Hamline University sophomore gymnast Sarah Prosen (Apple Valley, Minn.) is one of two U.S. women to qualify on the double mini trampoline for the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games to be held in Taiwan in July.
The World Games are held every four years and take place in the calendar year after an Olympic Games. The Games are an Olympic-type competition that encompasses over 35 sports, including beach handball, softball, karate, sumo, and dance. This year’s host city, Kaohsiung, is a port city in Taiwan.
Prosen, who specializes in the floor exercise for the Pipers and was a 2008 All-American in the event, has been a member of the senior national trampoline and tumbling team since 2007. She was ranked first in the country in the double mini trampoline last year.
Her success on the international scene in double mini trampoline includes being a medalist at the 2008 World Cup in Belgium and earning a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Quebec.
Prosen qualified for the World Games by placing second at the Elite Challenge in Arkansas over the weekend of May 8-10. The first place finisher, and other World qualifier, was Prosen’s U.S.A. teammate and best friend, Aubree Balkan from San Diego.
“We are proud of and happy for Sarah's recent accomplishment,” said Hamline director of athletics Bob Beeman. “Her performance is a testament to her overall competitiveness and tenacious work ethic. We certainly wish her nothing but success in Taiwan this summer.”
Prosen describes the event as a mixture of vault and trampoline. The apparatus is rectangular in shape, unlike a traditional round backyard trampoline, and athletes approach the double mini trampoline on a runway much like they do a vault.
There is a small landing area in which the gymnast needs to land. A routine on the apparatus consists of two skills and gymnasts need to have four different passes with different skills in each.
Prosen began to trampoline at the age of 12 and trains out of Gleason’s Gymnastic School in Eagan, Minnesota. She is working on a new routine that will give her the highest difficulty of any woman in the U.S.
When asked what allows her to achieve success on the world stage in the double mini trampoline, Prosen responds, “The adrenaline rush of learning new skills and flipping though the air is what keeps me going. I am extremely competitive and I never give up on my goals. If I set my mind to doing something, I strive accomplish that goal and do not give up until I reach it.”
The Games take place July 17-22 and Prosen’s competition will take place from the 20th-22nd. Prosen is looking forward to taking in the other sports while in Taiwan as well as bonding with her teammates from the U.S.
Details regarding live television coverage of the event, as well as Prosen’s results, will be on the Hamline University gymnastics website at www.hamline.edu/gymnastics when available. More information about the 2009 World Games is available at www.worldgames2009.tw.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
IT WAS TNL TAKING ON THE GLORY IN THE 16U CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
In the 16U championship game it was TNL took on the Glory. Both of these teams were able to get the ball up the court. They got the ball out of the basket they were off to the races. In the first quarter both of these teams played both zone and man to man defense.
The Glory played zone defense and that forced TNL to swing the ball around the three point arch. TNL was not scared to shoot the ball.
In a half that was pretty sloppy by TNL with sloppy passes and miss shots they were down at the half by the score of 40-24.
As the third quarter got underway the Glory looked strong. They were able to make that extra pass and they were way more patient when they had the ball.
In the third quarter the TNL players kind of got fed up and got angry with some of the calls that they were getting. They kept their tempers in check and finished the game.
At the end of the third quarter the score was Glory 65 TNL 40.
The Minnesota Glory came to play. They were able to constantly knock down shots and they gained a big lead from the beginning. In a game that had a large scoring deference the Minnesota Glory came away with the 73-51 victory.
I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boys Hoops. You can check out his thoughts on the tournament here.
The Glory played zone defense and that forced TNL to swing the ball around the three point arch. TNL was not scared to shoot the ball.
In a half that was pretty sloppy by TNL with sloppy passes and miss shots they were down at the half by the score of 40-24.
As the third quarter got underway the Glory looked strong. They were able to make that extra pass and they were way more patient when they had the ball.
In the third quarter the TNL players kind of got fed up and got angry with some of the calls that they were getting. They kept their tempers in check and finished the game.
At the end of the third quarter the score was Glory 65 TNL 40.
The Minnesota Glory came to play. They were able to constantly knock down shots and they gained a big lead from the beginning. In a game that had a large scoring deference the Minnesota Glory came away with the 73-51 victory.
I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boys Hoops. You can check out his thoughts on the tournament here.
