BY JUDD ZULGAD MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
Mark Wilf: Sure there is interest in Favre
Mark Wilf, Vikings owner and team president, said “sure there is interest in Brett Favre but that’s part of the process in general” when asked about the quarterback today during a luncheon on the Southwest Minnesota State campus that was part of the Vikings “You made the team” community tour.
“The reality is we understand everyone’s curiosity about it,” Wilf said. “This is something that every day we are working on making our team better and we are going to evaluate every player that comes through the door and that would include Brett Favre as well. … That process continues every day and a player like Brett would be included in that evaluation. Just like any other player. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback and great competitor and ultimately you have to ask Brett Favre what his plans are. Sure there is interest in Brett Favre but that’s part of the process in general.”
Wilf was then asked about all the media attention the will-he-or-won’t-he Favre saga has drawn in the past week. ”It’s pretty crazy but people love football, people love the NFL,” Wilf said.
Here is Wilf’s entire question-and-answer session today from an earlier chat with the media on the Favre situation.
Q. Where do things stand right now between the Vikings and Favre? Are you talking? Can you give the fans an update?
A. “Clearly I’m appreciative of the fact that our fans are very interested and like I said they are very curious about the whole situation. The fact of the matter is I think with any player we have a football department, we have a head coach, Brad Childress, Rick Spielman is our head of our personnel and we go through this process with every player. We look at a variety of factors and that’s the process we are going through right now. And that’s something that’s with any player and certainly a competitor and a Hall of Fame quarterback like Brett Favre is no different than those other players in terms of that evaluation.”
Q. There has been a lot of speculation and things. Has anyone from your organization met with Favre in the last week or so for any reason?
A. “I’m not aware of any meeting but the fact is, like I say, any football personnel matters, medical matters, those types of issues are really issues that we don’t typically discuss publicly. I hope the fans and the media can appreciate that. Because that’s the right way we feel can get the best product on the field to get our ultimate goal, which is a Super Bowl championship.”
Q. Do you feel the organization owes the public, especially the Vikings fans, just some sort of where you guys stand? Whether there is interest. Whether there’s not interest. Or whether this is all speculation.
A. “Again, I’m not sure there’s any bad information. I think the reality is there is no new information to report on this matter. Certainly when there is new information about any player, or the moves that we make, the first people we share it with is the media and the fans. And there’s no new information or news to report on.”
Q. Are you able to confirm interest in Brett Favre?
A. “Certainly a player of Brett Favre’s [caliber], a Hall of Fame quarterback, with the competitiveness he has. That is a player that we would have interest as we would have in other players. But again, there is a process of evaluation, a variety of facts that go into it and that has to play itself it [out]. I defer to our coach and our personnel people to really evaluate those issues.”
Q. So you can’t confirm the report by Yahoo! Sports last Thursday that Favre had told the Vikings he was going to stay retired?
A. “What I can tell you is that type of decision is up to Brett Favre and I’ll leave it to Brett Favre to give you that type of answer.”
Q. You and your brother, Zygi, have been very supportive of your football people. Is this the type of situation where you would sign off on whatever decision is made by Childress and Spielman?
A. “We view it as a process and the ultimate [is] we are faithful in Coach Childress and Rick Spielman and our entire football staff to come up with the right evaluations and decisions with any player. Not just Brett Favre. That’s something they share with us and we have dialogue on that. But in the end we believe that there has to be a thorough process with any player and there is no difference here.”
Q. What could Favre do for ticket sales?
A. “I can tell you this. We are very excited about the roster we have and the product we have. We made the playoffs, we won the NFC North last year, we feel we have a better roster this year than we had when we left the stage back in January so we’re very excited about it. And that’s at every position. I hope the fans, I believe the fans share that excitement and we’re close. I think we are going to get to the next level this year and I’m hoping the fans come out and support us and come to the stadium. It’s a great experience.”
Q. Would there be a point where you need to move ahead with Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson as your quarterbacks and put a deadline on Favre?
A. “Again, building a football team is an ongoing process and we’re not going to make pronouncements one way or the other on any of this. But like I said before, it’s a process, it’s an evaluation. Every player, all 53 positions and our football staff, we have full faith and credit that they are going to put the best product on the field and the best players on the field. We are excited about the 2009 season.”
CHAD GREENWAY. linebacker
Q. Are players being kept in the loop at all on this Favre situation so you have an idea what is going on?
A. “There is so much going on with this in the media and it is what it is. From what we know it could be a blown up story that we don’t know anything about that may have no legs at all. What we’re going to do is stick with what we got. We havve two great quarterbacks in there with JDB [John David Booty] learning. So we have Sage [Rosenfels] and Tarvaris [Jackson] who are in there as great quarterbacks, great experienced quarterbacks who we are going to be behind. It is what it is. Unless something happens or changes there is really no speculation about it. We should move on and go on with Sage and Tarvaris like we have been.”
Q. Is there ever any point when this could become a distraction?
A. “I think last year [when the Favre rumors swirled] is a perfect example of how it won’t. Last year it didn’t become a distraction and we kind of went through the same thing during training camp, which is right at the peak time. For us, it’s like we battled through that, were NFC North champs from last year and it obviously didn’t affect us. We got off to a relatively good start so I don’t think that had any type of effect. As a player, you don’t get into any of that. If it’s somebody else’s team or your own team, you just try to do what you can do. For me I’m not going to get any better worrying about what somebody else is doing.”
Q. How about Favre’s potential leadership and what he can bring?
A. “At the same time, he’s retired a couple of times so you wonder where his loyalties lie. For us, it’s about we’re moving forward with what we’ve got here. We have a team that can obviously win at a high level and we have a team that moving forward we think can really compete for an NFC North title again and get to the championship game and hopefully further. As good as something may sound, we have a great team to play with right now and there is no sense in looking outside of what we have within our 53 [man roster].”
BEN LEBER, linebacker
Q. Are you just as in dark about alll this Favre talk?
A. “I am, I know the other players in the locker room are. Whatever happens, happens. You know how the players are. We don’t know about this stuff until it actually happens. Even players that get cut or players that sign on, it’s usually after the fact. We’re seeing it off the Internet and through the newspaper. Whatever happens, we’ll read about it probably after it happens.”
Q. What was he like to play against?
A. “He’s extremely tough. He’s savvy, he knows the reads. The guy would sometimes just laugh at us in some of the bluffs and fake blitzes that we were showing. He knew we weren’t blitzing and he knew what we were doing. From that aspect it was kind of disheartening because he’s not even falling for it. He’s tough to bring down. He’s got a lot of pocket presences and he’s a bigger guy, a strong guy than you would think. Just a natural leader and a great player.”
Q. Do you follow this stuff closely?
A. “If it was just strictly football stuff I think it would be easy to follow. But now you’re talking injuries, you’re talking flights out of Mississippi. Now, it’s becoming like, it’s such a big thing that it’s kind of hard to follow. Yahoo! Sports and you don’t know who to believe. So I just kind of stick to the meat of the story and that’s it.”
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
KAMYRON BROWN IS GOING TO TRANSFER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Head coach Ernie Kent announced that guard Kamyron Brown will transfer from the University of Oregon men's basketball program. Brown, from Anaheim, Calif., has two years of eligibility remaining.
"I sat down with Kamyron and we both agreed the best situation for him to continue his growth as a player would be in another basketball program," Kent said.
Brown played in 61 games for the Ducks, a starter in 13 of those outings. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game in two seasons at UO. Brown played as a true freshman and has a redshirt season available.
"We support him and wish him well," Kent said. "Kamyron will be allowed to continue working with our players, coaches and support staff through the end of the school year."
"I sat down with Kamyron and we both agreed the best situation for him to continue his growth as a player would be in another basketball program," Kent said.
Brown played in 61 games for the Ducks, a starter in 13 of those outings. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists per game in two seasons at UO. Brown played as a true freshman and has a redshirt season available.
"We support him and wish him well," Kent said. "Kamyron will be allowed to continue working with our players, coaches and support staff through the end of the school year."
NFHS TO ALLOW INSTANT REPLAY FOR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
From the Post and Courier
Instant replay has been approved starting next season for last-second shots in high school basketball championship games.
The rule change by the National Federation of State High School Associations allows replay for review of a shot attempt at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime, and only when the last-second shot would affect the outcome of the game.
The rule is not mandatory and leaves the decision whether to use it to each state association.
“When available, technology should be used to assist game officials and administrators in making the correct call when the outcome of the game hangs in the balance and a team has no further opportunity to overcome a critical error,” said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the basketball rules committee. “This change provides state associations that opportunity.”
The change would let officials determine whether the ball had left the shooter’s hand before time expired or whether the shot was a 2- or 3-pointer.
Approved by the federation at a recent meeting, the change was prompted by controversial finishes in 2008 championship games in South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan.
In South Carolina, Summerville beat Spartanburg, 50-48, to capture the 2008 boys Class AAAA state championship after a 75-foot desperation shot by Spartanburg, which sailed through the net after time expired, was waved off when the officials ruled it was not released in time.
The 2008 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division 1 girls basketball state championship was won by Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame over West Chester Lakota West, 69-67, following a last-second lay-up. Controversy arose as to whether or not the shot left the shooter's hand before time expired.
Finally, the result of a boys Class B semifinal game was disputed in Michigan, when Flint Powers Catholic defeated Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 66-65. After referees huddled together, it was determined that a buzzer-beater made by Forest Hills Northern was a two-point field goal, causing Northern to come up one point short. The two coaches disagreed as to whether the call was correct.
Another new rule will allow the use of a red light behind the backboard to signal the end of a quarter or overtime. If no red light is present, the audible timer’s signal will continue to be used.
The NFHS is the governing body for almost 19,000 high schools in the United States.
Instant replay has been approved starting next season for last-second shots in high school basketball championship games.
The rule change by the National Federation of State High School Associations allows replay for review of a shot attempt at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime, and only when the last-second shot would affect the outcome of the game.
The rule is not mandatory and leaves the decision whether to use it to each state association.
“When available, technology should be used to assist game officials and administrators in making the correct call when the outcome of the game hangs in the balance and a team has no further opportunity to overcome a critical error,” said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the basketball rules committee. “This change provides state associations that opportunity.”
The change would let officials determine whether the ball had left the shooter’s hand before time expired or whether the shot was a 2- or 3-pointer.
Approved by the federation at a recent meeting, the change was prompted by controversial finishes in 2008 championship games in South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan.
In South Carolina, Summerville beat Spartanburg, 50-48, to capture the 2008 boys Class AAAA state championship after a 75-foot desperation shot by Spartanburg, which sailed through the net after time expired, was waved off when the officials ruled it was not released in time.
The 2008 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division 1 girls basketball state championship was won by Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame over West Chester Lakota West, 69-67, following a last-second lay-up. Controversy arose as to whether or not the shot left the shooter's hand before time expired.
Finally, the result of a boys Class B semifinal game was disputed in Michigan, when Flint Powers Catholic defeated Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 66-65. After referees huddled together, it was determined that a buzzer-beater made by Forest Hills Northern was a two-point field goal, causing Northern to come up one point short. The two coaches disagreed as to whether the call was correct.
Another new rule will allow the use of a red light behind the backboard to signal the end of a quarter or overtime. If no red light is present, the audible timer’s signal will continue to be used.
The NFHS is the governing body for almost 19,000 high schools in the United States.
THE ST LOUIS EAGLES TOOK ON THE HOUSTON HOOPS FOR THE 17U TITLE
The St Louis Eagles took on the Houston Hoops for the 17U championship title. Houston Hoops came out and started playing in a zone defense. Both of these teams came out hungry and really got after each other.
Both of these teams looked to push the ball up the court in the first half. They wanted to get the ball out of the net and wanted to push the ball up the court.
Both of these teams went at each other in the first half. Neither of these teams was able to really get on a run.
St Louis pushed the ball and ran a motion offense in the first half. There was a good pace in the first half. It was a good tempo as both teams did look to run. St Louis used both man to man and zone defense in the first half.
Both teams were able to knock down shots in the first half. The first half was a defensive battle as both teams played both a zone and man to man defense.
At half time the score was St Louis 36 and the Houston Hoops 42.
Both of these teams came out fired up ready to play in the second half. Tarrance Brown has really played aggressive for the Eagles. He had a couple of nice no look passes to his teammates and has been able to make some shots.
Houston Hoops tried to slow the game down for a bit in the second half. As they passed the ball around the three point arch they wanted to burn as much time off the clock as they could.
Houston really came alive in the second half and they were able to hold off St Louis on a number of occasions in the second half. It was a great game to end a great weekend of basketball. Both of these teams really have done well the whole tournament. They were able to give us a great final game.
St Louis went on a run in the middle of the second half. They tied the game at 65 with 4:00 left in regulation. Houston didn’t seem to know what hit them. They seemed sluggish and for a point in the second half and that is when St Louis put it on them.
St Louis was able to go on a run to finish out the game. They rallied together and they were able to pull the game out down the stretch. But they did have a scare when Houston made a last minute run and got within two points with less than 15 seconds left.
St Louis was able to come away with the 76-75 victory in a great championship game.
I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boys Hoops. You can read his thoughts about the weekend’s events here.
Both of these teams looked to push the ball up the court in the first half. They wanted to get the ball out of the net and wanted to push the ball up the court.
Both of these teams went at each other in the first half. Neither of these teams was able to really get on a run.
St Louis pushed the ball and ran a motion offense in the first half. There was a good pace in the first half. It was a good tempo as both teams did look to run. St Louis used both man to man and zone defense in the first half.
