - Larry Price
95 - Tala Esera
94 - Mat McBriar
93 - Don Botelho
92 - Dan Kelly
91 - Steve Lehor
90 - Mike Akiu
89 - John Estes
88 - Matt Harding
87 - Wilbert Haslip
86 - Dane McArthur
85 - Kaulana Noa
84 - Jimmy Asato
83 - Jim Cruikshank
82 - Ed Riewerts
81 - Abraham Elimimian
80 - Larry Arnold
79 - Nate Jackson
78 - Chris Brown
77 - Eddie Klaneski
76 - Sol Kaulukukui
75 - Tom Tuinei
74 - Colin Scotts
73 - John Woodock
72 - Heikoti Fakava
71 - Jack Johnson
70 - Larry Cole
69 - Charles Araki
68 - Hal Stringert
67 - Darrick Branch
66 - Alvis Satele
65 - Kynan Forney
64 - Larry Khan-Smith
63 - Tony Morse
62 - Jim Kalili
61 - Walter Briggs
60 - Golden Richards
59 - Chris Roscoe
58 - Mark Kafentzis
57 - Nuu Fa'aola
56 - David Toloumu
55 - Adrian Klemm
54 - Nate Ilaoa
53 - Adam Leonard
52 - Pump Searle
51 - Bill Wise
50 - Ron Hall
49 - Hercules Satele
48 - Isaac Sopoaga
47 - Jim Mills
46 - David Maeva
45 - Larry Sherrer
44 - Ryan Mouton
43 - David Veikune
42 - Amosa Amosa
41 - Cliff Laboy
40 - Nolle Smith
39 - M.L. Johnson
38 - Harry Kahuanui
37 - Ryan Grice-Mullins
36 - Travis Laboy
35 - Walter Murray
34 - Dan Robinson
33 - Travis Sims
32 - Ma'a Tanuvasa
31 - Solomon Elimimian
30 - Nick Rolovich
29 - Mark Odom
28 - Rich Miano
27 - Leo Goeas
26 - Joe Onosai
25 - Skippy Dyer
24 - Pisa Tinoisamoa
23 - Jason Rivers
22 - Dana McLemore
21 - Jeff Sydner
20 - Jeff Ulbrich
19 - Vince Manuwai
18 - Raphel Cherry
17 - Davone Bess
16 - Timmy Chang
15 - Michael Carter
14 - Samson Satele
13 - Ashley Lelie
12 - Blane Gaison
11 - Garrett Gabriel
10 - Jeris White
9 - Chad Owens
8 - Levi Stanley
7 - Niko Noga
6 - Jesse Sapolu
The Top Five
New York knew about Al Noga
The Centurions project
The final countdown
5 - Gary Allen
4 - Tommy Kaulukukui
3 - Al Noga
2 - Jason Elam
1 - Colt Brennan
Federer outlasts Roddick at Wimbledon for 15th Slam
WIMBLEDON, England, July 5 -- It was a day for making history.
Roger Federer, who was reduced to tears after losing last year's Wimbledon final, exulted on the same patch of Centre Court Sunday after winning his 15th Grand Slam title -- one that breaks his tie with Pete Sampras for the most career majors.
Federer prevailed in the longest Grand Slam final in men's history, turning back a determined challenge by American Andy Roddick, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
With the victory, which took 4 hours 18 minutes, Federer claimed his sixth Wimbledon title and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal last August.
Sampras, who won seven Wimbledon titles before retiring in 2002, was among the former champions looking on from the front row of the Royal Box, with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg sitting just to his left. The trio boast 16 Wimbledon singles titles among them, and they rose in unison to pay tribute to Federer's sixth.
Federer hailed a teary-eyed Roddick as "an unbelievable guy" and unbelievable player during his post-match remarks and urged him not to lose faith he would win Wimbledon one day.
"Today, I was on the lucky side," said Federer, who finished with 107 winners, 50 aces yet not once managed to break Roddick's serve.
Roddick bore his disappointment admirably, telling the capacity crowd of 15,000 who honored him with a standing ovation, "I'm one of the lucky few that gets cheered for."
After congratulating Federer on a well-deserved title, Roddick turned to the Royal Box and apologized to Sampras, half in jest, for not being able to keep the Swiss from overtaking his career mark. "I tried to hold him off," Roddick said.
Roger Federer, who was reduced to tears after losing last year's Wimbledon final, exulted on the same patch of Centre Court Sunday after winning his 15th Grand Slam title -- one that breaks his tie with Pete Sampras for the most career majors.
Federer prevailed in the longest Grand Slam final in men's history, turning back a determined challenge by American Andy Roddick, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
With the victory, which took 4 hours 18 minutes, Federer claimed his sixth Wimbledon title and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal last August.
Sampras, who won seven Wimbledon titles before retiring in 2002, was among the former champions looking on from the front row of the Royal Box, with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg sitting just to his left. The trio boast 16 Wimbledon singles titles among them, and they rose in unison to pay tribute to Federer's sixth.
Federer hailed a teary-eyed Roddick as "an unbelievable guy" and unbelievable player during his post-match remarks and urged him not to lose faith he would win Wimbledon one day.
"Today, I was on the lucky side," said Federer, who finished with 107 winners, 50 aces yet not once managed to break Roddick's serve.
Roddick bore his disappointment admirably, telling the capacity crowd of 15,000 who honored him with a standing ovation, "I'm one of the lucky few that gets cheered for."
After congratulating Federer on a well-deserved title, Roddick turned to the Royal Box and apologized to Sampras, half in jest, for not being able to keep the Swiss from overtaking his career mark. "I tried to hold him off," Roddick said.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Bonnie Richardson wins Texas Track and Field Championship
Bonnie Richardson, from tiny Rochelle, Texas (population 600), has accomplished what no other Texas high school track and field athlete has ever achieved: back-to-back team state championships – by herself.
Richardson captured first in the long jump (17-04.50), second in the discus (126-09) and first in the high jump (5-8) on Friday for a total of 28 points. Returning to Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas on Saturday, Richardson placed third in the 200 (25.78) and fourth in the 100 (12.51) for a two-day total of 38 points – two points better than second-place Cayuga in Class A.
Richardson captured first in the long jump (17-04.50), second in the discus (126-09) and first in the high jump (5-8) on Friday for a total of 28 points. Returning to Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas on Saturday, Richardson placed third in the 200 (25.78) and fourth in the 100 (12.51) for a two-day total of 38 points – two points better than second-place Cayuga in Class A.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Blake Griffin taken no. 1 in 2009 NBA draft
NEW YORK -- Blake Griffin was the consensus No. 1 pick. Shaq to the Cavs was the consensus blockbuster.
On a day of head-turning trades around the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers started Thursday night's draft with the obvious choice: Griffin, the only player considered a sure thing in a class full of question marks.
Griffin was the consensus college player of the year after leading the nation with 14.4 rebounds per game while averaging 22.7 points last season for Oklahoma. The Clippers said they would take the forward with the top pick just hours after they won the draft lottery last month, and never considered changing their minds.
"The fact is we're getting an incredible player, incredible person, an impeccable work ethic and a guy that we plan on having in L.A. for many years to come," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He's going to be a great, exciting fit for our ballclub."
The draft followed a day of big trades in the NBA.
The deal that sent Shaquille O'Neal to play alongside LeBron James in Cleveland was completed earlier Thursday, and Eastern Conference champion Orlando acquired Vince Carter from the Nets in a swap completed shortly before the first pick was made.
San Antonio landed Richard Jefferson from Milwaukee on Tuesday, and more big names could be available this summer as teams are forced to slash payroll. The best way to improve quickly this year was through trades, because the draft was considered weaker than in recent years.