TRIPPLE THREAT TOOK ON THE MINNEAPOLIS REDHAWKS FOR THE 17U CHAMPIONSHIP
In the 17u championship game it was Triple Threat going up against the Red Hawks. In the first half both of these teams played very aggressively.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks played a zone defense in the first half. Both of these teams went up and down the court.
Triple Threat was able to find the basket early and often in the first half.
At the half the score was Triple Threat 29 and Minneapolis Red Hawks 16.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks came out fired up and ready to go in second half. They played aggressive defense.
Triple Treat was able to go on a run in the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter the score was Triple Threat 43 and Minneapolis Red Hawks 33.
As the fourth quarter got underway each of these teams turned on the pursuer. They each played half court man to man defense.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks went on a run in the middle of the fourth quarter. They were able to make consecutive shots and Triple Threat couldn’t respond.
It was a game that went back and forth but in the end Triple Threat was able to come away with the 62-49 victory.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks played a zone defense in the first half. Both of these teams went up and down the court.
Triple Threat was able to find the basket early and often in the first half.
At the half the score was Triple Threat 29 and Minneapolis Red Hawks 16.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks came out fired up and ready to go in second half. They played aggressive defense.
Triple Treat was able to go on a run in the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter the score was Triple Threat 43 and Minneapolis Red Hawks 33.
As the fourth quarter got underway each of these teams turned on the pursuer. They each played half court man to man defense.
The Minneapolis Red Hawks went on a run in the middle of the fourth quarter. They were able to make consecutive shots and Triple Threat couldn’t respond.
It was a game that went back and forth but in the end Triple Threat was able to come away with the 62-49 victory.
15U CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
In the 15u championship it was Minnesota Select going up against TC Elite. Minnesota Select started out in a full court man to man defense. Both of these teams traded baskets in the first quarter. When Select made a shot the next time down the court TC Elite came down and made a shot.
Each of these teams went at each other in the first quarter. Neither team was able to go on a run. They did a good job of figuring out what the other team was doing and they matched it on their end.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Minnesota Select 11 and TC Elite 12.
In the second quarter the pace of the game was quite slow. Each of the clubs walked the ball up the clock wasting as much time as they wanted to. Select just couldn’t find the man inside. There coach wanted to have them make 5 passes before they even looked for the shot.
The second quarter neither team was able to go on a run. They both played aggressive defense. There were not many shots that were either put up or taken.
At half time the score was Select 17 and TC Elite 19.
As the second half got underway both of these teams seemed to be quicker getting up and down the court. They seemed to really play more aggressively.
Andre Hines for Select made some nice no look passes to his teammates. On the defensive end he was able to put pressure.
Through the first three quarters neither team was able to go on a run. It was a defensive battle from the beginning.
At the end of the third quarter the score was Select 25 and TC Elite 27.
TC Elite played a fair amount zone defense throughout the fourth quarter. This game came down to the end. In the end TC Elite came away with the 42-37 victory.
Each of these teams went at each other in the first quarter. Neither team was able to go on a run. They did a good job of figuring out what the other team was doing and they matched it on their end.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Minnesota Select 11 and TC Elite 12.
In the second quarter the pace of the game was quite slow. Each of the clubs walked the ball up the clock wasting as much time as they wanted to. Select just couldn’t find the man inside. There coach wanted to have them make 5 passes before they even looked for the shot.
The second quarter neither team was able to go on a run. They both played aggressive defense. There were not many shots that were either put up or taken.
At half time the score was Select 17 and TC Elite 19.
As the second half got underway both of these teams seemed to be quicker getting up and down the court. They seemed to really play more aggressively.
Andre Hines for Select made some nice no look passes to his teammates. On the defensive end he was able to put pressure.
Through the first three quarters neither team was able to go on a run. It was a defensive battle from the beginning.
At the end of the third quarter the score was Select 25 and TC Elite 27.
TC Elite played a fair amount zone defense throughout the fourth quarter. This game came down to the end. In the end TC Elite came away with the 42-37 victory.
TROY BELL KNOCKS DOWN 27 IN PLAY OFF VICTORY
Troy Bell notched 27 points as Vanoli Soresina defeated Fastweb Casale in the semifinal opener. Mauricio Aguiar added 11 points and 7 boards to pace the winners. Zabian Dowdell responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Casale in the loss.