Both teams were able to knock down shots in the first half. The first half was a defensive battle as both teams played both a zone and man to man defense.
At half time the score was St Louis 36 and the Houston Hoops 42.
Both of these teams came out fired up ready to play in the second half. Tarrance Brown has really played aggressive for the Eagles. He had a couple of nice no look passes to his teammates and has been able to make some shots.
Houston Hoops tried to slow the game down for a bit in the second half. As they passed the ball around the three point arch they wanted to burn as much time off the clock as they could.
Houston really came alive in the second half and they were able to hold off St Louis on a number of occasions in the second half. It was a great game to end a great weekend of basketball. Both of these teams really have done well the whole tournament. They were able to give us a great final game.
St Louis went on a run in the middle of the second half. They tied the game at 65 with 4:00 left in regulation. Houston didn’t seem to know what hit them. They seemed sluggish and for a point in the second half and that is when St Louis put it on them.
St Louis was able to go on a run to finish out the game. They rallied together and they were able to pull the game out down the stretch. But they did have a scare when Houston made a last minute run and got within two points with less than 15 seconds left.
St Louis was able to come away with the 76-75 victory in a great championship game.
I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boys Hoops. You can read his thoughts about the weekend’s events here.
KC PUMP AND RUN TOOK ON KC TRUTH FOR THE 16U CAMPIONSHIP
In the 16U championship game it was two Kansas teams going at each other as KC Pump and Run took on KC Truth.
KC Pump and Run looked to get the ball up the court in the early goings. Christian Kirk made some nice plays early in the game as he was able to make his shots in the early goings. Denton Koon also looked well in the first half. He was able to make some nice post moves also.
Both of these teams were able to get into their offensive patters in the first half. They each tried to outsmart each other.
The first half went up and down the court in the first half. Each team went hard at each other. Pump and Run was able to knock down some key shots in the first half. But KC Truth didn’t back down in the first half. At half time the score was Pump and Run 31 and KC Truth 25.
Pump and Run came out fired up ready to play in the second half. They really took it to the KC Truth team. The Truth team didn’t back down they knew that they had a battle on their hands and they didn’t back down.
Neither team was able to go on a run in the beginning of the second half. Kansas City Pump and Run was able to get the ball out of the basket and push the ball up the floor in transition. They went on a run in the middle of the second half.
Both of these teams played very well throughout the weekend. They provide the fans with good entertaining basketball and the championship game.
Each team went at each other in the second half. KC Truth made a run at the Pump and Run late in the game. KC Pump and Run came away with the 67-63 victory.
KC Pump and Run looked to get the ball up the court in the early goings. Christian Kirk made some nice plays early in the game as he was able to make his shots in the early goings. Denton Koon also looked well in the first half. He was able to make some nice post moves also.
Both of these teams were able to get into their offensive patters in the first half. They each tried to outsmart each other.
The first half went up and down the court in the first half. Each team went hard at each other. Pump and Run was able to knock down some key shots in the first half. But KC Truth didn’t back down in the first half. At half time the score was Pump and Run 31 and KC Truth 25.
Pump and Run came out fired up ready to play in the second half. They really took it to the KC Truth team. The Truth team didn’t back down they knew that they had a battle on their hands and they didn’t back down.
Neither team was able to go on a run in the beginning of the second half. Kansas City Pump and Run was able to get the ball out of the basket and push the ball up the floor in transition. They went on a run in the middle of the second half.
Both of these teams played very well throughout the weekend. They provide the fans with good entertaining basketball and the championship game.
Each team went at each other in the second half. KC Truth made a run at the Pump and Run late in the game. KC Pump and Run came away with the 67-63 victory.
17U SEMI FINAL GAME PUTS HOWARD PULLEY 17 BLACK AGAINTS THE ST LOUIS EAGLES
The Howard Pulley Black 17 U team went up against the St Louis Eagles. Both of these teams got out to a quick start they each wanted to try to get into their offensive sets as quick as they could. Each team did a good job trying to figure out what the other team was going.
Jordan Hughes had another good game as he was one of the leaders on the floor for the Pulley squad. He knows what is going on in the game and he knows where his teammates are supposed to be on the court.
Howard Pulleys pressure on the ball gave the Eagles some trouble. For St Louis DeVonte Ball was able to push the ball up the court. He was there point guard and he had a quick cross over.
The Eagles were able to make their shots early in the contest. Howard Pulley was not able to get there shot flowing. But like in most cases with this Pulley team they always seem to fight back. They went on a run in the later part of the first half.
Pulley looked to get the ball up the court and push the ball and score quick buckets in transition. The first half has been all up and down. Both teams went after each other playing a very physical style of play on both ends of the court.
The score at half time was St Louis Eagles 42 and Howard Pulley Panthers Black 30.
Howard Pulley started out playing strong man to man defense in the second half. St Louis came out and played man to man defense in the second half.
Pulley also tried to spread the ball out around the court and tried to get the ball around the three point arch.
St Louis also trapped the ball in the second half that also gave Pulley difficulties. St Louis was able to control the tempo of the game. Pulley was not able to get there shots to fall for a majority of the game. The Pulley guys did not give up. They fought hard the whole game.
Pulley was able to make a little bit of a run at the Eagles in the second half. Both teams kept on fighting in the second half.
Pulley played a great game in the end they just came up short. St Louis played a great game. They were able to slow the Pulley team down and St Louis was able to come away with the 76-69 victory over the Howard Pulley Black squad.
Jordan Hughes had another good game as he was one of the leaders on the floor for the Pulley squad. He knows what is going on in the game and he knows where his teammates are supposed to be on the court.
Howard Pulleys pressure on the ball gave the Eagles some trouble. For St Louis DeVonte Ball was able to push the ball up the court. He was there point guard and he had a quick cross over.
The Eagles were able to make their shots early in the contest. Howard Pulley was not able to get there shot flowing. But like in most cases with this Pulley team they always seem to fight back. They went on a run in the later part of the first half.
Pulley looked to get the ball up the court and push the ball and score quick buckets in transition. The first half has been all up and down. Both teams went after each other playing a very physical style of play on both ends of the court.
The score at half time was St Louis Eagles 42 and Howard Pulley Panthers Black 30.
Howard Pulley started out playing strong man to man defense in the second half. St Louis came out and played man to man defense in the second half.
Pulley also tried to spread the ball out around the court and tried to get the ball around the three point arch.
St Louis also trapped the ball in the second half that also gave Pulley difficulties. St Louis was able to control the tempo of the game. Pulley was not able to get there shots to fall for a majority of the game. The Pulley guys did not give up. They fought hard the whole game.
Pulley was able to make a little bit of a run at the Eagles in the second half. Both teams kept on fighting in the second half.
Pulley played a great game in the end they just came up short. St Louis played a great game. They were able to slow the Pulley team down and St Louis was able to come away with the 76-69 victory over the Howard Pulley Black squad.
HOWARD PULLEY BLACK 17U TOOK ON THE CHICAGO DEMONS
The Howard Pulley Black team took on the Chicago Demons. Howard Pulley started out playing zone defense. The Demons were trying to look inside for the scoring options. The Demons started playing in a zone defense. They wanted to try to shut down the Pulley shooters.
Seantrel Henderson played hard in the first half. He was mostly camped out in the low block where he has shined all weekend long. For an athlete of his size he can really move and get up and down the court. He is a big man because he is also a top football player in the nation. He is listed at 6’ 8” and has a wide body.
Both of these teams looked to push the ball up the court. Pulley did a good job of spreading the ball out on the offensive end. Both of these teams went at each other in the first half.
Jordan Hughes has stepped up and played well in the first half. He is Howard Pulleys quick guard. Throughout the tournament he has not been afraid to go after bigger and stronger guys. He knows the court and is a determined player. He will not back down from any challenge.
The first half both teams were evenly matched. Both teams were able to get after each other and neither of them backed down.
At half time the score was Howard Pulley Black 20 and The Chicago Demons 19.
Pulley stared the second half shooting jump shots. They wanted to see if they could get there three point shots to fall in the second half.
Both teams went at each other in the second half. The game was a hard fought contest the whole game. Pulley continued to play good aggressive defense in the second half. Cedric Martin has done a good job at directing traffic on the court. He has let his teammates know where to go on the floor.
This contest was very close neither team was able to go on a run throughout the game. It was also a low scoring game as well. It would be a defensive battle by both teams.
Howard Pulley looked to burn as much time off the clock as they could in the later part of the game. Howard Pulley was able to come away with the 38-35 victory.
Seantrel Henderson played hard in the first half. He was mostly camped out in the low block where he has shined all weekend long. For an athlete of his size he can really move and get up and down the court. He is a big man because he is also a top football player in the nation. He is listed at 6’ 8” and has a wide body.
Both of these teams looked to push the ball up the court. Pulley did a good job of spreading the ball out on the offensive end. Both of these teams went at each other in the first half.
Jordan Hughes has stepped up and played well in the first half. He is Howard Pulleys quick guard. Throughout the tournament he has not been afraid to go after bigger and stronger guys. He knows the court and is a determined player. He will not back down from any challenge.
The first half both teams were evenly matched. Both teams were able to get after each other and neither of them backed down.
At half time the score was Howard Pulley Black 20 and The Chicago Demons 19.
Pulley stared the second half shooting jump shots. They wanted to see if they could get there three point shots to fall in the second half.
Both teams went at each other in the second half. The game was a hard fought contest the whole game. Pulley continued to play good aggressive defense in the second half. Cedric Martin has done a good job at directing traffic on the court. He has let his teammates know where to go on the floor.
This contest was very close neither team was able to go on a run throughout the game. It was also a low scoring game as well. It would be a defensive battle by both teams.
Howard Pulley looked to burn as much time off the clock as they could in the later part of the game. Howard Pulley was able to come away with the 38-35 victory.
KC PUMP AND RUN TOOK ON WISCONSIN PLAYGROUND IN THE 16U DIVISION
The first game in the championship Sunday at the Howard Pulley Sables Invitational it was KC Pump and Run taking on the Wisconsin Playground.
KC Pump and Run started in a man to man defense to open the game out. They looked to push the ball up the court.
For KC Pump and Run one of the players that have gotten a lot of national attention is Evan Manning. He is the son of Danny Manning who is in the building watching his son play.
Wisconsin Playground was able to make some quick baskets in the early goings. They were able to hit the shots that they put up in the first half.
Kansas City didn’t give up in the first half they continued to put pursuer on the Wisconsin Playground players.
Jalonie Parks Wisconsin Playground guard played very hard. He has some nice ball handling skills. He has good ball control and was able to dribble past his defenders. On the defensive end he was able to put on constant pressure on all of the time.
At the half the score was KC Pump and Run 22 and Wisconsin Playground 33.
Wisconsin Playground came out and started playing man to man defense in the second half. They wanted to get a jump and put way this KC Pump and Run team for good.
KC Pump and Run went on a little run midway through the second half. Both of these teams went after each other the whole game. AJ Spenser came up with some nice plays in the second half. He is a smart ball player that makes good decisions on the floor.
This game got really intense there was a pushing and shoving match that took place with 3:00 left to go in the contest with Wisconsin Playground leading 61-50. There was a hard foul committed by both teams and that lead to a pushing batch between both teams. Both of the benches cleared and the coaches were holding the players back. After a hard foul there were offsetting technical’s and the game resumed.
In a very physical game the Wisconsin Playground was able to hold on for the 65-49 victory.
KC Pump and Run started in a man to man defense to open the game out. They looked to push the ball up the court.
For KC Pump and Run one of the players that have gotten a lot of national attention is Evan Manning. He is the son of Danny Manning who is in the building watching his son play.
Wisconsin Playground was able to make some quick baskets in the early goings. They were able to hit the shots that they put up in the first half.
Kansas City didn’t give up in the first half they continued to put pursuer on the Wisconsin Playground players.
Jalonie Parks Wisconsin Playground guard played very hard. He has some nice ball handling skills. He has good ball control and was able to dribble past his defenders. On the defensive end he was able to put on constant pressure on all of the time.
At the half the score was KC Pump and Run 22 and Wisconsin Playground 33.
Wisconsin Playground came out and started playing man to man defense in the second half. They wanted to get a jump and put way this KC Pump and Run team for good.
KC Pump and Run went on a little run midway through the second half. Both of these teams went after each other the whole game. AJ Spenser came up with some nice plays in the second half. He is a smart ball player that makes good decisions on the floor.
This game got really intense there was a pushing and shoving match that took place with 3:00 left to go in the contest with Wisconsin Playground leading 61-50. There was a hard foul committed by both teams and that lead to a pushing batch between both teams. Both of the benches cleared and the coaches were holding the players back. After a hard foul there were offsetting technical’s and the game resumed.
In a very physical game the Wisconsin Playground was able to hold on for the 65-49 victory.
HOWARD PULLEY BLACK TOOK ON THE ECI ELITE
Howard Pulley took on ECI Elite. Pulley was able to come out of the gates fast at the start of this game. They were able to make shots early. Pulley was able to get the ball out of the basket and push the ball up the court in the early goings.
Throughout the first half Pulley looked to push the ball up the court. They really get the offense started in the back court.
ECI didn’t back down they were also was able to make some shots in the early goings. Pulley went on a run late in the first half. They were able to just make baskets with ease.
At half time the score was Howard Pulley 45 and ECI 35.
As the second half got underway both teams continued to look to push the ball up the court. Jacob Thomas was able to come up big and hit some nice shots in the second half for Howard Pulley.