It lacked the star power of 2007, when Greg Oden and Kevin Durant battled it out for top pick honors, or when Derrick Rose beat out Michael Beasley last year.
There was no debate this time. Dunleavy announced the Clippers' intentions shortly after his team's surprising lottery win, and they began a marketing campaign featuring the forward the next day.
The Clippers are hoping Griffin turns out better than their last No. 1 overall pick. They opened the 1998 draft by taking center Michael Olowokandi, a bust who is out of the league.
"Hopefully I can bring something they don't have," Griffin said. "I know they have a lot of great players but at the same time I'm excited about the opportunity and hopefully I can bring something to the table that they don't have or maybe they need."
The Memphis Grizzlies then grabbed Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, a dominant rebounder and shot blocker who doesn't have strong offensive skills.
After the two big men, the rest of the first round was dominated by guards, with at least 10 players selected who could play the point. Seven guards went in the first 10 selections.
The Minnesota Timberwolves took two of them with the fifth and sixth picks. They snapped up Spanish teenager Ricky Rubio at No. 5, a pick they acquired from Washington earlier this week, before going for Syracuse's Jonny Flynn with the next pick.
It was thought Rubio might go as high as No. 2, but that never worked out for Memphis. Instead the Grizzlies went with Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 native of Tanzania who switched from soccer to basketball just a few years ago. He has rapidly developed his defensive skills, but still has work to go on the other end.
"The whole season I spent working on my offense and working with so many different people, and to me this is a great opportunity to come out here and go play," Thabeet said.
Rubio has to pay a multimillion dollar buyout to his Spanish club team to get out of his contract, and he said Wednesday his mother doesn't like cold weather. So he sounded lukewarm about heading to Minneapolis.
"I have to think about that, because I'm just three minutes from a Timberwolves player," he said. "So I'm going to talk with my agent about that and we are going to see."
Oklahoma City took high-scoring Arizona State guard James Harden with the No. 3 pick and Sacramento followed by drafting Memphis freshman Tyreke Evans -- who like Griffin was wearing a purple tie. So was Stephen Curry, the NCAA scoring leader from Davidson who went at No. 7 to Golden State.
Jordan Hill (New York), Demar DeRozan (Toronto) and Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) rounded out the top 10, but Jennings didn't come out to don his Bucks hat and shake hands with commissioner David Stern. His agent, Bill Duffy, released a statement earlier Thursday saying he had advised Jennings and his family not to attend the draft and wait in the green room because he was unsure of his client's draft position.
However, Jennings -- the point guard who skipped college to spend a year playing in Europe -- came out from behind the stage, wearing the Milwaukee cap, to greet Stern and wave to the fans after the 14th pick was announced.
A run of forwards followed before Philadelphia grabbed another point guard, UCLA's Jrue Holiday, who was considered a top 10 pick but tumbled to No. 17. Minnesota followed with its third point guard of the draft, Ty Lawson of national champion North Carolina -- though he appeared headed to the Denver Nuggets in yet another deal. Atlanta grabbed still another playmaker, Wake Forest's Jeff Teague, at No. 19. Utah kept up the run by selecting Eric Maynor from Virginia Commonwealth.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
On a day of head-turning trades around the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers started Thursday night's draft with the obvious choice: Griffin, the only player considered a sure thing in a class full of question marks.
Griffin was the consensus college player of the year after leading the nation with 14.4 rebounds per game while averaging 22.7 points last season for Oklahoma. The Clippers said they would take the forward with the top pick just hours after they won the draft lottery last month, and never considered changing their minds.
"The fact is we're getting an incredible player, incredible person, an impeccable work ethic and a guy that we plan on having in L.A. for many years to come," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He's going to be a great, exciting fit for our ballclub."
The draft followed a day of big trades in the NBA.
The deal that sent Shaquille O'Neal to play alongside LeBron James in Cleveland was completed earlier Thursday, and Eastern Conference champion Orlando acquired Vince Carter from the Nets in a swap completed shortly before the first pick was made.
San Antonio landed Richard Jefferson from Milwaukee on Tuesday, and more big names could be available this summer as teams are forced to slash payroll. The best way to improve quickly this year was through trades, because the draft was considered weaker than in recent years.
It lacked the star power of 2007, when Greg Oden and Kevin Durant battled it out for top pick honors, or when Derrick Rose beat out Michael Beasley last year.
There was no debate this time. Dunleavy announced the Clippers' intentions shortly after his team's surprising lottery win, and they began a marketing campaign featuring the forward the next day.
The Clippers are hoping Griffin turns out better than their last No. 1 overall pick. They opened the 1998 draft by taking center Michael Olowokandi, a bust who is out of the league.
"Hopefully I can bring something they don't have," Griffin said. "I know they have a lot of great players but at the same time I'm excited about the opportunity and hopefully I can bring something to the table that they don't have or maybe they need."
The Memphis Grizzlies then grabbed Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, a dominant rebounder and shot blocker who doesn't have strong offensive skills.
After the two big men, the rest of the first round was dominated by guards, with at least 10 players selected who could play the point. Seven guards went in the first 10 selections.
The Minnesota Timberwolves took two of them with the fifth and sixth picks. They snapped up Spanish teenager Ricky Rubio at No. 5, a pick they acquired from Washington earlier this week, before going for Syracuse's Jonny Flynn with the next pick.
It was thought Rubio might go as high as No. 2, but that never worked out for Memphis. Instead the Grizzlies went with Thabeet, the 7-foot-3 native of Tanzania who switched from soccer to basketball just a few years ago. He has rapidly developed his defensive skills, but still has work to go on the other end.
"The whole season I spent working on my offense and working with so many different people, and to me this is a great opportunity to come out here and go play," Thabeet said.
Rubio has to pay a multimillion dollar buyout to his Spanish club team to get out of his contract, and he said Wednesday his mother doesn't like cold weather. So he sounded lukewarm about heading to Minneapolis.
"I have to think about that, because I'm just three minutes from a Timberwolves player," he said. "So I'm going to talk with my agent about that and we are going to see."
Oklahoma City took high-scoring Arizona State guard James Harden with the No. 3 pick and Sacramento followed by drafting Memphis freshman Tyreke Evans -- who like Griffin was wearing a purple tie. So was Stephen Curry, the NCAA scoring leader from Davidson who went at No. 7 to Golden State.
Jordan Hill (New York), Demar DeRozan (Toronto) and Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) rounded out the top 10, but Jennings didn't come out to don his Bucks hat and shake hands with commissioner David Stern. His agent, Bill Duffy, released a statement earlier Thursday saying he had advised Jennings and his family not to attend the draft and wait in the green room because he was unsure of his client's draft position.
However, Jennings -- the point guard who skipped college to spend a year playing in Europe -- came out from behind the stage, wearing the Milwaukee cap, to greet Stern and wave to the fans after the 14th pick was announced.
A run of forwards followed before Philadelphia grabbed another point guard, UCLA's Jrue Holiday, who was considered a top 10 pick but tumbled to No. 17. Minnesota followed with its third point guard of the draft, Ty Lawson of national champion North Carolina -- though he appeared headed to the Denver Nuggets in yet another deal. Atlanta grabbed still another playmaker, Wake Forest's Jeff Teague, at No. 19. Utah kept up the run by selecting Eric Maynor from Virginia Commonwealth.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Shaq to join LeBron
In their latest effort to keep LeBron James in the fold, the Cavaliers have landed Shaquille O'Neal from the Suns in the revival of a deal they tried to make back in February.
According to various reports, O'Neal is going to Cleveland in exchange for the same package proposed at last season's trading deadline. The Cavs are sending Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a second-round pick in tonight's draft to the Suns. The deal was reached in principle late last night and is expected to be finalized today.