WAYMAN TISDALE DIES AT THE AGE OF 44
Tisdale dies at 44
A former Oklahoman at the age of 44 dies. The great Wayman Tisdale died after a two-year battle with cancer. Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa hospital, Joy McGill, a hospital spokeswoman said.
A 6-foot-9 forward Tisdale forward from Tulsa played in teh NBA with Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. We was considered to be having a left-handed touch. During 1984 Olympics, he was with the US team when it won a gold medal. On his career, he averaged 15.3 points per game.
Aside from being a basketball start, after his career, he became an awar winning jazz musician who made several albums that made it to the Top 10 in the Billboard charts. He was inducted on the National Collegiate Basketball Hall Famer.
Senate Majority Leader Todd Lamb, announced Tisdale's death on the Oklahoma Senate floor and also lead the prayer on the chamber.
A former Oklahoman at the age of 44 dies. The great Wayman Tisdale died after a two-year battle with cancer. Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa hospital, Joy McGill, a hospital spokeswoman said.
A 6-foot-9 forward Tisdale forward from Tulsa played in teh NBA with Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. We was considered to be having a left-handed touch. During 1984 Olympics, he was with the US team when it won a gold medal. On his career, he averaged 15.3 points per game.
Aside from being a basketball start, after his career, he became an awar winning jazz musician who made several albums that made it to the Top 10 in the Billboard charts. He was inducted on the National Collegiate Basketball Hall Famer.
Senate Majority Leader Todd Lamb, announced Tisdale's death on the Oklahoma Senate floor and also lead the prayer on the chamber.
TNL GETS UPSET BY TEAM CANNON IN THE 17U DIVISION
In their first game of the day Sunday TNL took on Team Cannon. TNL got out of the gates fast as they built a 6-0 lead with just over a minute gone in the first quarter. For TNL Devon Knope came out on fire he was able to hit and make most of the shots that he put up in the first quarter as he lead the early scoring run in the first quarter.
Team Cannon was able to find there shot in the first quarter as they begun hitting shots from everywhere on the court. But that didn’t discourage TNL they kept playing defense. TNL did a good job of their substitution pattern as they usually rotated four to all five players at one time.
At the end of the first period the score was TNL 24 and Team Cannon 16.
In the second quarter TNL played an aggressive half court man to man defense. They were getting in the faces of the Team Cannon players and making it difficult for them to make clear passes by waving their hands and getting out and contesting shots.
At half time the score was TNL 43 and Team Canon 38.
Both teams came out and played with a lot of poise in the third quarter as neither team was going to give up. TNL looked to burn time off the clock as they were able to pass the ball around the three point arch for some time. Team Cannon had to put defenders out on the three point line to guard them.
Team Cannon was able to go on a scoring run in the third quarter and they took the lead 47-45 with just under 5:00 left to go in the third quarter. TNL didn’t panic as they stayed calm when Team Cannon when on a run in the third quarter. TNL put on the full court press late in the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter the score was TNL 56 and Team Cannon 57.
Devon Knope came up with some nice jump shots that went in. He also made some nice running lay ups that went in.
Team Cannon was able to go on a run and knock down jump shots in the fourth quarter. TNL was not able to get there shots to fall for most of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter TNL did get hot and made some shots to go in. they got within 3 68-71 with 2:58 left to go in regulation. TNL went on a run after the time out and they got within 1 point with 2:07 left to go. Devon Knope shot was falling for him as TNL looked to get him the ball on the offensive end.
There was a lot of intensity in this game showed by both teams. Both of the coaches were up coaching there kids and yelling positive instructions. And the players responded. The score was tied at 73 with 8.1 seconds to go in regulation and TNL called a time out to set up a final play.
The score was tied at 73 at the end of regulation. TNL kept the full court press on the whole over time period. Both teams played very aggressively they both applied pressure and guarded very well.
In a very hard fought game Team Cannon was able to upset TNL by the final of 87-80.
Team Cannon was able to find there shot in the first quarter as they begun hitting shots from everywhere on the court. But that didn’t discourage TNL they kept playing defense. TNL did a good job of their substitution pattern as they usually rotated four to all five players at one time.