Pulley was able to pull away in the second half. Everyones shot started clicking and they didn’t back down. Pulley continued to push the ball up the court throughout the second half.
In a game that went up and down the court the Howard Pulley Panthers Black squad was able to come away with the victory in this game.
The final of this contest was Howard Pulley Black 89 and ECI Elite 64.
Throughout the first half Pulley looked to push the ball up the court. They really get the offense started in the back court.
ECI didn’t back down they were also was able to make some shots in the early goings. Pulley went on a run late in the first half. They were able to just make baskets with ease.
At half time the score was Howard Pulley 45 and ECI 35.
As the second half got underway both teams continued to look to push the ball up the court. Jacob Thomas was able to come up big and hit some nice shots in the second half for Howard Pulley.
Pulley was able to pull away in the second half. Everyones shot started clicking and they didn’t back down. Pulley continued to push the ball up the court throughout the second half.
In a game that went up and down the court the Howard Pulley Panthers Black squad was able to come away with the victory in this game.
The final of this contest was Howard Pulley Black 89 and ECI Elite 64.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
HOWARD PULLEY BLACK TOOK ON THE ST. LOUIS EAGLES
The Saint Louis Eagles took on the Howard Pulley Black squad. This game has attracted a lot of different fans as well as media folks. St Louis started the game playing in a tough man to man defense.
Howard Pulley was able to get the ball out of the basket and was able to push the ball up the court. Pulley picked up half court on the defensive end. St Louis ran a motion offense. Everyone knows where they are supposed to be on the court and goes to that spot. St Louis was able to detect that in the early goings.
Seantrel Henderson played really well in the first half. He was able to make some nice post moves in the low block.
Marcus Williams had a nice first half. He was able to make some nice shots in the right times. He was able to make some nice passes in congestion. He looked comfortable and he made smart choices on the court.
Both of these teams went back and forth in the first half. It was an entering first half at half time the score was 41-26 Pulley was ahead.
As the second half got underway both teams came out ready to play. Pulley continued their good play from everyone. They looked poised and they wanted this victory.
St. Louis also came out and they played tough. Terrance Brown had a solid game. He was able to knock down shots in the second half. St. Louis made a run at Pulley in the second half. They were able to knock down shots and for a period of time.
Denzell Reed played well for St Louis he was able to get his shot flowing in the second half. He played good defense in the game also.
Neither of these teams gave up in the game. St Louis’s pressure seemed to bother Pulley as they were not able to swing the ball as they wanted to.
It was a game of runs. Howard Pulley was able to go on a run mid way through the second half. Chad Calcaterra stepped up his play in the second half and really played hard. He was really going after loose balls and getting after it.
Each team played hard the whole game. Pulley was able to hold on to the hard fought victory. The final of the game was Howard Pulley 83 and St. Louis 73.
Howard Pulley was able to get the ball out of the basket and was able to push the ball up the court. Pulley picked up half court on the defensive end. St Louis ran a motion offense. Everyone knows where they are supposed to be on the court and goes to that spot. St Louis was able to detect that in the early goings.
Seantrel Henderson played really well in the first half. He was able to make some nice post moves in the low block.
Marcus Williams had a nice first half. He was able to make some nice shots in the right times. He was able to make some nice passes in congestion. He looked comfortable and he made smart choices on the court.
Both of these teams went back and forth in the first half. It was an entering first half at half time the score was 41-26 Pulley was ahead.
As the second half got underway both teams came out ready to play. Pulley continued their good play from everyone. They looked poised and they wanted this victory.
St. Louis also came out and they played tough. Terrance Brown had a solid game. He was able to knock down shots in the second half. St. Louis made a run at Pulley in the second half. They were able to knock down shots and for a period of time.
Denzell Reed played well for St Louis he was able to get his shot flowing in the second half. He played good defense in the game also.
Neither of these teams gave up in the game. St Louis’s pressure seemed to bother Pulley as they were not able to swing the ball as they wanted to.
It was a game of runs. Howard Pulley was able to go on a run mid way through the second half. Chad Calcaterra stepped up his play in the second half and really played hard. He was really going after loose balls and getting after it.
Each team played hard the whole game. Pulley was able to hold on to the hard fought victory. The final of the game was Howard Pulley 83 and St. Louis 73.
ALL IOWA ATTACK WENT UP AGAINST HOUSTON HOOPS
In the second game of the day it was All Iowa Attack going up against Houston Hoops. Both of these teams came out fired up.
All Iowa came out and made some quick shots and they gained an early lead. That didn’t stop Houston Hoops as they went on a run early in the first half. Harrison Barns came to play. He made some fantastic plays early on in the contest.
Both teams put it on each other in the early goings. Harrison Barns also showed that he has a long range jump shot as he was able to hit some three point shots in the first half.
The Huston Hoops team didn’t back down from Barns and the Attack team. They also played very well in the first half. They were diving on the ball for loose balls. They were also several ties and lead changes in the first half.
Houston Hoops used a full court press and that didn’t seem to bother the All Iowa Attack team. They were able to break the press.
This game went up and down the court in the first half. Neither team was able to make a run. Both teams played aggressively. At half time the score was All Iowa Attack 39 and Houston Hoops 33.
As the second half got underway both of these teams came out fired up ready to go. Houston did go on a run to open the second half. But that run was short lived.
Brandon Peters for Houston Hoops played well. He has one nice vertical jump he can really fly. He had a few nice slam dunks in the game. He also was the guy that they looked for emotion on the court. He really was the vocal leader on the court the Hoops team.
This game was close throughout the second half. Neither team was able to go on a run. All Iowa played a lot of zone defense in the second half. They were also able to attack the Hoops pressure.
The game was tied at 65 with 5:00 left in the contest. This game came down to the wire with each team going at the other. All Iowa was able to swing the ball around the three point arc and they were looking for Harrison Barns to make the shots. He was able to hit those shots. Houston Hoops was able to come away with the 83-81 victory. Harrison Barns ended the game with 27 points.
Harrison Barns played well in this game he continued to show why he is one of the top athletes in this tournament.
All Iowa came out and made some quick shots and they gained an early lead. That didn’t stop Houston Hoops as they went on a run early in the first half. Harrison Barns came to play. He made some fantastic plays early on in the contest.
Both teams put it on each other in the early goings. Harrison Barns also showed that he has a long range jump shot as he was able to hit some three point shots in the first half.
The Huston Hoops team didn’t back down from Barns and the Attack team. They also played very well in the first half. They were diving on the ball for loose balls. They were also several ties and lead changes in the first half.
Houston Hoops used a full court press and that didn’t seem to bother the All Iowa Attack team. They were able to break the press.
This game went up and down the court in the first half. Neither team was able to make a run. Both teams played aggressively. At half time the score was All Iowa Attack 39 and Houston Hoops 33.
As the second half got underway both of these teams came out fired up ready to go. Houston did go on a run to open the second half. But that run was short lived.
Brandon Peters for Houston Hoops played well. He has one nice vertical jump he can really fly. He had a few nice slam dunks in the game. He also was the guy that they looked for emotion on the court. He really was the vocal leader on the court the Hoops team.
This game was close throughout the second half. Neither team was able to go on a run. All Iowa played a lot of zone defense in the second half. They were also able to attack the Hoops pressure.
The game was tied at 65 with 5:00 left in the contest. This game came down to the wire with each team going at the other. All Iowa was able to swing the ball around the three point arc and they were looking for Harrison Barns to make the shots. He was able to hit those shots. Houston Hoops was able to come away with the 83-81 victory. Harrison Barns ended the game with 27 points.
Harrison Barns played well in this game he continued to show why he is one of the top athletes in this tournament.
HOWARD PULLEY BLACK 17U TOOK ON THE CHICAGO DEMONS
In the first game of the day on Saturday was the Howard Pulley Black 17U team taking on the Chicago Demons. These teams are really getting up and down the court in the early goings.
Throughout the first half the Demons switched up between zone and man to man defenses. This seemed to throw the Pulley players off but they were able to recover.
Cedric Martin played well in the first half. He was able to step up and make some key shots early in the first half. He also played good defense. He also looked to push the ball up the court. Martin usually found Marcus Williams dashing down the court and he was able to make some unbelievable passes to him and Marcus was able to finish the play with ease.
Seantrel Henderson was mostly camped out on the low block on both ends of the court. On the defensive end he was a huge force as he was grabbing rebounds like crazy. He always looked for his littler guards when he got the rebound.
At the half the score was Howard Pulley Black 17 and The Chicago Demons 17.
As the second half got underway both of these teams played very aggressively. The Chicago Demons started playing in zone to start the half out.
Cedric Martin really came alive in the second half for the Pulley team. He was able to step up and knock down shots and got into the rhythm.
Both of these teams were evenly matched. They really went at each other. This was a close game throughout the whole game. Neither team gave up. Both teams dove on the ground after loose balls. Each team really battled each other. One of the more intense battles that took place on the low block Sentrel Henderson went up and battled with Floyd Cambell for loose balls and rebounds.
In the second half The Chicago Demons came to life. They were able to knock down shots. They were also able to slow the Howard Pulley team down.
Joe Coleman also has played well in this game. He was able to come up and make some nice shots in the early going. He really looked in this game.
The second half went back and forth. Each team tried to outsmart each other. Both teams switched up defenses multiple times.
This game came down to the end and both teams played very hard and aggressive. Pulley applied the full court press late in the game. That approved to be effective as they were able to shut the Demons down late in the game.
Howard Pulley Black was able to come back and hold on to the victory. In a hard fought victory the final score was Howard Pulley Black 42 and the Chicago Demons 35.
Throughout the first half the Demons switched up between zone and man to man defenses. This seemed to throw the Pulley players off but they were able to recover.
Cedric Martin played well in the first half. He was able to step up and make some key shots early in the first half. He also played good defense. He also looked to push the ball up the court. Martin usually found Marcus Williams dashing down the court and he was able to make some unbelievable passes to him and Marcus was able to finish the play with ease.
Seantrel Henderson was mostly camped out on the low block on both ends of the court. On the defensive end he was a huge force as he was grabbing rebounds like crazy. He always looked for his littler guards when he got the rebound.
At the half the score was Howard Pulley Black 17 and The Chicago Demons 17.
As the second half got underway both of these teams played very aggressively. The Chicago Demons started playing in zone to start the half out.
Cedric Martin really came alive in the second half for the Pulley team. He was able to step up and knock down shots and got into the rhythm.
Both of these teams were evenly matched. They really went at each other. This was a close game throughout the whole game. Neither team gave up. Both teams dove on the ground after loose balls. Each team really battled each other. One of the more intense battles that took place on the low block Sentrel Henderson went up and battled with Floyd Cambell for loose balls and rebounds.
In the second half The Chicago Demons came to life. They were able to knock down shots. They were also able to slow the Howard Pulley team down.
Joe Coleman also has played well in this game. He was able to come up and make some nice shots in the early going. He really looked in this game.
The second half went back and forth. Each team tried to outsmart each other. Both teams switched up defenses multiple times.
This game came down to the end and both teams played very hard and aggressive. Pulley applied the full court press late in the game. That approved to be effective as they were able to shut the Demons down late in the game.
Howard Pulley Black was able to come back and hold on to the victory. In a hard fought victory the final score was Howard Pulley Black 42 and the Chicago Demons 35.
ALL IOWA ATTACK TOOK ON THE ILLINOIS WARRIORS
There’s a buzz in the air and it regards All Iowa Attack player Harrison Barnes. Coming into this tournament he was the talk of the tournament. He is undecided about where he wants to go to college but according to Rivals.com the University of Minnesota is very high on his list. He wears number 43 for his jersey.
The Illinois Warriors showed up right at game time. I don’t know if that was planning on the Warriors part or not but they showed up right at game time. There was a slight delay in starting the game but the game did get started.
The Warriors looked to attract the basket in the early goings of the game. Neither team was able to shoot the ball that well to open the game up. The Warriors got out to an early 6-0 lead with 13:38 left in the half.
Harrison Barns came to life later in the first half. In the first half he really looked to get his teammates into the game. He is so lanky and he knows s the court. He also has the dribble skills as a guard and he is quick enough that he can dribble his way in and out of traffic.
Both of these teams went up and down in the first half. Neither team gave the other a break. The Illinois Warriors kept pace with the All Iowa Attack team in the first half. Each team was able to keep the other one in check throughout the first half. The score went back and forth for a bit in the first half as each team put up a good fight throughout the first half.
At half time the score was The Illinois Warriors 35 and All Iowa 39.
Both teams went at each other the whole game neither team gave up the whole game. Both teams kept the game close.
The Illinois Warriors played a half court man to man defense throughout the second half. They made a run at All Iowa Attack late in the game.
All Iowa had a 1 point lead with a minute left to go in regulation. The game was tied at 72 at the end of the regulation period and they played a 3:00 over time period.
In the overtime period both teams started off where they left off shooting the ball. The Illinois Warriors were able to get a quick lead in the overtime period and All Iowa put on a run late in the over time was not able to make the comeback happen. It was a great game and Barns was the man. The final of the game was The Illinois Warriors 82 and All Iowa Attack 80.
As I sat and watched this game I had my mind on watching Harrison Barns. I did like what I saw. I can say that I am not someone that goes out and evaluates players every night of the week. I like to see a kid who the experts are saying is the top kid is and see them for myself. I do see a lot of basketball and I must say Harrison Barns is by far one of the best players that I have seen so far this AAU season. He is quick and lengthy and he can really get the ball up the court. He can easily slam dunk the basketball from like anywhere on the court it seems like. I do have to concur with the recruiting experts on this one. Harrison Barns is a top notch player who will do some major damage this summer and where ever he is recruited to play college ball.