According to various reports, O'Neal is going to Cleveland in exchange for the same package proposed at last season's trading deadline. The Cavs are sending Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a second-round pick in tonight's draft to the Suns. The deal was reached in principle late last night and is expected to be finalized today.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Strasburg top pick
The Washington Nationals have selected pitcher Stephen Strasburg with the first pick in baseball's amateur draft.
Considered one of the most talented prospects in the event's 45-year history, Strasburg went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA this season for San Diego State, leading the Aztecs to their first postseason berth since 1991.
Featuring a fastball that has been clocked at 102 mph, Strasburg led Division I pitchers with 195 strikeouts in 109 innings. He was the only amateur on the U.S. Olympic baseball team that won a bronze medal last summer.
Signing the right-hander could be a challenge for the Nationals, however, because agent Scott Boras is sure to seek a record contract.
* * *
[8/18/09] WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals knew they needed to sign No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, and they did.
They needed him because of his pitching talent, his 100 mph fastballs and knee-buckling breaking balls. They needed him to ramp up the remaking of a last-place team on pace for a second consecutive 100-loss season. And they needed him to create a good vibe around a team that's suffered sagging attendance at a new stadium and all manner of bad publicity.
The easy part was drafting Strasburg in June. The hard part was getting him to agree to a contract by the deadline of midnight as Monday turned to Tuesday.
Washington got it done, agreeing with Strasburg on a record-breaking contract worth $15.1 million over four years. The struggling team and the hard-throwing right-hander resolved everything at "11:58 and 43 seconds," Nationals president Stan Kasten said.
"People thought it would take to the last minute," Kasten said, smiling. "We didn't even need that last minute."
Considered one of the most talented prospects in the event's 45-year history, Strasburg went 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA this season for San Diego State, leading the Aztecs to their first postseason berth since 1991.
Featuring a fastball that has been clocked at 102 mph, Strasburg led Division I pitchers with 195 strikeouts in 109 innings. He was the only amateur on the U.S. Olympic baseball team that won a bronze medal last summer.
Signing the right-hander could be a challenge for the Nationals, however, because agent Scott Boras is sure to seek a record contract.
* * *
[8/18/09] WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals knew they needed to sign No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, and they did.
They needed him because of his pitching talent, his 100 mph fastballs and knee-buckling breaking balls. They needed him to ramp up the remaking of a last-place team on pace for a second consecutive 100-loss season. And they needed him to create a good vibe around a team that's suffered sagging attendance at a new stadium and all manner of bad publicity.
The easy part was drafting Strasburg in June. The hard part was getting him to agree to a contract by the deadline of midnight as Monday turned to Tuesday.
Washington got it done, agreeing with Strasburg on a record-breaking contract worth $15.1 million over four years. The struggling team and the hard-throwing right-hander resolved everything at "11:58 and 43 seconds," Nationals president Stan Kasten said.
"People thought it would take to the last minute," Kasten said, smiling. "We didn't even need that last minute."
Friday, June 05, 2009
Randy Johnson wins 300th
The emotions finally flowed for Randy Johnson when the final out was made.
A hug for his son, who was serving as batboy. Hugs for every teammate, plus a really big one for his manager. The game ball presented to his wife as his three daughters beamed with pride. A news conference that lasted a half-hour from a player who usually doesn't have much to say. Someone even spotted a smile.
The Big Unit admits he can come across as surly, and he did his best over the past few weeks to downplay his pursuit of 300 wins. Once he got there -- with a steady, six-inning performance in the San Francisco Giants' 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the opener of a doubleheader Thursday -- he was free to express that, yes, it really is a big deal.
"I think it kind of hit me when I walked on the field," Johnson said. "It's a long-range achievement. It's not a one-game or a one-year achievement, it's a career achievement. Who knows how many teammates I've had over my 21 years, but they had a great deal to do with my success. I'm going to think about this for a long time."
A hug for his son, who was serving as batboy. Hugs for every teammate, plus a really big one for his manager. The game ball presented to his wife as his three daughters beamed with pride. A news conference that lasted a half-hour from a player who usually doesn't have much to say. Someone even spotted a smile.
The Big Unit admits he can come across as surly, and he did his best over the past few weeks to downplay his pursuit of 300 wins. Once he got there -- with a steady, six-inning performance in the San Francisco Giants' 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals in the opener of a doubleheader Thursday -- he was free to express that, yes, it really is a big deal.
"I think it kind of hit me when I walked on the field," Johnson said. "It's a long-range achievement. It's not a one-game or a one-year achievement, it's a career achievement. Who knows how many teammates I've had over my 21 years, but they had a great deal to do with my success. I'm going to think about this for a long time."
Monday, June 01, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
New Wahine Basketball Coach
Former University of Hawai‘i women’s basketball player and assistant Dana Takahara-Dias has been selected as the school’s new head women’s basketball coach, athletics director Jim Donovan announced Thursday at a press conference in the Ed Wong Hospitality Room.
Takahara-Dias, a four-year UH letterwinner from 1984-88, is the program’s seventh head coach since becoming a varsity sport in 1974 and first woman head coach since Patsy Dung (1974-79).
“It is with great pleasure that I announce former Rainbow Wahine Dana Takahara-Dias as our new women’s basketball coach,” Donovan said. “She is a Rainbow Wahine at heart. She began as a walk-on in 1984, earned a scholarship, graduated from UH, and came back as an administrative assistant on former coach Vince Goo’s staff. She later went on to a successful high school coaching career at Moanalua and with Team Aloha and has honed her leadership skills with the City & County of Honolulu. She’s come back to the UH ‘ohana and will be a true role model for the young women of Hawai‘i.”
* * *
The days are like a whirlwind this summer for Dana Takahara-Dias. Often up before dawn and working until late into the night, she says it’s a balancing act, and she’s running on adrenaline.
“What is sleep?” she laughs.
* * *
New University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wahine basketball head coach Dana Takahara-Dias knows you know her weaknesses.
She openly talks about her lack of college coaching experience. She concedes that she’s never been on the recruiting trail, trying to sell UH to 18-year-old high school basketball stars looking for the name recognition of a powerhouse program. She acknowledges she hasn’t been a full-time coach at any level in five years, most recently heading the Moanalua and Aloha All-Star high school teams.
But what Takahara-Dias lacks in experience, she makes up for in her unique familiarity with the Wahine basketball program and its history, her understanding of the complexities of the local community and her limitless energy and boundless enthusiasm for the promise and potential of UH hoops.
Takahara-Dias, a four-year UH letterwinner from 1984-88, is the program’s seventh head coach since becoming a varsity sport in 1974 and first woman head coach since Patsy Dung (1974-79).
“It is with great pleasure that I announce former Rainbow Wahine Dana Takahara-Dias as our new women’s basketball coach,” Donovan said. “She is a Rainbow Wahine at heart. She began as a walk-on in 1984, earned a scholarship, graduated from UH, and came back as an administrative assistant on former coach Vince Goo’s staff. She later went on to a successful high school coaching career at Moanalua and with Team Aloha and has honed her leadership skills with the City & County of Honolulu. She’s come back to the UH ‘ohana and will be a true role model for the young women of Hawai‘i.”
* * *
The days are like a whirlwind this summer for Dana Takahara-Dias. Often up before dawn and working until late into the night, she says it’s a balancing act, and she’s running on adrenaline.
“What is sleep?” she laughs.
* * *
New University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Wahine basketball head coach Dana Takahara-Dias knows you know her weaknesses.
She openly talks about her lack of college coaching experience. She concedes that she’s never been on the recruiting trail, trying to sell UH to 18-year-old high school basketball stars looking for the name recognition of a powerhouse program. She acknowledges she hasn’t been a full-time coach at any level in five years, most recently heading the Moanalua and Aloha All-Star high school teams.