At the end of the first period the score was TNL 24 and Team Cannon 16.
In the second quarter TNL played an aggressive half court man to man defense. They were getting in the faces of the Team Cannon players and making it difficult for them to make clear passes by waving their hands and getting out and contesting shots.
At half time the score was TNL 43 and Team Canon 38.
Both teams came out and played with a lot of poise in the third quarter as neither team was going to give up. TNL looked to burn time off the clock as they were able to pass the ball around the three point arch for some time. Team Cannon had to put defenders out on the three point line to guard them.
Team Cannon was able to go on a scoring run in the third quarter and they took the lead 47-45 with just under 5:00 left to go in the third quarter. TNL didn’t panic as they stayed calm when Team Cannon when on a run in the third quarter. TNL put on the full court press late in the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter the score was TNL 56 and Team Cannon 57.
Devon Knope came up with some nice jump shots that went in. He also made some nice running lay ups that went in.
Team Cannon was able to go on a run and knock down jump shots in the fourth quarter. TNL was not able to get there shots to fall for most of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter TNL did get hot and made some shots to go in. they got within 3 68-71 with 2:58 left to go in regulation. TNL went on a run after the time out and they got within 1 point with 2:07 left to go. Devon Knope shot was falling for him as TNL looked to get him the ball on the offensive end.
There was a lot of intensity in this game showed by both teams. Both of the coaches were up coaching there kids and yelling positive instructions. And the players responded. The score was tied at 73 with 8.1 seconds to go in regulation and TNL called a time out to set up a final play.
The score was tied at 73 at the end of regulation. TNL kept the full court press on the whole over time period. Both teams played very aggressively they both applied pressure and guarded very well.
In a very hard fought game Team Cannon was able to upset TNL by the final of 87-80.
IT WAS THE P-TOWN BALLERS TAKING ON THE TNL EXPRESS IN 16U DIVISION
In the first game of the day it was the P-Town Ballers taking on the TNL Express. Both of these teams really got the ball up and down the court to start the game out.
Both teams were diving after loose balls and going after rebounds on both ends of the court. At the end of the first quarter the score was TNL 21 and the P-Town Ballers 12.
The P-Town Ballers came out and played half court man to man defense in the second quarter. They were not able to slow down TNL because TNL was able to make most of the shots that they were putting up.
In a half that TNL was able to make almost everything that they put up they led by 20 at the half. The score was 42-22.
In the third quarter and fourth quarters TNL really put it on the P-Town Ballers. TNL was just hitting all of their shots they were putting up.
The P-Town Ballers didn’t have an answer for the shot production of TNL. TNL continued their dominance in the fourth quarter. The final of the game was TNL 72 and P Town Ballers 45.
Both teams were diving after loose balls and going after rebounds on both ends of the court. At the end of the first quarter the score was TNL 21 and the P-Town Ballers 12.
The P-Town Ballers came out and played half court man to man defense in the second quarter. They were not able to slow down TNL because TNL was able to make most of the shots that they were putting up.
In a half that TNL was able to make almost everything that they put up they led by 20 at the half. The score was 42-22.
In the third quarter and fourth quarters TNL really put it on the P-Town Ballers. TNL was just hitting all of their shots they were putting up.
The P-Town Ballers didn’t have an answer for the shot production of TNL. TNL continued their dominance in the fourth quarter. The final of the game was TNL 72 and P Town Ballers 45.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
CAMPBELLSVILLE GAINS NAIA SERIES BERTH
FROM ESPN.com news services
Bryan Fuller told his Campbellsville University coaches he was never going to play baseball professionally, so he was willing to sacrifice his arm.
With much debate and reluctance, but knowing what was at stake and what their other options were, his coaches acquiesced.
Fuller, a senior, ended up pitching 21 shutout innings in 26 hours as Campbellsville (Ky.) advanced to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, where on Friday it will face Lee (Tenn.).
Campbellsville had fallen into the loser's bracket in its NAIA super regional, and needed to win three straight to get the World Series berth. Against Lindenwood on Thursday, Fuller, who throws sidearm, pitched three scoreless innings for the save.
With just 25 minutes between games, Campbellsville's coaches decided to start Fuller in the next game, against Kansas Wesleyan, which had won 26 straight. Fuller, according to assistant coach Jake McKinley, "is an undersized kid" who had started only once previously in four seasons.