The Illinois Warriors showed up right at game time. I don’t know if that was planning on the Warriors part or not but they showed up right at game time. There was a slight delay in starting the game but the game did get started.
The Warriors looked to attract the basket in the early goings of the game. Neither team was able to shoot the ball that well to open the game up. The Warriors got out to an early 6-0 lead with 13:38 left in the half.
Harrison Barns came to life later in the first half. In the first half he really looked to get his teammates into the game. He is so lanky and he knows s the court. He also has the dribble skills as a guard and he is quick enough that he can dribble his way in and out of traffic.
Both of these teams went up and down in the first half. Neither team gave the other a break. The Illinois Warriors kept pace with the All Iowa Attack team in the first half. Each team was able to keep the other one in check throughout the first half. The score went back and forth for a bit in the first half as each team put up a good fight throughout the first half.
At half time the score was The Illinois Warriors 35 and All Iowa 39.
Both teams went at each other the whole game neither team gave up the whole game. Both teams kept the game close.
The Illinois Warriors played a half court man to man defense throughout the second half. They made a run at All Iowa Attack late in the game.
All Iowa had a 1 point lead with a minute left to go in regulation. The game was tied at 72 at the end of the regulation period and they played a 3:00 over time period.
In the overtime period both teams started off where they left off shooting the ball. The Illinois Warriors were able to get a quick lead in the overtime period and All Iowa put on a run late in the over time was not able to make the comeback happen. It was a great game and Barns was the man. The final of the game was The Illinois Warriors 82 and All Iowa Attack 80.
As I sat and watched this game I had my mind on watching Harrison Barns. I did like what I saw. I can say that I am not someone that goes out and evaluates players every night of the week. I like to see a kid who the experts are saying is the top kid is and see them for myself. I do see a lot of basketball and I must say Harrison Barns is by far one of the best players that I have seen so far this AAU season. He is quick and lengthy and he can really get the ball up the court. He can easily slam dunk the basketball from like anywhere on the court it seems like. I do have to concur with the recruiting experts on this one. Harrison Barns is a top notch player who will do some major damage this summer and where ever he is recruited to play college ball.
HOWARD PULLEY BLACK TOOK ON ALL IOWA ATTACK IN OPENING GAME
In the opening game of the Howard Pulley Sabes Foundation tournament in the 17U division it was All Iowa Attack took on the Howard Pulley Black squad.
Both of these teams were able get the ball up and down the court throughout the first half. For Pulley Black Cedic Martin was able to provide a spark in the first half. He was able to get the ball and make some nice moves off dribble penetration.
For All Iowa in the first half Dustin Pierce looked well he was able to get out and make some quick shots early.
Seantrel Henderson for Pulley looked good in the first half. He was able to make some monster block outs in the low block.
Both teams went at each other in the first half. All Iowa played mostly zone in the first half. Howard Pulley was able to mix it up between zone and man throughout the first half.
At the half the score was Howard Pulley 37 and All Iowa Attack 23.
As the second half opened up both teams looked aggressive they were each going after each other. Pulley looked to push the ball up the court and get the ball out of the net and go in transition. All Iowa Attack wanted to try to slow the game down and play in the half court game.
This game went up and down the court in the second half. Both teams got after it but the Howard Pulley Panthers Black squad was just to handle.
These are two very good organizations and both of these teams competed very well. Both of these teams played good basketball and showed great sportsmanship throughout the whole contest.
Howard Pulley was in control from the start of the game. They didn’t back down. They kept fighting the whole game and they were able to come away with the victory. The final of the well played contest was Howard Pulley Black 74 and All Iowa Attack 50.
Both of these teams were able get the ball up and down the court throughout the first half. For Pulley Black Cedic Martin was able to provide a spark in the first half. He was able to get the ball and make some nice moves off dribble penetration.
For All Iowa in the first half Dustin Pierce looked well he was able to get out and make some quick shots early.
Seantrel Henderson for Pulley looked good in the first half. He was able to make some monster block outs in the low block.
Both teams went at each other in the first half. All Iowa played mostly zone in the first half. Howard Pulley was able to mix it up between zone and man throughout the first half.
At the half the score was Howard Pulley 37 and All Iowa Attack 23.
As the second half opened up both teams looked aggressive they were each going after each other. Pulley looked to push the ball up the court and get the ball out of the net and go in transition. All Iowa Attack wanted to try to slow the game down and play in the half court game.
This game went up and down the court in the second half. Both teams got after it but the Howard Pulley Panthers Black squad was just to handle.
These are two very good organizations and both of these teams competed very well. Both of these teams played good basketball and showed great sportsmanship throughout the whole contest.
Howard Pulley was in control from the start of the game. They didn’t back down. They kept fighting the whole game and they were able to come away with the victory. The final of the well played contest was Howard Pulley Black 74 and All Iowa Attack 50.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
MANNY RAMIREZ SUSPENDED FOR 50 GAMES
By RONALD BLUM , Associated Press
Manny Ramirez joined a growing lineup of All-Stars linked to drugs Thursday, with the dreadlocked slugger banished for 50 games by a sport that cannot shake free from scandal. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was
suspended by Major League Baseball, adding a further stamp to what will forever be known as the Steroids Era.
Manny Ramirez joined a growing lineup of All-Stars linked to drugs Thursday, with the dreadlocked slugger banished for 50 games by a sport that cannot shake free from scandal. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was
suspended by Major League Baseball, adding a further stamp to what will forever be known as the Steroids Era.
Ramirez said he did not take steroids and was given medication by a doctor that contained a banned substance. A person familiar with the details of the suspension said Ramirez used the female fertility drug HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the banned substance wasn't announced.
HCG is popular among steroid users because it can mitigate the side effects of ending a cycle of the drugs. The body may stop producing testosterone when users go off steroids, which can cause sperm counts to decrease and testicles to shrink.
Ramirez's suspension was based not on a spring training urine test result but rather evidence obtained afterward, a second person familiar with the suspension said, speaking on condition of anonymity because those details were not released. MLB had concluded the spring test was positive, but the person said the players' association would have challenged the result because of "testing issues."
Ranked 17th on the career home run list with 533, Ramirez became the most prominent baseball player to be penalized for drugs. His ban came three months after Alex Rodriguez admitted using steroids, and at a time when Barry Bonds is under federal indictment and Roger Clemens is being investigated by a federal grand jury to determine whether he lied when he told Congress he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
No matter which way baseball turns, the legitimacy of many of its recent home run and pitching records is being questioned. Sluggers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have been tainted by steroid allegations, Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for a banned drug and Jose Canseco said he used them.
In every case, players once believed to be locks for the Hall of Fame may now be locked out.
"You can't have arguably the greatest pitcher of our era, arguably the two greatest players of our era and now another very, very good player be under this cloud of suspicion and not feel like it has ruined it for everybody," Atlanta star Chipper Jones said.
"But what are you going to do? You can't be born in a different era. It is the Steroid Era," he said.
And that prompted yet another apology from another ballplayer. The 36-year-old Ramirez told the Dodgers and fans he was sorry for "this whole situation."
"Recently, I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me," Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players' union.
"Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons."
His suspension was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.
While Ramirez had little to say, Canseco, who planned a news conference Thursday night in Los Angeles, was quick to explain why someone might use HCG.
"It could be that a player used it because he used steroids and went cold-turkey and needed HCG to get his levels back to normal. I had to use it when I quit steroids cold-turkey," Canseco, who pleaded guilty last November to a misdemeanor of trying to bring HCG across the Mexican border into the United States illegally, told the AP. "I had to go to a doctor to get it and get my levels back."
Because MLB imposed the suspension as required by the drug agreement, the Dodgers cannot further discipline Ramirez.
"We share the disappointment felt by our fans, our players, and every member of our organization," Dodgers chief executive officer Jamie McCourt said in a statement. "We will welcome Manny back upon his return."
Ramirez was not mentioned in the Mitchell Report, MLB's official report on drug use, and there had not been whispers that he was among the sport's juiced players.
Rodriguez and Ramirez are the two highest-paid players in the majors. With this suspension, six of the top 17 home run hitters in history now have been covered by the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs.
"It's kind of shocking that he got caught up in anything, honestly. Manny likes to play stupid, but he's a pretty bright guy. And he's definitely aware of a lot of things that he tries to act like he's completely oblivious to," said Cincinnati pitcher Bronson Arroyo, Ramirez's former Boston teammate.
Baseball added HCG to its list of banned substances last year. HCG is prescribed to stimulate female fertility and testosterone production in men and to treat delayed puberty in boys.
"It's not infrequently part of the mix of the poly-drug approach to doping," said Dr. Gary Wadler, chairman of the committee that determines the banned-substances list for the World Anti-Doping Agency. "It typically is used most when people are coming off a cycle to restore to normal biophysiological feedback mechanisms."
Reaction to Ramirez's ban came swiftly, from major league clubhouses to the White House.
"It's a tragedy. It's a shame. My sense is, it's a great embarrassment on Major League Baseball," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
The penalty left the best team in the majors without its driving force and free spirit for nearly one-third of the season.
Ramirez's suspension began Thursday. Barring any postponements, he will be able to return to the Dodgers for the July 3 game at San Diego. Ramirez will lose $7,650,273 of his $25 million salary.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig couldn't comment on the suspension because of provisions of the management-union drug agreement, spokesman Rich Levin said.
Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, and the players' association had gathered materials for a possible appeal to an arbitrator, but Ramirez decided not to file one because he didn't want to risk missing significant time in the second half of the season, the person familiar with details of the suspension said. The union said merely that he waived his right to contest the suspension.
Ramirez is batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs through the first 27 games of the season.
His suspension comes a day after the Dodgers broke the modern major league record for a home winning streak, opening the season 13-0. They play Washington again Thursday night.
Losing Ramirez to suspension could be a huge blow financially for the Dodgers. The slugger has been single-handedly responsible for increasing attendance, merchandise sales and interest in the team, in addition to helping it win the NL West after his late-season arrival in 2008.
Los Angeles even renamed a section of seats in left field at Dodger Stadium "Mannywood" in his honor. Hours after the suspension, the team removed a reference to those seats from its Web site.
Ramirez's suspension came a day before Rodriguez was likely to rejoin the New York Yankees. Rodriguez has been on the disabled list since having hip surgery.
In his statement, Ramirez addressed Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, and manager Joe Torre.
"I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans," Ramirez said. "LA is a special place to me, and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."
Ramirez became the fourth player suspended this year under the major league program, following Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero, Yankees pitcher Sergio Mitre and San Francisco pitcher Kelvin Pichardo.
No doubt whose name was the most jarring.
In St. Louis, a clubhouse attendant stuck his head into manager Tony La Russa's office and said, "Manny Ramirez, 50 games, steroids."
La Russa's reaction: "You're kidding me."
BRETT FAVRE TO STAY RETIRED
By Rick Schwartz Yahoo Sports
The Minnesota Vikings will not sign free-agent quarterback Brett Favre(notes), a source close to the team told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.
In a phone call that took place sometime in the last day, the source said Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he wanted to remain retired. Favre is expected to publicly explain his decision soon.
Favre, who announced his first retirement in March 2008 after spending 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, decided to resume his career last summer and was traded to the New York Jets in August. After one season in New York, Favre retired again and was subsequently released by the Jets on April 29.
Just days after his release from the Jets, speculation began that the Vikings were interested in bringing in a veteran to compete with Sage Rosenfels(notes), who was acquired this offseason from the Houston Texans. Rosenfels is atop the depth chart heading into training camp, with Tarvaris Jackson and John David Booty(notes) also on the roster.
The Minnesota Vikings will not sign free-agent quarterback Brett Favre(notes), a source close to the team told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday.
In a phone call that took place sometime in the last day, the source said Favre told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he wanted to remain retired. Favre is expected to publicly explain his decision soon.
Favre, who announced his first retirement in March 2008 after spending 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, decided to resume his career last summer and was traded to the New York Jets in August. After one season in New York, Favre retired again and was subsequently released by the Jets on April 29.
Just days after his release from the Jets, speculation began that the Vikings were interested in bringing in a veteran to compete with Sage Rosenfels(notes), who was acquired this offseason from the Houston Texans. Rosenfels is atop the depth chart heading into training camp, with Tarvaris Jackson and John David Booty(notes) also on the roster.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
DOMINIQUE MONTEL BYRD SAYS HE'S CHANGED
By DARREN URBAN
With his first chance to show he is serious, Dominique Byrd showed up early.
The veteran tight end was at the Cardinals’ facility for the first shift of Tuesday’s voluntary workouts, his initial shot at working under strength and conditioning coach John Lott since earning a one-year contract following his mini camp tryout. It might have not been something Byrd had done in his previous NFL incarnation, but he insists he is different now.
Byrd was a third-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2006, part of the star-studded USC team that produced Reggie Bush and his new Cardinals teammates Matt Leinart and Deuce Lutui. But Byrd fizzled as a pro, getting into trouble both with his team and off the field, until the Rams had enough.
Byrd was cut by the Rams last offseason, and sat out all of 2008. He is no longer the star tight end from the Trojans’ powerhouse offense. Now he is one of many at the bottom of the Cardinals’ roster hoping he can stick there by the time September arrives.