But what Takahara-Dias lacks in experience, she makes up for in her unique familiarity with the Wahine basketball program and its history, her understanding of the complexities of the local community and her limitless energy and boundless enthusiasm for the promise and potential of UH hoops.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Machida defeats Evans to win title
Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida stopped Rashad Evans at 3:57 of the second round to win the light heavyweight title at UFC 98 on Saturday night.
Machida landed a barrage of punches that sent Evans reeling up against the cage and finished him off with a left hand that folded Evans backwards onto the canvas.
"I've tried all my life to become a champion and I am very, very happy," a jubilant Machida said. "Now I'm going to keep this belt for a long time."
The light heavyweight title has now changed hands four times in the last five title bouts.
In the co-main event earlier, Matt Hughes won a unanimous decision against Matt Serra in a matchup of former welterweight champions.
Serra took the advantage early on, flooring Hughes with strikes in the first round. Hughes was able to fight back utilizing his superior wrestling ability and controlled the final two rounds with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.
The two embraced after the fight and seemed to put the bad blood behind them.
The fighters developed a heated rivalry while coaching opposing teams on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show and were scheduled to meet at UFC 79 in December 2007 when Serra pulled out of the bout due to injury.
When asked what his plans for the future were, Hughes said," I'm still motivated to compete so we'll see what happens. I'd like to fight in my home area."
Machida landed a barrage of punches that sent Evans reeling up against the cage and finished him off with a left hand that folded Evans backwards onto the canvas.
"I've tried all my life to become a champion and I am very, very happy," a jubilant Machida said. "Now I'm going to keep this belt for a long time."
The light heavyweight title has now changed hands four times in the last five title bouts.
In the co-main event earlier, Matt Hughes won a unanimous decision against Matt Serra in a matchup of former welterweight champions.
Serra took the advantage early on, flooring Hughes with strikes in the first round. Hughes was able to fight back utilizing his superior wrestling ability and controlled the final two rounds with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.
The two embraced after the fight and seemed to put the bad blood behind them.
The fighters developed a heated rivalry while coaching opposing teams on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show and were scheduled to meet at UFC 79 in December 2007 when Serra pulled out of the bout due to injury.
When asked what his plans for the future were, Hughes said," I'm still motivated to compete so we'll see what happens. I'd like to fight in my home area."
Thursday, April 16, 2009
John Madden retires
NEW YORK (AP) — John Madden is retiring from football announcing, where his enthusiastic, down-to-earth style made him one of sports' most popular broadcasters for three decades. The Hall of Fame coach spent the last three seasons on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." His final telecast was the Super Bowl in February.
"You know at some point you have to do this — I got to that point," Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. "The thing that made it hard is not because I'm second guessing, 'is it the right decision?' But I enjoyed it so damn much.
"I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything."
Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network's studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.
Ebersol called Madden "absolutely the best sports broadcaster who ever lived."
Madden said his health is fine, but at the age of 73, he wanted to spend more time with his family. His 50th wedding anniversary is this fall, and his five grandchildren are old enough to notice when he's gone.
"You know at some point you have to do this — I got to that point," Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. "The thing that made it hard is not because I'm second guessing, 'is it the right decision?' But I enjoyed it so damn much.
"I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything."
Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network's studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.
Ebersol called Madden "absolutely the best sports broadcaster who ever lived."
Madden said his health is fine, but at the age of 73, he wanted to spend more time with his family. His 50th wedding anniversary is this fall, and his five grandchildren are old enough to notice when he's gone.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Les Keiter
Les Keiter, who served as the voice of Hawai'i and national sporting events for more than a half century, died today. He was 89.
Keiter achieved national and local prominence for his booming play-by-play accompanied by folksy catchphrases.
KHON2 news anchor Joe Moore nicknamed Keiter the "General" after a character he played in a "Hawai'i Five-0" episode.
It was a fitting description for an announcer who commanded widespread respect.
"Everybody looked up to Les," said Riley Wallace, a former University of Hawai'i basketball coach. He was old school. He reported only the facts of the game. He always was a friend — to coaches, players, and the fans. He'll be missed."
Long-time Hawai'i sportscaster Jim Leahey said: "He was a terrific guy. He always called you 'Kid.' Even though he was getting aged, his voice was still strong. And his mind was sharp as a tack."
Keiter started his broadcasting career in Hawai'i after World War II, then went on to a successful career in Philadelphia and New York.
He was the voice of Philaelphia's Big-Five college basketball. He also covered major boxing matches, including championship bouts featuring Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston.
After the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocated to California in the late 1950s, Keiter was hired to do recreated broadcasts of their games for New York baseball fans.
His broadcasts were peppered with pet phrases:
"In-again, out-again, Finnigan."
"Ring-tail howitzer."
"Tickle the twine."
"Back, back, back ... Boom! Off the wall."
"They're wearing their batting clothes tonight."
Leahey said: "We could be here a long time remembering his sayings he used to enliven his broadcasts. When you had the drudgery of recreation, you had to create a whole new world and invite people in."
Keiter returned to Hawai'i in the early 1970s, where he served as voice of the Hawai'i Islanders and UH sports.
He teammed with Moore to launch KHON atop the local news ratings.
Keiter's autobiography, "50 Years Behind the Microphone," is in the baseball Hall of Fame.
Keiter's death comes a day after Harry Kalas died. Both began their broadcast careers in Hawai'i and both became popular sportscasters in Philadelphia.
In 1982, both were hired to announce the first Aloha Bowl.
Lenny Klompus, the senior communcations advisor to Gov. Linda Lingle, was the executive director of the Aloha Bowl.
The deaths of Keiter and Kalas, Klompus said, "remind me of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passing away on July 4 of the same year. Maybe they're calling a game upstairs. I feel like I lost brothers today."
By Stephen Tsai
We’ll miss The General -- by Dave Reardon
Les Keiter remembered
Bill Kwon remembers The General
Ron Mizutani remembers his mentor
***
[6/10/18] Recreating Keiter
Keiter achieved national and local prominence for his booming play-by-play accompanied by folksy catchphrases.
KHON2 news anchor Joe Moore nicknamed Keiter the "General" after a character he played in a "Hawai'i Five-0" episode.
It was a fitting description for an announcer who commanded widespread respect.
"Everybody looked up to Les," said Riley Wallace, a former University of Hawai'i basketball coach. He was old school. He reported only the facts of the game. He always was a friend — to coaches, players, and the fans. He'll be missed."
Long-time Hawai'i sportscaster Jim Leahey said: "He was a terrific guy. He always called you 'Kid.' Even though he was getting aged, his voice was still strong. And his mind was sharp as a tack."
Keiter started his broadcasting career in Hawai'i after World War II, then went on to a successful career in Philadelphia and New York.
He was the voice of Philaelphia's Big-Five college basketball. He also covered major boxing matches, including championship bouts featuring Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston.
After the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocated to California in the late 1950s, Keiter was hired to do recreated broadcasts of their games for New York baseball fans.
His broadcasts were peppered with pet phrases:
"In-again, out-again, Finnigan."
"Ring-tail howitzer."
"Tickle the twine."
"Back, back, back ... Boom! Off the wall."
"They're wearing their batting clothes tonight."
Leahey said: "We could be here a long time remembering his sayings he used to enliven his broadcasts. When you had the drudgery of recreation, you had to create a whole new world and invite people in."
Keiter returned to Hawai'i in the early 1970s, where he served as voice of the Hawai'i Islanders and UH sports.
He teammed with Moore to launch KHON atop the local news ratings.
Keiter's autobiography, "50 Years Behind the Microphone," is in the baseball Hall of Fame.
Keiter's death comes a day after Harry Kalas died. Both began their broadcast careers in Hawai'i and both became popular sportscasters in Philadelphia.
In 1982, both were hired to announce the first Aloha Bowl.