Dominique Byrd walks out to a minicamp practice last weekend.“It does make you appreciate it more, when the game you love is, I don’t want to say taken away from me because I made mistakes, but it was just a maturing period,” Byrd said after his workout. “I really love the game.
“The hardest part was making sure I was working out every day. I have had to work and pray at keeping focused, knowing another opportunity would come up and I would need to be ready for it. That’s all I am trying to let the Cardinals know, let the rest of the league know, the mistakes I made were just that.”
The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder had just six receptions in his two seasons in St. Louis, which became much more memorable for his problems than his production.
“You have responsibilities as a draft pick and being a professional,” Byrd said. “It was well-documented that I didn’t take care of that the way I should have.”
With the Rams, Byrd got in trouble for falling asleep in team meetings and once missed a team charter to a game. Off the field, Byrd was arrested for a DUI and also arrested after a bar fight. Those things are in his past, Byrd said (The Cardinals said Byrd has no pending discipline from the NFL from either off-field incident) after he realized he needed to grow up.
Now Byrd just wants to work out every day and hang around the facility “being a good dude,” letting the coaches know how much he wants to make the team.
That’s certainly no given. He is the sixth tight end on the roster, joining Stephen Spach, Ben Patrick, Leonard Pope, Anthony Becht and Alex Shor. In some ways, he has more to prove than any of them.
It can be hard to mature in the NFL, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, “depending on where you are and the support group you have around you, because some places are more difficult than others. When I got in, I was pretty chill. I didn’t do much. Some guys, they like to go out and things happen, you know what I mean?”
But Fitzgerald sees Byrd’s potential. The two have known each other for years, born just one year apart and both among the most prolific pass catchers in Minnesota high school history. Fitzgerald told Byrd he could stay at Fitzgerald’s house while he tried to make the team.
“It’s nice he has the opportunity,” Fitzgerald said.
That’s all Byrd is getting, and that’s all Byrd is expecting. He’d like to provide a different ending to his NFL story himself.
“The mistakes I made,” Byrd said, “aren’t going to define me.”
With his first chance to show he is serious, Dominique Byrd showed up early.
The veteran tight end was at the Cardinals’ facility for the first shift of Tuesday’s voluntary workouts, his initial shot at working under strength and conditioning coach John Lott since earning a one-year contract following his mini camp tryout. It might have not been something Byrd had done in his previous NFL incarnation, but he insists he is different now.
Byrd was a third-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2006, part of the star-studded USC team that produced Reggie Bush and his new Cardinals teammates Matt Leinart and Deuce Lutui. But Byrd fizzled as a pro, getting into trouble both with his team and off the field, until the Rams had enough.
Byrd was cut by the Rams last offseason, and sat out all of 2008. He is no longer the star tight end from the Trojans’ powerhouse offense. Now he is one of many at the bottom of the Cardinals’ roster hoping he can stick there by the time September arrives.
Dominique Byrd walks out to a minicamp practice last weekend.“It does make you appreciate it more, when the game you love is, I don’t want to say taken away from me because I made mistakes, but it was just a maturing period,” Byrd said after his workout. “I really love the game.
“The hardest part was making sure I was working out every day. I have had to work and pray at keeping focused, knowing another opportunity would come up and I would need to be ready for it. That’s all I am trying to let the Cardinals know, let the rest of the league know, the mistakes I made were just that.”
The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder had just six receptions in his two seasons in St. Louis, which became much more memorable for his problems than his production.
“You have responsibilities as a draft pick and being a professional,” Byrd said. “It was well-documented that I didn’t take care of that the way I should have.”
With the Rams, Byrd got in trouble for falling asleep in team meetings and once missed a team charter to a game. Off the field, Byrd was arrested for a DUI and also arrested after a bar fight. Those things are in his past, Byrd said (The Cardinals said Byrd has no pending discipline from the NFL from either off-field incident) after he realized he needed to grow up.
Now Byrd just wants to work out every day and hang around the facility “being a good dude,” letting the coaches know how much he wants to make the team.
That’s certainly no given. He is the sixth tight end on the roster, joining Stephen Spach, Ben Patrick, Leonard Pope, Anthony Becht and Alex Shor. In some ways, he has more to prove than any of them.
It can be hard to mature in the NFL, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, “depending on where you are and the support group you have around you, because some places are more difficult than others. When I got in, I was pretty chill. I didn’t do much. Some guys, they like to go out and things happen, you know what I mean?”
But Fitzgerald sees Byrd’s potential. The two have known each other for years, born just one year apart and both among the most prolific pass catchers in Minnesota high school history. Fitzgerald told Byrd he could stay at Fitzgerald’s house while he tried to make the team.
“It’s nice he has the opportunity,” Fitzgerald said.
That’s all Byrd is getting, and that’s all Byrd is expecting. He’d like to provide a different ending to his NFL story himself.
“The mistakes I made,” Byrd said, “aren’t going to define me.”
STEVEN’S SPORTS REPORT TO COVER THE HOWARD PULLEY SABES INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
I will be covering one of the top Minnesota prep basketball tournaments this weekend. Every year some of the top boy’s high school basketball talent from across the country. The Howard Pulley Panthers are hosting the Sabes Invitational tournament this weekend at Bloomington Jefferson High School.
I will have recaps on some of the action at the conclusion of each day of the tournament.
MINNESOTA NATIVE DOMINIQUE MONTEL BYRD SIGNS WITH THE ARIZONA CARDINALS
Dominique Montel Byrd who played his high school football at Breck High School in Golden Valley has signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Dominique was first signed in the NFL by the St Louis Rams in the third round in the 2006 Draft.
He sat out last season.
UNI TO FACE DEPAUL IN FIRST ROUND OF 2009 USVI PARADISE JAM
The University of Northern Iowa men’s basketball team will face DePaul from the Big East Conference in the first round of the 2009 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, to be held Nov. 20-23, 2009, at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, USVI.
UNI and DePaul will square off in the tournament’s first game, to be held at Noon (Iowa time) on Friday, Nov. 20. The Panthers will face either Tennessee or East Carolina in their second game. The other two first round match ups are Saint Joseph’s (Pa.) versus Boston College, and Purdue against South Dakota State. Purdue, Tennessee, Boston College and UNI each advanced to the NCAA tournament this past March.
The losing teams from the first day’s action will meet in the consolation semifinals on Nov. 21, with the four winning teams meeting in the championship semifinals on Nov. 22. All eight teams will play on Nov. 23, culminating with the championship game that night at 7:30 pm (CST).
Now in its 10th year, the Paradise Jam is annually one of college basketball’s premier early-season neutral-site tournaments. Last year, Connecticut defeated Wisconsin for the Paradise Jam championship. All games will be played at the state-of-the-art University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and at least four of the games will be broadcast nationally by Fox Sports.
UNI returns all five starters and seven of its top eight scorers from last year’s team that finished 23-11 overall and earned both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships, while making its fourth NCAA tournament appearance in the past six years.
2009 Paradise Jam Schedule – All times Central Standard Time
Friday, Nov. 20
Game 1 – UNI vs. DePaul, Noon
Game 2 – Tennessee vs. East Carolina, 2:30 pm
Game 3 – Boston College vs. Saint Joseph’s, 5 pm
Game 4 – Purdue vs. South Dakota State, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 21
Game 5 – Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 5 pm
Game 6 – Loser G3 vs. Loser G4, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov. 22
Game 7 – Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 5 pm
Game 8 – Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 7:30 pm
Monday, Nov. 23
Game 9 – Loser G5 vs. Loser G6, Noon
Game 10 – Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 2:30 pm
Game 11 – Loser G7 vs. vs. Loser G8, 5 pm
Game 12 – Winner G7 vs. Winner G8, 7:30 pm
UNI and DePaul will square off in the tournament’s first game, to be held at Noon (Iowa time) on Friday, Nov. 20. The Panthers will face either Tennessee or East Carolina in their second game. The other two first round match ups are Saint Joseph’s (Pa.) versus Boston College, and Purdue against South Dakota State. Purdue, Tennessee, Boston College and UNI each advanced to the NCAA tournament this past March.
The losing teams from the first day’s action will meet in the consolation semifinals on Nov. 21, with the four winning teams meeting in the championship semifinals on Nov. 22. All eight teams will play on Nov. 23, culminating with the championship game that night at 7:30 pm (CST).
Now in its 10th year, the Paradise Jam is annually one of college basketball’s premier early-season neutral-site tournaments. Last year, Connecticut defeated Wisconsin for the Paradise Jam championship. All games will be played at the state-of-the-art University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and at least four of the games will be broadcast nationally by Fox Sports.
UNI returns all five starters and seven of its top eight scorers from last year’s team that finished 23-11 overall and earned both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships, while making its fourth NCAA tournament appearance in the past six years.
2009 Paradise Jam Schedule – All times Central Standard Time
Friday, Nov. 20
Game 1 – UNI vs. DePaul, Noon
Game 2 – Tennessee vs. East Carolina, 2:30 pm
Game 3 – Boston College vs. Saint Joseph’s, 5 pm
Game 4 – Purdue vs. South Dakota State, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 21
Game 5 – Loser G1 vs. Loser G2, 5 pm
Game 6 – Loser G3 vs. Loser G4, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov. 22
Game 7 – Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 5 pm
Game 8 – Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 7:30 pm
Monday, Nov. 23
Game 9 – Loser G5 vs. Loser G6, Noon
Game 10 – Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 2:30 pm
Game 11 – Loser G7 vs. vs. Loser G8, 5 pm
Game 12 – Winner G7 vs. Winner G8, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY DISMISSES FOOTBALL PLAYERS
ND State Football Dismisses Schultenover, Blincoe Leaves Team North Dakota State University head football coach Craig Bohl announced today that wide receiver Jordan Schultenover has been dismissed from the team for violation of team rules and that running back Pete Blincoe has left the team.
Schultenover, a 6-foot-3, 209-pound senior from Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins H.S.), started in two of nine games played last season. He caught 12 passes for 205 yards and three TDs. Schultenover had six touchdowns in 19 career receptions.
Blincoe, a 5-foot-7, 182-pound junior from Imperial, Calif. (Imperial H.S.), missed the 2008 season with a knee injury. He rushed for 696 yards and eight TDs on 139 carries in 19 career games. Blincoe had two 100-yard rushing games for NDSU.
North Dakota State is scheduled to hold its annual Green-Gold Spring Scrimmage at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in the Fargodome.The Bison open the season at Iowa State on Sept. 3. NDSU completed the 2008 season with a 6-5 record including a 4-4 mark to tie for fourth-place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Schultenover, a 6-foot-3, 209-pound senior from Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins H.S.), started in two of nine games played last season. He caught 12 passes for 205 yards and three TDs. Schultenover had six touchdowns in 19 career receptions.
Blincoe, a 5-foot-7, 182-pound junior from Imperial, Calif. (Imperial H.S.), missed the 2008 season with a knee injury. He rushed for 696 yards and eight TDs on 139 carries in 19 career games. Blincoe had two 100-yard rushing games for NDSU.
North Dakota State is scheduled to hold its annual Green-Gold Spring Scrimmage at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in the Fargodome.The Bison open the season at Iowa State on Sept. 3. NDSU completed the 2008 season with a 6-5 record including a 4-4 mark to tie for fourth-place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
BRETT FAVRE TALKS ABOUT A RETURN TO FOOTBALL
BY Chip Scoggins MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that Vikings coach Brad Childress will meet with Brett Favre at an undisclosed location this week. Here is the report.
According to the report, the two are going to discuss whether Favre wants to come out of retirement and join the Vikings this season and that Favre will make a decision soon afterward. Werder writes that the team wants Favre to participate in offseason minicamps.
Childress left open the possibility of Favre joining the team when asked about it during the rookie minicamp this past weekend. Childress said the team had not discussed it but probably would do so.
The biggest issue is Favre’s health, specifically his right arm. Werder wrote that Favre has not been working out and did not have surgery on his torn biceps tendon, which caused his production to drop dramatically at the end of last season with the Jets. Favre apparently believes the injury can heal without surgery.
ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that Vikings coach Brad Childress will meet with Brett Favre at an undisclosed location this week. Here is the report.
According to the report, the two are going to discuss whether Favre wants to come out of retirement and join the Vikings this season and that Favre will make a decision soon afterward. Werder writes that the team wants Favre to participate in offseason minicamps.
Childress left open the possibility of Favre joining the team when asked about it during the rookie minicamp this past weekend. Childress said the team had not discussed it but probably would do so.
The biggest issue is Favre’s health, specifically his right arm. Werder wrote that Favre has not been working out and did not have surgery on his torn biceps tendon, which caused his production to drop dramatically at the end of last season with the Jets. Favre apparently believes the injury can heal without surgery.
THREE BASKETBALL PLAYERS COMMITT TO CONCORDIA ST PAUL FOR THE 2009-2010 SEASON
Concordia University head men's basketball coach Kelly Boe has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the squad for the upcoming 2009-10 season. All three will be freshmen next year, Maurice Hernandez (West St. Paul, Minn.) of Sibley High School, Taylor Steinbauer of Owatonna High School and Isaiah Thomas from Fridley High School.
Hernandez is a 6-3, 195 pound guard that helped the Warriors reach the MSHSL Class 4A State Tournament two years in a row as a junior and senior. He was one of the scoring leaders on the squad, averaging 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He earned All-Conference honors and is a three-time letterwinner.
Steinbauer brings size to the Concordia front court. A 6-8, 225 post player, Steinbauer led the Huskies in field goal pct. and led them to the section title game three years in a row. He earned four letters at Owatonna and the awards came along with it. Steinbauer was an All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior and a two-time All-Big 9 First Team Selection. He was selected to play in the MBCA All-Star game as well. He was a member of Big 9 Championship runs as a freshman and sophomore.
Thomas is a long, athletic wing at 6-6, 195 and can play either the two or the three. Playing a position most often relied on for points, Thomas does just that. He is a member of Fridley's 1,000 point club and is the all-time scoring leader for the Tigers. He holds the record for most points in a season and his 50 point outburst set a new single game scoring record. At 6-6, he can also shoot with range, nailing eight three-pointers in a game to tie a school mark. As a senior, Thomas scored 24.0 points per game while shooting 62.0% from the floor and 47.0% from long distance. Thomas first earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore before being an outright selection as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was also an All-Metro Third Team pick and an AP All-State Honorable Mention selection. He is a two-time team MVP for the Tigers, earning three letters in basketball and in weightlifting. Off the court, he was chosen as a Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State selection.
Hernandez is a 6-3, 195 pound guard that helped the Warriors reach the MSHSL Class 4A State Tournament two years in a row as a junior and senior. He was one of the scoring leaders on the squad, averaging 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He earned All-Conference honors and is a three-time letterwinner.
Steinbauer brings size to the Concordia front court. A 6-8, 225 post player, Steinbauer led the Huskies in field goal pct. and led them to the section title game three years in a row. He earned four letters at Owatonna and the awards came along with it. Steinbauer was an All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior and a two-time All-Big 9 First Team Selection. He was selected to play in the MBCA All-Star game as well. He was a member of Big 9 Championship runs as a freshman and sophomore.
Thomas is a long, athletic wing at 6-6, 195 and can play either the two or the three. Playing a position most often relied on for points, Thomas does just that. He is a member of Fridley's 1,000 point club and is the all-time scoring leader for the Tigers. He holds the record for most points in a season and his 50 point outburst set a new single game scoring record. At 6-6, he can also shoot with range, nailing eight three-pointers in a game to tie a school mark. As a senior, Thomas scored 24.0 points per game while shooting 62.0% from the floor and 47.0% from long distance. Thomas first earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore before being an outright selection as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was also an All-Metro Third Team pick and an AP All-State Honorable Mention selection. He is a two-time team MVP for the Tigers, earning three letters in basketball and in weightlifting. Off the court, he was chosen as a Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State selection.
Monday, May 4, 2009
LEBRON JAMES NAMED MVP OF THE NBA
BY The ASSOCIATED PRESS
On one of the biggest days of his life, LeBron James took the long way home. Once inside his hometown's city limits, James pulled his high-powered Ferrari off I-77 and drove the back roads to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, his alma mater.
Turning on Maple Street, he went past his first house on Hickory. Then, it was past the one on Silver Street, where his mother, Gloria, began raising him by herself. James visited The Boondocks, where he and his friends first dribbled on the playgrounds.
James retraced the steps on Monday. His path to NBA superstardom.
An unstoppable offensive force who became an elite defender this season, James claimed the league MVP, receiving the award in the gym where he first became a star.
"This is a place where all my dreams started and where I thought they could become real," James said. "There's really not a better place."
The Ohio kid anointed King James as a teenager has a new crown.
An MVP vote some expected to be close was another slam dunk by James. He received 109 of a possible 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. James totaled 1,172 points in balloting by media members in the U.S. and Canada.
Bryant, last year's winner, got two first-place votes and finished with 698 points. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was third with 680 points and was named first on seven ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard (328) was fourth followed by New Orleans guard Chris Paul (192).
The race was never in doubt. It was James all along.
"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," he said, standing under three state title banners he helped win for the Fighting Irish. "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."
James is the first Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro. He also finished second in voting for defensive player of the year, making him perhaps the league's most dominant two-way player since Michael Jordan.
Along with a trophy, James was given a new car, which he donated to a local charity.
After learning he won, James knew he wanted to share it with family and friends. He knew there was only one place to do it: At his beloved St. V., the school where he was a high school phenom.
As James — who got a police escort for the final miles — drove up about an hour before the ceremony in his metallic gray $225,000 car with W1TNES vanity license plates, a crowd chanting "M-V-P" rushed into the street outside the school.
The scene was more civil later when James took the stage and was serenaded by hundreds of students sitting in the same bleachers he used to.
The setting was fitting for James, who earlier this year had the words "Loyalty" and "Family" tattooed vertically along his rib cage.
In the past, the MVP trophy has been presented at team practice facilities or arenas. But James wanted a special location.
League spokesman Brian McIntyre said the intimate ceremony was unlike any before.
"When he heard what LeBron wanted to do, we gave it about a second's thought, and said that's a great idea," he said. "This was wonderful."
James credited his Cavaliers teammates, who attended the ceremony along with coach Mike Brown, for raising their games in Cleveland's best season ever. The Cavs went 66-16, 39-2 at home and earned the top seed in the playoffs — a franchise first.
"Individual accolades come when team success happens," James said. "You look at those 14 guys over there, I got the award because of them. They put in the work."
James invited his teammates to the podium and presented each with an expensive camera.
"This award is going to be like the both of ours, but I'm going to keep it at my house," he cracked.
At 24 years, 106 days on the final day of the regular season, James is the youngest player to win the award since Moses Malone (24 years, 16 days) in 1978-79. Wes Unseld was 23 when he won it in 1968-69.
James vied all season for MVP honors with Bryant and Wade, his teammates on the U.S. gold medalist Olympic team last summer.
"He deserved it," Wade said. "I said all year, I thought LeBron was the MVP of this league. He's a guy who every year is going to be in that conversation. ... He showed it all year, especially with his team's success."
Focused from the start, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound James sharpened his already formidable skills this season.
He started a career-high 81 games and set personal bests in field-goal (49) and free-throw (79) percentages as well as blocks (93). James became the second player to post five straight seasons of at least 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. The other is Robertson, whose versatile game is the one to which James' is most often compared.
James nearly averaged a triple-double — 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists — as the top-seeded Cavaliers breezed through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping Detroit in four games. Cleveland hosts the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 on Tuesday.
"My mission hasn't been completed," James said. "I still I have a lot of things I want to do this season. I want to have another celebration in June."
With his longtime girlfriend, Savannah, and their two sons sitting up front, James thanked his family, friends and former teammates during a touching speech. Promising not to cry, he spoke fondly of his mom, who struggled to raise her only son.
"I don't know how you did it," James said.
Better than anyone, Gloria James understood her son's trip through his old neighborhoods. "It didn't surprise me," she said. "He has never forgotten where he came from. "Soon, it was time for James to head home, a place he never left.
On one of the biggest days of his life, LeBron James took the long way home. Once inside his hometown's city limits, James pulled his high-powered Ferrari off I-77 and drove the back roads to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, his alma mater.
Turning on Maple Street, he went past his first house on Hickory. Then, it was past the one on Silver Street, where his mother, Gloria, began raising him by herself. James visited The Boondocks, where he and his friends first dribbled on the playgrounds.
James retraced the steps on Monday. His path to NBA superstardom.
An unstoppable offensive force who became an elite defender this season, James claimed the league MVP, receiving the award in the gym where he first became a star.
"This is a place where all my dreams started and where I thought they could become real," James said. "There's really not a better place."
The Ohio kid anointed King James as a teenager has a new crown.
An MVP vote some expected to be close was another slam dunk by James. He received 109 of a possible 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. James totaled 1,172 points in balloting by media members in the U.S. and Canada.
Bryant, last year's winner, got two first-place votes and finished with 698 points. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was third with 680 points and was named first on seven ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard (328) was fourth followed by New Orleans guard Chris Paul (192).
The race was never in doubt. It was James all along.
"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," he said, standing under three state title banners he helped win for the Fighting Irish. "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."
James is the first Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro. He also finished second in voting for defensive player of the year, making him perhaps the league's most dominant two-way player since Michael Jordan.
Along with a trophy, James was given a new car, which he donated to a local charity.
After learning he won, James knew he wanted to share it with family and friends. He knew there was only one place to do it: At his beloved St. V., the school where he was a high school phenom.
As James — who got a police escort for the final miles — drove up about an hour before the ceremony in his metallic gray $225,000 car with W1TNES vanity license plates, a crowd chanting "M-V-P" rushed into the street outside the school.
The scene was more civil later when James took the stage and was serenaded by hundreds of students sitting in the same bleachers he used to.
The setting was fitting for James, who earlier this year had the words "Loyalty" and "Family" tattooed vertically along his rib cage.
In the past, the MVP trophy has been presented at team practice facilities or arenas. But James wanted a special location.
League spokesman Brian McIntyre said the intimate ceremony was unlike any before.
"When he heard what LeBron wanted to do, we gave it about a second's thought, and said that's a great idea," he said. "This was wonderful."
James credited his Cavaliers teammates, who attended the ceremony along with coach Mike Brown, for raising their games in Cleveland's best season ever. The Cavs went 66-16, 39-2 at home and earned the top seed in the playoffs — a franchise first.
"Individual accolades come when team success happens," James said. "You look at those 14 guys over there, I got the award because of them. They put in the work."
James invited his teammates to the podium and presented each with an expensive camera.
"This award is going to be like the both of ours, but I'm going to keep it at my house," he cracked.
At 24 years, 106 days on the final day of the regular season, James is the youngest player to win the award since Moses Malone (24 years, 16 days) in 1978-79. Wes Unseld was 23 when he won it in 1968-69.
James vied all season for MVP honors with Bryant and Wade, his teammates on the U.S. gold medalist Olympic team last summer.
"He deserved it," Wade said. "I said all year, I thought LeBron was the MVP of this league. He's a guy who every year is going to be in that conversation. ... He showed it all year, especially with his team's success."
Focused from the start, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound James sharpened his already formidable skills this season.
He started a career-high 81 games and set personal bests in field-goal (49) and free-throw (79) percentages as well as blocks (93). James became the second player to post five straight seasons of at least 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. The other is Robertson, whose versatile game is the one to which James' is most often compared.
James nearly averaged a triple-double — 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists — as the top-seeded Cavaliers breezed through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping Detroit in four games. Cleveland hosts the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 on Tuesday.
"My mission hasn't been completed," James said. "I still I have a lot of things I want to do this season. I want to have another celebration in June."
With his longtime girlfriend, Savannah, and their two sons sitting up front, James thanked his family, friends and former teammates during a touching speech. Promising not to cry, he spoke fondly of his mom, who struggled to raise her only son.
"I don't know how you did it," James said.
Better than anyone, Gloria James understood her son's trip through his old neighborhoods. "It didn't surprise me," she said. "He has never forgotten where he came from. "Soon, it was time for James to head home, a place he never left.
TOP BASKETBALL RECRUIT JOHN WALL CHARGED WITH BREAKING AND ENTRING
BY THE Associated Press (AP) — One of the nation's most sought-after basketball recruits has been charged with a misdemeanor breaking and entering after police found him walking out of a vacant house in North Carolina, police said Monday.
John Wall, 18, was detained briefly April 27 in Raleigh, but not arrested. He and two other teenagers were cited. Police said there was no indication of forced entry at the empty house or that anything was taken.
Wall, a point guard at Raleigh Word of God, was voted The Associated Press men's prep basketball player of the year for North Carolina in March.
He has not announced a college choice, but has been pursued by Duke, North Carolina State, Kansas, Memphis, Miami, Kentucky, among others.
Frank Jackson, an assistant district attorney in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, said a person convicted of such an offense could face up to 120 days in jail. But he said a first-time offender would likely have to perform community service.
A call to Wall's home in Raleigh found the phone was disconnected. His mother didn't have a listed phone number, and message to the school's athletic director wasn't immediately returned.
John Wall, 18, was detained briefly April 27 in Raleigh, but not arrested. He and two other teenagers were cited. Police said there was no indication of forced entry at the empty house or that anything was taken.
Wall, a point guard at Raleigh Word of God, was voted The Associated Press men's prep basketball player of the year for North Carolina in March.
He has not announced a college choice, but has been pursued by Duke, North Carolina State, Kansas, Memphis, Miami, Kentucky, among others.
Frank Jackson, an assistant district attorney in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, said a person convicted of such an offense could face up to 120 days in jail. But he said a first-time offender would likely have to perform community service.
A call to Wall's home in Raleigh found the phone was disconnected. His mother didn't have a listed phone number, and message to the school's athletic director wasn't immediately returned.
COOPER NAMED USC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
BY WAVE STAFF
Michael Cooper, the L.A. Sparks head coach and former Laker great, is the new women’s basketball coach at USC.
He officially takes over upon completion of the WNBA season in late September or early October.
Cooper, 53, replaces Mark Trakh, who resigned last month after guiding the Trojans for five seasons.
Joining his staff will be long-time college and high school assistant Ervin Monier, who will oversee the program until Cooper’s arrival.
“We are absolutely thrilled to hire a coach of Michael Cooper’s caliber,” USC athletic director Mike Garrett said. “Between Michael’s coaching experience and his playing background, he brings so much to the table.
“He has coached and played at the highest level and with the greatest players in the world. He’ll be an excellent in-game coach, he’ll do a great job preparing his teams and he’ll wow the recruits. And I’ll say this: we’ll be a strong team defensively.”
Cooper is looking forward to his new assignment.
“I’m very honored to have this opportunity to coach at a great university with such a rich tradition in women’s basketball,” he said. “My philosophy has always been about winning championships, and at USC we want to do that as well as graduate our players and make sure they enjoy their basketball experience. I’m looking forward to working in a collegiate atmosphere and all that comes with it.”