Lenny Klompus, the senior communcations advisor to Gov. Linda Lingle, was the executive director of the Aloha Bowl.
The deaths of Keiter and Kalas, Klompus said, "remind me of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passing away on July 4 of the same year. Maybe they're calling a game upstairs. I feel like I lost brothers today."
By Stephen Tsai
We’ll miss The General -- by Dave Reardon
Les Keiter remembered
Bill Kwon remembers The General
Ron Mizutani remembers his mentor
***
[6/10/18] Recreating Keiter
Aloha Harry Kalas
Harry Kalas died today.
You’ve heard his voice.
If you’re a youngster, you know it from NFL Films and the Chunky Soup commercials.
If you’re from Philadelphia, you know it because he was the longtime voice of the 2008 World Champs.
If you work at the Star-Bulletin, you’ve heard Jerry Campany’s impersonation of Kalas’ staccato baritone “Outta .. Here … Home Run … ” anytime one of his fantasy players knocked one out of the park.
But if you’re a Hawaii sports fan in your late 50s or older, you and Harry Kalas go way back, to the early 1960s when Kalas was the Islanders’ first play-by-pay guy. Before Al Michaels, before Hank Greenwald, before Les Keiter even. His success also helped pave the way for guys of the next generation, like Larry Biel and Neal Everett. Hawaii became a cradle for sportscasting greatness, with Kalas among the pioneers.
Kalas also did high school and UH games while here, and always got the local names right.
I’m a little too young to remember Kalas (I was born the same year as the Islanders, 1961), but everyone I know who knew him said he was a great guy … and they said it before he died, and no one talked stink about him, as often happens in the sports media business that is often cursed with over-inflated egos and petty professional jealousy.
His death today (on the job, by the way) is clearly a huge loss to baseball and football. And he will be missed by many sports fans in Hawaii.
-– By Dave Reardon
You’ve heard his voice.
If you’re a youngster, you know it from NFL Films and the Chunky Soup commercials.
If you’re from Philadelphia, you know it because he was the longtime voice of the 2008 World Champs.
If you work at the Star-Bulletin, you’ve heard Jerry Campany’s impersonation of Kalas’ staccato baritone “Outta .. Here … Home Run … ” anytime one of his fantasy players knocked one out of the park.
But if you’re a Hawaii sports fan in your late 50s or older, you and Harry Kalas go way back, to the early 1960s when Kalas was the Islanders’ first play-by-pay guy. Before Al Michaels, before Hank Greenwald, before Les Keiter even. His success also helped pave the way for guys of the next generation, like Larry Biel and Neal Everett. Hawaii became a cradle for sportscasting greatness, with Kalas among the pioneers.
Kalas also did high school and UH games while here, and always got the local names right.
I’m a little too young to remember Kalas (I was born the same year as the Islanders, 1961), but everyone I know who knew him said he was a great guy … and they said it before he died, and no one talked stink about him, as often happens in the sports media business that is often cursed with over-inflated egos and petty professional jealousy.
His death today (on the job, by the way) is clearly a huge loss to baseball and football. And he will be missed by many sports fans in Hawaii.
-– By Dave Reardon
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mark Fidrych
BOSTON (AP) — Whether he was dominating hitters or hauling asphalt, Mark Fidrych had fun.
The colorful pitcher talked to baseballs, smoothed the mound with his hands and high-fived teammates in the middle of the diamond. He had one terrific season in 1976, and after injuries curtailed his career — just five years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers — he lived on his farm in Northborough, Mass., where he enjoyed driving his truck and using it for building projects.
On Monday, Fidrych was found dead beneath a 10-wheel dump truck by Joseph Amorello, a friend and owner of a road construction company who sometimes hired Fidrych. He was 54.
"Everybody wanted him on their crew," Amorello said in a telephone interview. "He was a hard worker, but, at the same time, he always had a smile on his face."
The colorful pitcher talked to baseballs, smoothed the mound with his hands and high-fived teammates in the middle of the diamond. He had one terrific season in 1976, and after injuries curtailed his career — just five years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers — he lived on his farm in Northborough, Mass., where he enjoyed driving his truck and using it for building projects.
On Monday, Fidrych was found dead beneath a 10-wheel dump truck by Joseph Amorello, a friend and owner of a road construction company who sometimes hired Fidrych. He was 54.
"Everybody wanted him on their crew," Amorello said in a telephone interview. "He was a hard worker, but, at the same time, he always had a smile on his face."
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Bolla out
Jim Bolla is no longer the coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team, according to a three-paragraph news release issued by athletics director Jim Donovan today.
Bolla, 57, head coach of the Rainbow Wahine the last five years, was on paid leave since Feb. 13 and missed the final nine games of the 2008-09 season after allegations surfaced that he kicked a player during a fall practice.
A university source said a negotiated settlement was in the works for his removal. But Bolla said last night he would file a grievance through his union on any UH decision and declined further comment.
Donovan’s release said a search committee would be formed immediately and UH hopes to have a new coach soon.
Bolla, hired for the 2004-05 season to replace Vince Goo, had two years remaining on his contract at roughly $120,000 per year. Then-athletic director Herman Frazier gave Bolla a four-year extension on his original three-year contract during the summer of 2007.
[4/8/09, posted 4/23/09]
Bolla, 57, head coach of the Rainbow Wahine the last five years, was on paid leave since Feb. 13 and missed the final nine games of the 2008-09 season after allegations surfaced that he kicked a player during a fall practice.
A university source said a negotiated settlement was in the works for his removal. But Bolla said last night he would file a grievance through his union on any UH decision and declined further comment.
Donovan’s release said a search committee would be formed immediately and UH hopes to have a new coach soon.
Bolla, hired for the 2004-05 season to replace Vince Goo, had two years remaining on his contract at roughly $120,000 per year. Then-athletic director Herman Frazier gave Bolla a four-year extension on his original three-year contract during the summer of 2007.
[4/8/09, posted 4/23/09]
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Mugiishi retires
'Iolani boys basketball coach Dr. Mark Mugiishi announced his retirement last night after 20 years of leading the Raiders.
Mugiishi won a record seven state championships (1994, '98, '02, '03, '04, '05 and '06) and compiled an overall record of 463-125.
He also led the team to 10 Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles and 16 state tournament appearances.
"The championships and the wins under Coach Mugiishi are terrific and mean a lot to our school community," 'Iolani headmaster Dr. Val Iwashita said in a news release. "But the lives he has impacted and changed in positive, meaningful ways are his most priceless contribution."
The release stated that Mugiishi, a practicing surgeon at Central Medical Clinic and member of the 'Iolani Board of Governors, stepped down because of increased demands on his time.
"It's been a great run," Mugiishi said. "But at this point, something had to give."
Under Mugiishi, an 'Iolani graduate, the 'Iolani Prep Classic grew into one of the top prep tournaments in the country.
Two of Mugiishi's most notable players were Derrick Low, who went on to play at Washington State, and Bobby Nash, who played at Hawaii.
Mugiishi won a record seven state championships (1994, '98, '02, '03, '04, '05 and '06) and compiled an overall record of 463-125.
He also led the team to 10 Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles and 16 state tournament appearances.
"The championships and the wins under Coach Mugiishi are terrific and mean a lot to our school community," 'Iolani headmaster Dr. Val Iwashita said in a news release. "But the lives he has impacted and changed in positive, meaningful ways are his most priceless contribution."
The release stated that Mugiishi, a practicing surgeon at Central Medical Clinic and member of the 'Iolani Board of Governors, stepped down because of increased demands on his time.
"It's been a great run," Mugiishi said. "But at this point, something had to give."
Under Mugiishi, an 'Iolani graduate, the 'Iolani Prep Classic grew into one of the top prep tournaments in the country.