First, though, he has his Sparks’ obligation to complete.
“But for the next few months, it’s important to understand that my focus and commitment will be with the Los Angeles Sparks and winning a championship,” he said. “I’m excited about the Sparks’ upcoming season and I am totally devoted to them right now. After that, I’ll switch gears and be equally excited about USC.”
During a 12-year playing career, Cooper was a member of five NBA championship teams with the Lakers. He has been the Sparks coach the past seven years.
Monier, 47, spent the last five year as associate head coach at Rhode Island.Prior to that, he was an assistant to Dawn Staley at Temple.
He has also coached locally.
He began his coaching career as an assistant at Hawthorne High School, where he coached from 1986-91. He then coached at L.A. Southwest College from 1992-96 and became an assistant at Washington Prep in 1999. The following year he was at Chadwick in Palos Verdes and has also taught at the middle and high school levels in the L.A. Unified School District.
Michael Cooper, the L.A. Sparks head coach and former Laker great, is the new women’s basketball coach at USC.
He officially takes over upon completion of the WNBA season in late September or early October.
Cooper, 53, replaces Mark Trakh, who resigned last month after guiding the Trojans for five seasons.
Joining his staff will be long-time college and high school assistant Ervin Monier, who will oversee the program until Cooper’s arrival.
“We are absolutely thrilled to hire a coach of Michael Cooper’s caliber,” USC athletic director Mike Garrett said. “Between Michael’s coaching experience and his playing background, he brings so much to the table.
“He has coached and played at the highest level and with the greatest players in the world. He’ll be an excellent in-game coach, he’ll do a great job preparing his teams and he’ll wow the recruits. And I’ll say this: we’ll be a strong team defensively.”
Cooper is looking forward to his new assignment.
“I’m very honored to have this opportunity to coach at a great university with such a rich tradition in women’s basketball,” he said. “My philosophy has always been about winning championships, and at USC we want to do that as well as graduate our players and make sure they enjoy their basketball experience. I’m looking forward to working in a collegiate atmosphere and all that comes with it.”
First, though, he has his Sparks’ obligation to complete.
“But for the next few months, it’s important to understand that my focus and commitment will be with the Los Angeles Sparks and winning a championship,” he said. “I’m excited about the Sparks’ upcoming season and I am totally devoted to them right now. After that, I’ll switch gears and be equally excited about USC.”
During a 12-year playing career, Cooper was a member of five NBA championship teams with the Lakers. He has been the Sparks coach the past seven years.
Monier, 47, spent the last five year as associate head coach at Rhode Island.Prior to that, he was an assistant to Dawn Staley at Temple.
He has also coached locally.
He began his coaching career as an assistant at Hawthorne High School, where he coached from 1986-91. He then coached at L.A. Southwest College from 1992-96 and became an assistant at Washington Prep in 1999. The following year he was at Chadwick in Palos Verdes and has also taught at the middle and high school levels in the L.A. Unified School District.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
SPECIAL TEAMS COACH BREAKS BACK,11 OTHERS HURT IN ROOF COLLAPSE
By DAVID JIMENEZ and JAIME ARON, Associated Press
Whenever a storm hits while the Dallas Cowboys are inside their practice facility, the sound of rain pelting the tent-like structure can drown out conversation. No matter the noise, safety rarely was an issue, until Saturday.
Wind that was just shy of tornado strength, and perhaps stronger, ripped through the roof during a rookie minicamp practice, essentially popping the so-called bubble. Between the falling debris and the furor to get out, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis broke his back and 11 more people were hospitalized.
About 60 others felt lucky to escape with only cuts and bruises.
"I saw it coming down and didn't have time to react," secondary coach Dave Campo said. "I hit the ground and was able to get back up."
DeCamillis, hired a few months ago, is likely to need surgery to fix "a couple of broken vertebrae" in his lower back but is expected to recover, said his father-in-law, Dan Reeves, the longtime NFL coach.
DeCamillis was among 10 people taken away by emergency vehicles. Two others went to hospitals on their own.
"Right now, I think we don't have anybody who is in a life-threatening situation," said Dr. Paul Pepe, head of emergency medical services for Dallas County.
Those with more serious injuries included a person with a head injury, one with an open fracture below the knee and someone who was impaled with metal, said Tommy Gonzalez, Irving's city manager.
Names of the injured were not released due to privacy issues. Players were told not to discuss the episode with reporters.
Just before the facility was flattened, wind was clocked at 64 mph, a single mph shy of the threshold for a weak tornado. However, National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Woodall said a "microburst" may have pushed the wind beyond 70 mph at the top of the structure. A microburst also was to blame for a 1985 Delta Airlines crash at nearby DFW airport that killed 137 people.
"The fact that there weren't more injuries is rather miraculous," Woodall said.
Also incredible: An Irving police spokesman said there was hardly any damage beyond the Cowboys' facility.
Before Bill Parcells was hired as coach in 2003, the Cowboys rarely practiced indoors, unless weather was bad enough for them to ride buses to a high school team's bubble. Parcells suggested that owner Jerry Jones build one, and it was finished in time for Parcells' first season at a cost of more than $4 million.
The no-frills building was pretty much a 100-yard football field with a few more yards of clearance all the way around. The roof was 80 feet high, the equivalent of an eight-story building.
On Saturday, there were 27 players — almost all drafted last weekend or signed as undrafted rookies — working out when the storm hit. Also in the building were coaches, support staff and media.
Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com escaped, but was knocked down by something hitting his back. He then heard someone screaming for help and realized it was coming from under a door frame. He recognized that it was Todd Archer of The Dallas Morning News because of a tattoo on his ankle.
Eatman and colleague Josh Ellis tried freeing Archer but the structure wouldn't budge. "It was like a car," Eatman said. Then safety DeAngelo Smith and linebacker Brandon Williams managed to lift it just enough for Archer to squirm out.
"I was trapped. I couldn't move," said Archer, who figures he was down 20 to 25 seconds. "Then those guys lifted it up — not very far, but I was able to move from my side to my back. ... Once I got out of there, I looked back and the whole thing was down."
Eatman said one of the swaying lights wound up more than two football fields away. The giant blue star atop the building lay crumpled on the ground. The storm knocked out power at team headquarters and splintered trees across the property. Power was out at team headquarters for about an hour.
"We're lucky no one got electrocuted with all the water in the building," head coach Wade Phillips said.
Larry Rodriguez, a television cameraman who in 2005 was attacked by Kenny Rogers while filming the former Texas Rangers pitcher, received six stitches to close a cut on a hand.
The team canceled Sunday's practice, the final one for the rookies. The first voluntary full-squad minicamp is May 19-21.
___
Associated Press writers Jamie Stengle and Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.
Whenever a storm hits while the Dallas Cowboys are inside their practice facility, the sound of rain pelting the tent-like structure can drown out conversation. No matter the noise, safety rarely was an issue, until Saturday.
Wind that was just shy of tornado strength, and perhaps stronger, ripped through the roof during a rookie minicamp practice, essentially popping the so-called bubble. Between the falling debris and the furor to get out, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis broke his back and 11 more people were hospitalized.
About 60 others felt lucky to escape with only cuts and bruises.
"I saw it coming down and didn't have time to react," secondary coach Dave Campo said. "I hit the ground and was able to get back up."
DeCamillis, hired a few months ago, is likely to need surgery to fix "a couple of broken vertebrae" in his lower back but is expected to recover, said his father-in-law, Dan Reeves, the longtime NFL coach.
DeCamillis was among 10 people taken away by emergency vehicles. Two others went to hospitals on their own.
"Right now, I think we don't have anybody who is in a life-threatening situation," said Dr. Paul Pepe, head of emergency medical services for Dallas County.
Those with more serious injuries included a person with a head injury, one with an open fracture below the knee and someone who was impaled with metal, said Tommy Gonzalez, Irving's city manager.
Names of the injured were not released due to privacy issues. Players were told not to discuss the episode with reporters.
Just before the facility was flattened, wind was clocked at 64 mph, a single mph shy of the threshold for a weak tornado. However, National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Woodall said a "microburst" may have pushed the wind beyond 70 mph at the top of the structure. A microburst also was to blame for a 1985 Delta Airlines crash at nearby DFW airport that killed 137 people.
"The fact that there weren't more injuries is rather miraculous," Woodall said.
Also incredible: An Irving police spokesman said there was hardly any damage beyond the Cowboys' facility.
Before Bill Parcells was hired as coach in 2003, the Cowboys rarely practiced indoors, unless weather was bad enough for them to ride buses to a high school team's bubble. Parcells suggested that owner Jerry Jones build one, and it was finished in time for Parcells' first season at a cost of more than $4 million.
The no-frills building was pretty much a 100-yard football field with a few more yards of clearance all the way around. The roof was 80 feet high, the equivalent of an eight-story building.
On Saturday, there were 27 players — almost all drafted last weekend or signed as undrafted rookies — working out when the storm hit. Also in the building were coaches, support staff and media.
Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com escaped, but was knocked down by something hitting his back. He then heard someone screaming for help and realized it was coming from under a door frame. He recognized that it was Todd Archer of The Dallas Morning News because of a tattoo on his ankle.
Eatman and colleague Josh Ellis tried freeing Archer but the structure wouldn't budge. "It was like a car," Eatman said. Then safety DeAngelo Smith and linebacker Brandon Williams managed to lift it just enough for Archer to squirm out.
"I was trapped. I couldn't move," said Archer, who figures he was down 20 to 25 seconds. "Then those guys lifted it up — not very far, but I was able to move from my side to my back. ... Once I got out of there, I looked back and the whole thing was down."
Eatman said one of the swaying lights wound up more than two football fields away. The giant blue star atop the building lay crumpled on the ground. The storm knocked out power at team headquarters and splintered trees across the property. Power was out at team headquarters for about an hour.
"We're lucky no one got electrocuted with all the water in the building," head coach Wade Phillips said.
Larry Rodriguez, a television cameraman who in 2005 was attacked by Kenny Rogers while filming the former Texas Rangers pitcher, received six stitches to close a cut on a hand.
The team canceled Sunday's practice, the final one for the rookies. The first voluntary full-squad minicamp is May 19-21.
___
Associated Press writers Jamie Stengle and Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FEEL MONEY CRUNCH
By RACHEL GEORGE OF THE STAR NEWS
New Hanover County athletic directors and board of education members agree the district is in a budgetary pickle. They differ, though, on county athletics’ role in getting out of it.
While the board has proposed new cuts, the four high school athletic directors have come up with their own plan that would continue cost-cutting measures put in place this year, as well as expand them for next year.
“We realize that we’ve got to contribute, too, and we’re willing to do that,” said Laney athletic director Fred Lynch. “If we were just told the dollar amount that we were going to have to reduce, I think that would help a lot. … We know that everybody’s having a shortage. But we feel like, give us some input.”
Without knowing how much money they’ll get from the state and county, district officials have put together several proposals to cover the predicted difference, including a decrease in supplements to county coaches and a pay cut to county athletic directors. Neither of those options are flying with the county’s four high school athletic directors.
“Although while it appears to be a ripe apple to pick, when you look at the overall budget, (athletics is) actually a small, small sliver of the piece of the pie,” said Hoggard AD Scott Braswell. “(We hope) the hit that athletics takes, the cut that athletics takes, would not be disproportionate to the cuts that are going to be seen in the overall educational budget.” Cut here and here.
The county’s athletic directors already know they will have to cut 10 percent for 2009-10. Last year, the athletic department received just more than $1.5 million, or 0.7 percent of the district’s more than $204.6 million operating budget. The athletics budget covers everything from equipment to reimbursement for officials to coaching supplements. Teaching salaries for coaches and base salaries for athletic directors are not included.
The district’s reduction proposal cuts the number of game workers, transportation and meals for the playoffs and emergency athletic equipment repairs.
On top of the 10 percent overall cut, the district also has proposed cutting all extra-duty supplements by 5 percent – for everyone from the band director to the football coach. The district would save $21,630 by cutting supplements for coaches at the middle and high school level, part of a proposed additional 5 percent decrease in the budget.
While coaches wouldn’t be alone in sharing the burden, their athletic directors feel it’s unfair for people who are already underpaid.
“I think morale is the biggest issue when you’re talking about cutting coaching supplements,” said Lynch. “For some, they’re going to see it as a slap in the face that, you’re really telling me you don’t appreciate what I do.”
Added Braswell, “I don’t think that’s a good place to look for cuts. These are coaching stipends that have not been raised in 15 years.”
But the athletic directors could face their own financial hit. The district is considering moving them from 12-month to 11-month employees. The change would amount to an 8.33 percent pay cut which few other district employees would be required to take.
Alarmed by the ADs’ salaries, some board members say they don’t understand why the position is a full-time job year-round.
Combined, the four athletic directors make $292,516.28. County athletic director Joe Miller makes $96,000 annually.
“For me, that is an example of, ‘Is our budget in line with our mission?’” said board member Elizabeth Redenbaugh. “Right now, I don’t feel, as a board member, that our budget is aligned with our mission in every single area, and athletics is an area I can point to.
“We’ve got this bloated bureaucracy there. Do we really need all of that?” she added. “When you look at the salaries of those individuals, to me it doesn’t pass the smell test.”
Board member Nick Rhodes said the district would work to make sure employees are not hit with multiple cuts. For example, if ADs would lose money from their base salary and face a 5 percent cut on their athletic director supplements.