Two of Mugiishi's most notable players were Derrick Low, who went on to play at Washington State, and Bobby Nash, who played at Hawaii.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Jordan, Stockton, Robinson, Sloan in Hall of Fame
It was only a matter of time, and now Michael Jordan is in the Hall of Fame.
Jordan was elected to the class of 2009 Monday with David Robinson, John Stockton, Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer.
The announcement was made in Detroit, site of the men's Final Four. Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jordan's Hall of Fame selection was a slam dunk after he retired as perhaps the greatest player in history. And he gave much of the credit Monday to his college coach.
"There's no way you guys would have got a chance to see Michael Jordan play without Dean Smith," he said.
His soaring dunks, Nike commercials and "Air Jordan" nickname helped stamp him as one the most recognizable athletes around the world. He finished a 15-year career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards with 32,292 points -- the third-highest total in league history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. His final career average of 30.12 goes down as the best, just ahead of Wilt Chamberlain's 30.07.
The five-time NBA MVP won six championships with the Bulls and another in college with North Carolina. The Tar Heels play Michigan State in the national championship game Monday night.
Tar Heels coach Roy Williams was an assistant with Carolina on that 1982 national championship team and was at Monday's induction, where Ty Lawson won the Bob Cousy award, given to the nation's top point guard.
Jordan retired twice during his career. He first came back to the Bulls in 1994 and won three more championships before retiring again in 1998. He then had an ill-fated two-year stint with the Washington Wizards before calling it quits for good in 2003.
Monday, he joked that when he saw Stockton and Robinson he was ready to put his shorts on again.
Jordan won two of his titles in the 1990s against Sloan, Stockton and the Utah Jazz. Stockton spent his entire career with the Jazz and finished with 19,711 points, 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals. He also holds NBA records for most assists in a season (1,164 in 1990-91) and highest assist average in a season (14.5 in 1989-90).
"Growing up I never thought about the Hall of Fame," he said. "All I wanted was a chance to go to college."
Utah took Stockton in the first round of the 1984 draft, using the No. 16 pick on a relatively unknown player from Gonzaga who became one of the top point guards.
"I haven't given this much thought over the course of a lifetime," he said. "I'm not sure it quite strikes home until you're standing here."
Robinson, who earned the nickname "The Admiral" from his college career at Navy, joined Stockton and Jordan as members of the NBA's 50th anniversary team.
He had a stellar 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs that included two NBA championships, an MVP season, a rookie of the year award, 10 All-Star selections, a scoring title and two Olympic gold medals.
Robinson, too, credited his coaches over the years who "kicked me when I need to be kicked and hugged me when I needed to be hugged."
Sloan, who did not attend the ceremony, is the longest tenured head coach in major league sports with a single franchise. A two-time All-Star during his playing days with the Bulls, Sloan is the only NBA coach to win more than 1,000 games with a single team. He has the Jazz in seventh place in the Western Conference standings going into Monday night's games.
Stringer has led three separate teams to the Final Four in her 38-year career and has an 825-280 mark spanning four decades. She trails only Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt on the victories list. Stringer guided Rutgers to its fifth straight regional semifinals trip this season.
"My knees are weak, and to think I would be standing here with these great, great, men of basketball," Stringer said. "It's not ever about me. It's about the players who all make it happen."
Jordan was elected to the class of 2009 Monday with David Robinson, John Stockton, Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer.
The announcement was made in Detroit, site of the men's Final Four. Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jordan's Hall of Fame selection was a slam dunk after he retired as perhaps the greatest player in history. And he gave much of the credit Monday to his college coach.
"There's no way you guys would have got a chance to see Michael Jordan play without Dean Smith," he said.
His soaring dunks, Nike commercials and "Air Jordan" nickname helped stamp him as one the most recognizable athletes around the world. He finished a 15-year career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards with 32,292 points -- the third-highest total in league history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. His final career average of 30.12 goes down as the best, just ahead of Wilt Chamberlain's 30.07.
The five-time NBA MVP won six championships with the Bulls and another in college with North Carolina. The Tar Heels play Michigan State in the national championship game Monday night.
Tar Heels coach Roy Williams was an assistant with Carolina on that 1982 national championship team and was at Monday's induction, where Ty Lawson won the Bob Cousy award, given to the nation's top point guard.
Jordan retired twice during his career. He first came back to the Bulls in 1994 and won three more championships before retiring again in 1998. He then had an ill-fated two-year stint with the Washington Wizards before calling it quits for good in 2003.
Monday, he joked that when he saw Stockton and Robinson he was ready to put his shorts on again.
Jordan won two of his titles in the 1990s against Sloan, Stockton and the Utah Jazz. Stockton spent his entire career with the Jazz and finished with 19,711 points, 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals. He also holds NBA records for most assists in a season (1,164 in 1990-91) and highest assist average in a season (14.5 in 1989-90).
"Growing up I never thought about the Hall of Fame," he said. "All I wanted was a chance to go to college."
Utah took Stockton in the first round of the 1984 draft, using the No. 16 pick on a relatively unknown player from Gonzaga who became one of the top point guards.
"I haven't given this much thought over the course of a lifetime," he said. "I'm not sure it quite strikes home until you're standing here."
Robinson, who earned the nickname "The Admiral" from his college career at Navy, joined Stockton and Jordan as members of the NBA's 50th anniversary team.
He had a stellar 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs that included two NBA championships, an MVP season, a rookie of the year award, 10 All-Star selections, a scoring title and two Olympic gold medals.
Robinson, too, credited his coaches over the years who "kicked me when I need to be kicked and hugged me when I needed to be hugged."
Sloan, who did not attend the ceremony, is the longest tenured head coach in major league sports with a single franchise. A two-time All-Star during his playing days with the Bulls, Sloan is the only NBA coach to win more than 1,000 games with a single team. He has the Jazz in seventh place in the Western Conference standings going into Monday night's games.
Stringer has led three separate teams to the Final Four in her 38-year career and has an 825-280 mark spanning four decades. She trails only Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt on the victories list. Stringer guided Rutgers to its fifth straight regional semifinals trip this season.
"My knees are weak, and to think I would be standing here with these great, great, men of basketball," Stringer said. "It's not ever about me. It's about the players who all make it happen."
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Brandon Knight named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 31, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----In its third decade of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE, today announced junior point guard Brandon Knight of Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) as its 2008-09 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Knight is the first student-athlete from the state of Florida to win Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Knight as the nation's best high school boys basketball player. A national advisory board comprised of sportswriters and sport-specific experts from around the country helped select Knight from more than 552,000 high school boys basketball players nationwide. Knight is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year Award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior point guard led the Panthers to their second consecutive Class 3A state title, averaging 31.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and three steals per game this season. Knight scored 27 points, pulled down nine rebounds and dished four assists in a 60-44 win over Jones High in the state final. A two-time First Team All-State selection and the Panhandle Sports Broadcasting 2009 Class 3A Tournament MVP, Knight shattered his own school single-season record by more than 200 points, finishing with 968 points this winter. He also set a school record by sinking 127 three-pointers, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Knight committed only 63 turnovers in 864 minutes-played this past season.
Ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the class of 2010 on the ESPNU Super 60 and the No. 2 recruit in his class as rated by Rivals.com, Knight holds the following school records: points in a game (55); career points (2,589); career assists (594); single-season points (968); career 3-pointers (259); single-season 3-pointers (127); single-game assists (16) and single-season free throw percentage (81). A varsity player since eighth grade, he has pulled down more than 900 career rebounds.
Knight will begin his senior year of high school this fall. He becomes just the 11th high school junior (of 204 honorees) to win Gatorade National Player of the Year honors in any sport, joining LeBron James (2001-02 & 2002-03/Boys Basketball/Akron, OH), Greg Oden (2004-05 & 2005-06/Boys Basketball/Indianapolis, IN), Candace Parker (2002-03 & 2003-04/Girls Basketball/Naperville, IL), Matt Barkley (2007-08/Football/Santa Ana, CA), Kenzie Fowler (2007-08/Softball/Tucson, AZ), Ashley Brasovan (2007-08/Girls Cross Country/Wellington, FL), Melissa Henderson (2006-07/Girls Soccer/Richardson, TX), Marion Jones (1990-91, 1991-92 & 1992-93/Girls Track & Field/Thousand Oaks, CA), Bianca Knight (2005-06/Girls Track & Field/Ridgeland, MS) and Cynthia Barboza (2003-04 & 2004-05/Volleyball/Long Beach, CA).
For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information and lists of past winners and future announcement dates, visit gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.
ALL-TIME GATORADE NATIONAL BOYS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
SOURCE Gatorade
Copyright (C: 2.65, 0.13, 5.16%) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Knight as the nation's best high school boys basketball player. A national advisory board comprised of sportswriters and sport-specific experts from around the country helped select Knight from more than 552,000 high school boys basketball players nationwide. Knight is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year Award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior point guard led the Panthers to their second consecutive Class 3A state title, averaging 31.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and three steals per game this season. Knight scored 27 points, pulled down nine rebounds and dished four assists in a 60-44 win over Jones High in the state final. A two-time First Team All-State selection and the Panhandle Sports Broadcasting 2009 Class 3A Tournament MVP, Knight shattered his own school single-season record by more than 200 points, finishing with 968 points this winter. He also set a school record by sinking 127 three-pointers, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Knight committed only 63 turnovers in 864 minutes-played this past season.
Ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the class of 2010 on the ESPNU Super 60 and the No. 2 recruit in his class as rated by Rivals.com, Knight holds the following school records: points in a game (55); career points (2,589); career assists (594); single-season points (968); career 3-pointers (259); single-season 3-pointers (127); single-game assists (16) and single-season free throw percentage (81). A varsity player since eighth grade, he has pulled down more than 900 career rebounds.
Knight will begin his senior year of high school this fall. He becomes just the 11th high school junior (of 204 honorees) to win Gatorade National Player of the Year honors in any sport, joining LeBron James (2001-02 & 2002-03/Boys Basketball/Akron, OH), Greg Oden (2004-05 & 2005-06/Boys Basketball/Indianapolis, IN), Candace Parker (2002-03 & 2003-04/Girls Basketball/Naperville, IL), Matt Barkley (2007-08/Football/Santa Ana, CA), Kenzie Fowler (2007-08/Softball/Tucson, AZ), Ashley Brasovan (2007-08/Girls Cross Country/Wellington, FL), Melissa Henderson (2006-07/Girls Soccer/Richardson, TX), Marion Jones (1990-91, 1991-92 & 1992-93/Girls Track & Field/Thousand Oaks, CA), Bianca Knight (2005-06/Girls Track & Field/Ridgeland, MS) and Cynthia Barboza (2003-04 & 2004-05/Volleyball/Long Beach, CA).
For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information and lists of past winners and future announcement dates, visit gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.
ALL-TIME GATORADE NATIONAL BOYS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Year Name High School Status
2008-09 Brandon Knight Pine Crest School/ High School
Fort Lauderdale, FL Senior
2007-08 Jrue Holiday Campbell Hall/ UCLA
North Hollywood, CA
2006-07 Kevin Love Lake Oswego/ Minnesota
Lake Oswego, OR Timberwolves
2005-06 Greg Oden Lawrence North/ Portland
Indianapolis, IN Trail Blazers
2004-05 Greg Oden Lawrence North/ Portland
Indianapolis, IN Trail Blazers
2003-04 Dwight Howard SW Atlanta Christian Orlando Magic
Academy/Atlanta, GA
2002-03 LeBron James St. Vincent-St. Mary Cleveland
Akron, OH Cavaliers
2001-02 LeBron James St. Vincent-St. Mary Cleveland
Akron, OH Cavaliers
2000-01 Kelvin Torbert Northwestern Edison Michigan St.
Flint, MI Univ. Grad.
1999-00 Jared Jeffries North New York
Bloomington, IN Knicks
1998-99 LaVell Blanchard Pioneer Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI Grad.
1997-98 Al Harrington St. Patrick/ New York
Elizabeth, NJ Knicks
1996-97 Baron Davis Crossroads/ Los Angeles
Santa Monica, CA Clippers
1995-96 Kobe Bryant Lower Merion/ Los Angeles
Ardmore, PA Lakers
1994-95 Stephon Marbury Abraham Lincoln/ Boston
Brooklyn, NY Celtics
1993-94 Felipe Lopez Rice/New York, NY Gaiteros del
Zulia
1992-93 Randy Livingston Isidore Newman/ Retired from
New Orleans, LA NBA
1991-92 Corliss Russellville/ Retired from
Williamson Russellville, AR NBA
1990-91 Chris Webber Detroit County Day/ Retired from
Birmingham, MI NBA
1989-90 Damon Bailey Bedford No. Lawrence Retired from
Bedford, IN NBA
1988-89 Kenny Anderson Archbishop Molloy/ Retired from
Jamaica, NY NBA
1987-88 Alonzo Mourning Indian River/ Retired from
Chesapeake, VA NBA
1986-87 LaBradford Smith Bay City/ Retired from
Bay City, TX NBA
1985-86 J.R. Reid Kempsville/ Retired from
Virginia Beach, VA NBA
SOURCE Gatorade
Copyright (C: 2.65, 0.13, 5.16%) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Griffin, Hansbrough top All-American team
Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansbrough spent a lot of time together on the court last weekend and were back together Monday as the top vote-getters on The Associated Press' All-America team.
Griffin, the sophomore forward from Oklahoma who led the nation in rebounding, was the only unanimous selection for the team. Hansbrough, the consensus player of the year last season as a junior, repeated as a first-teamer the day after his Tar Heels beat the Sooners 72-60 to advance to the Final Four.
Joining them on the team were players from schools with little All-America history, sophomores DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh, James Harden of Arizona State and junior Stephen Curry of Davidson.
Griffin, who averaged 21 points and 14.3 rebounds while shooting 63.5 percent from the field, became college basketball's image for toughness when he returned from a concussion only to drive headlong onto the scorer's table.
He received 71 first-team votes and 335 points from the same national media panel that selects the weekly Top 25. Balloting was done before the NCAA tournament.
Hansbrough, a unanimous pick last season along with Kansas State's Michael Beasley, got 50 first-team votes and 304 points. This is the fourth straight season the 6-foot-9 forward received All-America recognition. He was a third-team pick as a freshman and was on the second team after his sophomore season.
Blair is Pittsburgh's second first-teamer, joining Don Hennon in 1958. Curry, who led the nation in scoring, is Davidson's second as well. Fred Hetzel was Davidson's first first-teamer in 1965.
Harden is Arizona State's first AP All-America.
Griffin, the Big 12 player of the year, is the third Oklahoma player to be selected and the first since Stacey King in 1989. Wayman Tisdale of the Sooners was a three-time All-America from 1983-85.
"When Coach [Jeff] Capel started recruiting me, he talked to me a lot about changing the culture of this program and getting it back to a place where guys like Wayman Tisdale and Stacey King and those guys came to play," said Griffin, a native of Oklahoma City. "It's definitely an honor."
Hansbrough, who is in his second straight Final Four with the Tar Heels, is the third North Carolina player to repeat. He joins Phil Ford (1977-78) and Michael Jordan (1983-84).
"Those are some of my favorite Carolina players. To be up there with them -- that's special," Hansbrough said. "I never dreamed of that when I came here."