Rhodes added that an earlier proposal to return the ADs to the classroom was unlikely. According to Mary Hazel Small, the district’s chief financial officer, that would only save the district money if the ADs taught a full load of three out of four blocks since it’s a position that wouldn’t need to be filled.
However, a Star-News survey of 84 4A athletic directors statewide found that while the majority (60.7 percent) do teach at least one class, only one teaches a full course load. Next year, ADs in Forsyth County will take on a full class load to help with budget shortfalls there.
But the athletic directors point to their long hours and year-round commitment. They are among the first people at school each day and the last to leave once all games are over.
“The job of an AD, it is a full-time job,” said Lynch. “It can be a long, long day. It’s challenging, and then in between that, you’re trying to take care of yourself and your family. You’re trying to juggle everybody.”
A different set of options.
As some board members question the efficiency of the athletic directors, they aren’t merely sitting and waiting for the axe to fall.
For some of their coaches, the supplements are already so small that a 5 percent reduction will mean less than $100. Still, it will have an impact.
“When you look at it, yeah, it’s only 5 percent, but that hits home with them,” said New Hanover AD Keith Moore.
The four high school ADs have worked for more than a month to put together a proposal to make cuts that would: absorb the 10 percent cut desired by board, allow the coaches to keep their current supplements, and let the ADs stay in a 12-month position.
Among their proposals, all four schools would: purchase items, for example soccer balls and scorebooks, in bulk to get a lower price and save on shipping, cut the number of junior varsity contest, share transportation to major events such as regional meets and state championships, not order uniforms for one year until economy improves.
Some of those changes have already been implemented in an effort to be proactive. For instance, if tennis and volleyball are playing on the road, those players shared a bus to cut down on transportation costs. The schools have also ordered equipment in bulk. The conference moved game times up in some sports to save on electricity.
With realignment next year, the Wilmington schools will play Greenville Rose and New Bern in the Mideastern Conference. Cost-cutting plans are already in place. The tennis teams will play each conference foe once, not twice. All weekly wrestling duals will be eliminated and the teams will compete in all their conference dual meets in one day.
“We knew that the budget cuts were coming,” said Ashley athletic director Roy Turner, “so we started already.”
Let’s work together.
That attitude is one the ADs hope will help them as numbers are crunched by school board members, who agreed on the importance of athletics, yet reinforced they must do their part.
The board has not yet received the athletic directors’ proposal, but Redenbaugh and Rhodes were encouraged by their willingness to help with the problem.
“I applaud them for taking that approach,” said Rhodes, “ ’cause that tells me they understand what we’re up against, and they’re willing to work with us.”
Rhodes said the board expects to learn about its funding in May or June. Then the district will decide what cuts and changes need to be finalized. The ADs hope their input will be considered.
“Our ultimate goal is to say, ‘Give us a number, give us a percentage and tell us you can fund this amount of money,’” said Turner.
“And once they give us that amount of money, then let us as athletic directors, principals, coaches, put our heads together and say, ‘These are the line items. This is how we can make it work.’”
New Hanover County athletic directors and board of education members agree the district is in a budgetary pickle. They differ, though, on county athletics’ role in getting out of it.
While the board has proposed new cuts, the four high school athletic directors have come up with their own plan that would continue cost-cutting measures put in place this year, as well as expand them for next year.
“We realize that we’ve got to contribute, too, and we’re willing to do that,” said Laney athletic director Fred Lynch. “If we were just told the dollar amount that we were going to have to reduce, I think that would help a lot. … We know that everybody’s having a shortage. But we feel like, give us some input.”
Without knowing how much money they’ll get from the state and county, district officials have put together several proposals to cover the predicted difference, including a decrease in supplements to county coaches and a pay cut to county athletic directors. Neither of those options are flying with the county’s four high school athletic directors.
“Although while it appears to be a ripe apple to pick, when you look at the overall budget, (athletics is) actually a small, small sliver of the piece of the pie,” said Hoggard AD Scott Braswell. “(We hope) the hit that athletics takes, the cut that athletics takes, would not be disproportionate to the cuts that are going to be seen in the overall educational budget.” Cut here and here.
The county’s athletic directors already know they will have to cut 10 percent for 2009-10. Last year, the athletic department received just more than $1.5 million, or 0.7 percent of the district’s more than $204.6 million operating budget. The athletics budget covers everything from equipment to reimbursement for officials to coaching supplements. Teaching salaries for coaches and base salaries for athletic directors are not included.
The district’s reduction proposal cuts the number of game workers, transportation and meals for the playoffs and emergency athletic equipment repairs.
On top of the 10 percent overall cut, the district also has proposed cutting all extra-duty supplements by 5 percent – for everyone from the band director to the football coach. The district would save $21,630 by cutting supplements for coaches at the middle and high school level, part of a proposed additional 5 percent decrease in the budget.
While coaches wouldn’t be alone in sharing the burden, their athletic directors feel it’s unfair for people who are already underpaid.
“I think morale is the biggest issue when you’re talking about cutting coaching supplements,” said Lynch. “For some, they’re going to see it as a slap in the face that, you’re really telling me you don’t appreciate what I do.”
Added Braswell, “I don’t think that’s a good place to look for cuts. These are coaching stipends that have not been raised in 15 years.”
But the athletic directors could face their own financial hit. The district is considering moving them from 12-month to 11-month employees. The change would amount to an 8.33 percent pay cut which few other district employees would be required to take.
Alarmed by the ADs’ salaries, some board members say they don’t understand why the position is a full-time job year-round.
Combined, the four athletic directors make $292,516.28. County athletic director Joe Miller makes $96,000 annually.
“For me, that is an example of, ‘Is our budget in line with our mission?’” said board member Elizabeth Redenbaugh. “Right now, I don’t feel, as a board member, that our budget is aligned with our mission in every single area, and athletics is an area I can point to.
“We’ve got this bloated bureaucracy there. Do we really need all of that?” she added. “When you look at the salaries of those individuals, to me it doesn’t pass the smell test.”
Board member Nick Rhodes said the district would work to make sure employees are not hit with multiple cuts. For example, if ADs would lose money from their base salary and face a 5 percent cut on their athletic director supplements.
Rhodes added that an earlier proposal to return the ADs to the classroom was unlikely. According to Mary Hazel Small, the district’s chief financial officer, that would only save the district money if the ADs taught a full load of three out of four blocks since it’s a position that wouldn’t need to be filled.
However, a Star-News survey of 84 4A athletic directors statewide found that while the majority (60.7 percent) do teach at least one class, only one teaches a full course load. Next year, ADs in Forsyth County will take on a full class load to help with budget shortfalls there.
But the athletic directors point to their long hours and year-round commitment. They are among the first people at school each day and the last to leave once all games are over.
“The job of an AD, it is a full-time job,” said Lynch. “It can be a long, long day. It’s challenging, and then in between that, you’re trying to take care of yourself and your family. You’re trying to juggle everybody.”
A different set of options.
As some board members question the efficiency of the athletic directors, they aren’t merely sitting and waiting for the axe to fall.
For some of their coaches, the supplements are already so small that a 5 percent reduction will mean less than $100. Still, it will have an impact.
“When you look at it, yeah, it’s only 5 percent, but that hits home with them,” said New Hanover AD Keith Moore.
The four high school ADs have worked for more than a month to put together a proposal to make cuts that would: absorb the 10 percent cut desired by board, allow the coaches to keep their current supplements, and let the ADs stay in a 12-month position.
Among their proposals, all four schools would: purchase items, for example soccer balls and scorebooks, in bulk to get a lower price and save on shipping, cut the number of junior varsity contest, share transportation to major events such as regional meets and state championships, not order uniforms for one year until economy improves.
Some of those changes have already been implemented in an effort to be proactive. For instance, if tennis and volleyball are playing on the road, those players shared a bus to cut down on transportation costs. The schools have also ordered equipment in bulk. The conference moved game times up in some sports to save on electricity.
With realignment next year, the Wilmington schools will play Greenville Rose and New Bern in the Mideastern Conference. Cost-cutting plans are already in place. The tennis teams will play each conference foe once, not twice. All weekly wrestling duals will be eliminated and the teams will compete in all their conference dual meets in one day.
“We knew that the budget cuts were coming,” said Ashley athletic director Roy Turner, “so we started already.”
Let’s work together.
That attitude is one the ADs hope will help them as numbers are crunched by school board members, who agreed on the importance of athletics, yet reinforced they must do their part.
The board has not yet received the athletic directors’ proposal, but Redenbaugh and Rhodes were encouraged by their willingness to help with the problem.
“I applaud them for taking that approach,” said Rhodes, “ ’cause that tells me they understand what we’re up against, and they’re willing to work with us.”
Rhodes said the board expects to learn about its funding in May or June. Then the district will decide what cuts and changes need to be finalized. The ADs hope their input will be considered.
“Our ultimate goal is to say, ‘Give us a number, give us a percentage and tell us you can fund this amount of money,’” said Turner.
“And once they give us that amount of money, then let us as athletic directors, principals, coaches, put our heads together and say, ‘These are the line items. This is how we can make it work.’”
Friday, May 1, 2009
MARCUS FITZGERALD GETS HIS SHOT AT THE NFL
By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune
The Vikings hope receiver Marcus Fitzgerald has more in common with his older brother than a last name.
Marcus Fitzgerald attended a handful of regular-season games in which his older brother, Arizona Cardinals standout Larry Jr., played last year. Marcus also was in attendance throughout the playoffs as Larry's numerous receptions helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl.
While Marcus was proud, he also longed for the chance to demonstrate his own skills. That wasn't possible after the wide receiver suffered a torn hamstring while doing the 40-yard dash at his 2008 Pro Day at Marshall. The injury meant Marcus didn't have the opportunity to catch on with a team in the spring and he ended up spending his time in the Twin Cities working out and keeping his focus on getting a chance.
That opportunity will come this weekend as Fitzgerald joins a group of players at the Vikings' three-day rookie camp on a tryout basis.
"Last year I pretty much stayed here and just kept training and kept grinding," said Fitzgerald, who trained at Velocity Sports Performance in Champlin. "I knew my opportunity would come eventually. My whole mind-set was to keep training like I knew this was going to happen."
The son of longtime Twin Cities journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr., Marcus' invitation to the Vikings camp came after he had a discussion with Brad Childress last month while attending a fund-raising event named in honor of Marcus' late mother, Carol.
Fitzgerald, 23, got the opportunity to tell the Vikings coach about himself and his time at Marshall. Fitzgerald's best season came as a sophomore when he had 41 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns; he had only five catches for 71 yards as a senior. Childress liked what he heard enough to invite Fitzgerald to try out.
It was a dream scenario for Fitzgerald, who like his brother, had grown up rooting for the Vikings and served as a ball boy for the team from 1998-2003. At the time, Fitzgerald tried to work with the Vikings running backs because that was his position, but eventually he was converted to wide receiver at Marshall.
That, of course, is the same position his big brother plays. Marcus has talked to his brother about this tryout and Larry Jr., 25, is even sending some gloves. But while Marcus appreciates the help, his desire is to make a name for himself.
"My story is going to be different than Larry's," Marcus said. "Larry was the third pick overall [in 2004] and things just happened for him. He got a big contract, got to play right away. But with me having to go through the injury and come through adversity of not getting drafted -- it's a mental test, and really made me persevere and appreciate it that much more."
The Vikings hope receiver Marcus Fitzgerald has more in common with his older brother than a last name.
Marcus Fitzgerald attended a handful of regular-season games in which his older brother, Arizona Cardinals standout Larry Jr., played last year. Marcus also was in attendance throughout the playoffs as Larry's numerous receptions helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl.
While Marcus was proud, he also longed for the chance to demonstrate his own skills. That wasn't possible after the wide receiver suffered a torn hamstring while doing the 40-yard dash at his 2008 Pro Day at Marshall. The injury meant Marcus didn't have the opportunity to catch on with a team in the spring and he ended up spending his time in the Twin Cities working out and keeping his focus on getting a chance.
That opportunity will come this weekend as Fitzgerald joins a group of players at the Vikings' three-day rookie camp on a tryout basis.
"Last year I pretty much stayed here and just kept training and kept grinding," said Fitzgerald, who trained at Velocity Sports Performance in Champlin. "I knew my opportunity would come eventually. My whole mind-set was to keep training like I knew this was going to happen."
The son of longtime Twin Cities journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr., Marcus' invitation to the Vikings camp came after he had a discussion with Brad Childress last month while attending a fund-raising event named in honor of Marcus' late mother, Carol.
Fitzgerald, 23, got the opportunity to tell the Vikings coach about himself and his time at Marshall. Fitzgerald's best season came as a sophomore when he had 41 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns; he had only five catches for 71 yards as a senior. Childress liked what he heard enough to invite Fitzgerald to try out.
It was a dream scenario for Fitzgerald, who like his brother, had grown up rooting for the Vikings and served as a ball boy for the team from 1998-2003. At the time, Fitzgerald tried to work with the Vikings running backs because that was his position, but eventually he was converted to wide receiver at Marshall.
That, of course, is the same position his big brother plays. Marcus has talked to his brother about this tryout and Larry Jr., 25, is even sending some gloves. But while Marcus appreciates the help, his desire is to make a name for himself.
"My story is going to be different than Larry's," Marcus said. "Larry was the third pick overall [in 2004] and things just happened for him. He got a big contract, got to play right away. But with me having to go through the injury and come through adversity of not getting drafted -- it's a mental test, and really made me persevere and appreciate it that much more."
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