Blair, who was third in the voting with 294 points, averaged 15.6 points and 12.2 rebounds, was the only postseason All-America player not to be on the preseason team. One of the best offensive rebounders in recent years, Blair became a fan favorite when he was often caught smiling during games.
"That's pretty big. That's total," the 6-7, 265-pound sophomore said when told he made the team. "I worked hard, and the hard work paid off. It's pretty cool just to be up there with those guys and to be talked about."
Harden, who received 290 points, was the Pac-10 player of the year after a sophomore season that saw him average 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 35.8 minutes. He led the Sun Devils to their first NCAA bid since 2003 as they posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in 28 years.
"There have been a lot of great players in this program and to be the first to get this is quite an accomplishment," Harden said, adding it's all part of making the Sun Devils a national program. "That's the reason I came here, to help get the respect and hopefully we can keep it up."
Curry became an overnight star in Davidson's run to the round of eight last season, and he backed it up with a junior season that saw him lead the country in scoring while making the transition to point guard.
He averaged 28.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists as the Wildcats won the Southern Conference regular season title but lost in the tournament and didn't make the NCAA field.
"It was difficult to go from being a scoring threat to someone who creates for others, but my teammates helped me in my transition and made my job easier," said Curry, who received 288 points. "It was a tough challenge, but I met it head on and worked hard to be the best point guard I could be."
Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet led the second team with 238 points and was joined by three other juniors, Ty Lawson of North Carolina, Luke Harangody of Notre Dame and Jodie Meeks of Kentucky, along with senior Jerel McNeal of Marquette.
The third team had seniors Terrence Williams of Louisville, Toney Douglas of Florida State and Sam Young of Pittsburgh, along with juniors Sherron Collins of Kansas and Gerald Henderson of Duke.
[posted 5/30/10]
Griffin, the sophomore forward from Oklahoma who led the nation in rebounding, was the only unanimous selection for the team. Hansbrough, the consensus player of the year last season as a junior, repeated as a first-teamer the day after his Tar Heels beat the Sooners 72-60 to advance to the Final Four.
Joining them on the team were players from schools with little All-America history, sophomores DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh, James Harden of Arizona State and junior Stephen Curry of Davidson.
Griffin, who averaged 21 points and 14.3 rebounds while shooting 63.5 percent from the field, became college basketball's image for toughness when he returned from a concussion only to drive headlong onto the scorer's table.
He received 71 first-team votes and 335 points from the same national media panel that selects the weekly Top 25. Balloting was done before the NCAA tournament.
Hansbrough, a unanimous pick last season along with Kansas State's Michael Beasley, got 50 first-team votes and 304 points. This is the fourth straight season the 6-foot-9 forward received All-America recognition. He was a third-team pick as a freshman and was on the second team after his sophomore season.
Blair is Pittsburgh's second first-teamer, joining Don Hennon in 1958. Curry, who led the nation in scoring, is Davidson's second as well. Fred Hetzel was Davidson's first first-teamer in 1965.
Harden is Arizona State's first AP All-America.
Griffin, the Big 12 player of the year, is the third Oklahoma player to be selected and the first since Stacey King in 1989. Wayman Tisdale of the Sooners was a three-time All-America from 1983-85.
"When Coach [Jeff] Capel started recruiting me, he talked to me a lot about changing the culture of this program and getting it back to a place where guys like Wayman Tisdale and Stacey King and those guys came to play," said Griffin, a native of Oklahoma City. "It's definitely an honor."
Hansbrough, who is in his second straight Final Four with the Tar Heels, is the third North Carolina player to repeat. He joins Phil Ford (1977-78) and Michael Jordan (1983-84).
"Those are some of my favorite Carolina players. To be up there with them -- that's special," Hansbrough said. "I never dreamed of that when I came here."
Blair, who was third in the voting with 294 points, averaged 15.6 points and 12.2 rebounds, was the only postseason All-America player not to be on the preseason team. One of the best offensive rebounders in recent years, Blair became a fan favorite when he was often caught smiling during games.
"That's pretty big. That's total," the 6-7, 265-pound sophomore said when told he made the team. "I worked hard, and the hard work paid off. It's pretty cool just to be up there with those guys and to be talked about."
Harden, who received 290 points, was the Pac-10 player of the year after a sophomore season that saw him average 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 35.8 minutes. He led the Sun Devils to their first NCAA bid since 2003 as they posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in 28 years.
"There have been a lot of great players in this program and to be the first to get this is quite an accomplishment," Harden said, adding it's all part of making the Sun Devils a national program. "That's the reason I came here, to help get the respect and hopefully we can keep it up."
Curry became an overnight star in Davidson's run to the round of eight last season, and he backed it up with a junior season that saw him lead the country in scoring while making the transition to point guard.
He averaged 28.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists as the Wildcats won the Southern Conference regular season title but lost in the tournament and didn't make the NCAA field.
"It was difficult to go from being a scoring threat to someone who creates for others, but my teammates helped me in my transition and made my job easier," said Curry, who received 288 points. "It was a tough challenge, but I met it head on and worked hard to be the best point guard I could be."
Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet led the second team with 238 points and was joined by three other juniors, Ty Lawson of North Carolina, Luke Harangody of Notre Dame and Jodie Meeks of Kentucky, along with senior Jerel McNeal of Marquette.
The third team had seniors Terrence Williams of Louisville, Toney Douglas of Florida State and Sam Young of Pittsburgh, along with juniors Sherron Collins of Kansas and Gerald Henderson of Duke.
[posted 5/30/10]
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Farrington Coaching Champion
Twenty years ago, in 1989, Caroline Tatupu finished a brilliant playing career with the Iolani girls basketball team. In her four years there, the cousin of former NFL star Mosi Tatupu helped her team claim four straight ILH championships and two state titles.
“I played center; Melanie Azama was our point guard,” she recalls of those outstanding teams.
Fast forward two decades later and Tatupu is now coaching the Farrington Governors’ girls basketball team. In just her second year at the helm, she has the Governors playing at the same championship level she realized herself in the late 1980s at Iolani.
***
Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo is no stranger to pressure.
“I played center; Melanie Azama was our point guard,” she recalls of those outstanding teams.
Fast forward two decades later and Tatupu is now coaching the Farrington Governors’ girls basketball team. In just her second year at the helm, she has the Governors playing at the same championship level she realized herself in the late 1980s at Iolani.
***
Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo is no stranger to pressure.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
this girl can dunk
Brittney Griner can dunk.
Not one of those just-above-the-rim throw-downs that have long been accepted as the best a woman can do in games of the past. When the 6-foot-8 high school senior dunks, it can be a rim-rattling, backboard shaking, two-handed slam.
Simply put, she dunks like a guy.
"It was overwhelming, obviously, the first time I did it and I just wanted to do it more and more," she said.
Add this athleticism to her speed, blocking and rebounding prowess and it's easy to see how Griner has become more than simply a top recruit, but someone who might be able to transform the women's game.
Griner, who signed with Baylor, is the top player in the country according to Rivals.com and ESPN's HoopGurlz.
"I've been doing this a long time ... but I've never seen anything like Brittney Griner," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said.
Not one of those just-above-the-rim throw-downs that have long been accepted as the best a woman can do in games of the past. When the 6-foot-8 high school senior dunks, it can be a rim-rattling, backboard shaking, two-handed slam.
Simply put, she dunks like a guy.
"It was overwhelming, obviously, the first time I did it and I just wanted to do it more and more," she said.
Add this athleticism to her speed, blocking and rebounding prowess and it's easy to see how Griner has become more than simply a top recruit, but someone who might be able to transform the women's game.
Griner, who signed with Baylor, is the top player in the country according to Rivals.com and ESPN's HoopGurlz.
"I've been doing this a long time ... but I've never seen anything like Brittney Griner," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)