"We were nearly out of pitching and he looked comfortable," McKinley said. "We told Fuller we would need him to make his second career start and if he could give us three or four innings, that would be great, and it was in the biggest game in the history of our program against a team that had won 26 straight games."
Fuller ended up pitching a complete game as Campbellsville snapped Kansas Wesleyan's winning streak with a 11-0 victory.
That put Campbellsville in the final. According to McKinley, the coaches were prepared to start their No. 1 pitcher on two days' rest, but Fuller wanted the start.
"We told him no way, because we didn't want to hurt him ... He just threw 12 innings the day before," McKinley said. "He told us that he was a senior that will never play pro ball and he was going to be an accountant in just a few weeks. He said he didn't care about his arm and told us he will give us a chance to win."
And he did, using just 77 pitches in his second consecutive complete-game shutout as Campbellsville (39-10) beat Kansas Wesleyan again 4-0, giving the Tigers their first NAIA World Series appearance in school history.
"We're not sure yet, but we are not opposed to using him in any role," McKinley said. "At this point, we'd be fools not to start him."
Bryan Fuller told his Campbellsville University coaches he was never going to play baseball professionally, so he was willing to sacrifice his arm.
With much debate and reluctance, but knowing what was at stake and what their other options were, his coaches acquiesced.
Fuller, a senior, ended up pitching 21 shutout innings in 26 hours as Campbellsville (Ky.) advanced to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, where on Friday it will face Lee (Tenn.).
Campbellsville had fallen into the loser's bracket in its NAIA super regional, and needed to win three straight to get the World Series berth. Against Lindenwood on Thursday, Fuller, who throws sidearm, pitched three scoreless innings for the save.
With just 25 minutes between games, Campbellsville's coaches decided to start Fuller in the next game, against Kansas Wesleyan, which had won 26 straight. Fuller, according to assistant coach Jake McKinley, "is an undersized kid" who had started only once previously in four seasons.
"We were nearly out of pitching and he looked comfortable," McKinley said. "We told Fuller we would need him to make his second career start and if he could give us three or four innings, that would be great, and it was in the biggest game in the history of our program against a team that had won 26 straight games."
Fuller ended up pitching a complete game as Campbellsville snapped Kansas Wesleyan's winning streak with a 11-0 victory.
That put Campbellsville in the final. According to McKinley, the coaches were prepared to start their No. 1 pitcher on two days' rest, but Fuller wanted the start.
"We told him no way, because we didn't want to hurt him ... He just threw 12 innings the day before," McKinley said. "He told us that he was a senior that will never play pro ball and he was going to be an accountant in just a few weeks. He said he didn't care about his arm and told us he will give us a chance to win."
And he did, using just 77 pitches in his second consecutive complete-game shutout as Campbellsville (39-10) beat Kansas Wesleyan again 4-0, giving the Tigers their first NAIA World Series appearance in school history.
"We're not sure yet, but we are not opposed to using him in any role," McKinley said. "At this point, we'd be fools not to start him."
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA DROPPING 'FIGHING SIOX' NICKNAME, LOGO
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has agreed to drop the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo, a move intended to resolve a decades-long campus dispute about whether the name demeans American Indians.
The name and logo, which is a profile of an American Indian man with feathers and streaks of paint on his face, could still be saved if North Dakota's Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes agree by Oct. 1 to give the university permission to use them for at least 30 years.
However, tribal officials say that possibility is remote. Unless the name and logo receive tribal endorsement, they will be retired for good on Aug. 1, 2010.
The board, which met Thursday at Dickinson State University, voted 8-0 to retire the logo and nickname. UND President Robert Kelley began making plans for replacements.
"This has been a long-standing tradition at UND, and I think the board action now instructs the university to develop new traditions," he said.
Board member Grant Shaft, who is chairman of a committee that has been studying the issue, said the move may help UND's likely application to join the Summit League, an 11-member NCAA Division I conference that is seeking a 12th school.
Tom Douple, the Summit League's commissioner, has said the University of North Dakota won't be considered for membership as long as the nickname and logo dispute festered.
The education board's action does not suggest any blueprint for UND to follow in choosing a new nickname and logo.
Richie Smith, the president of the Board of Higher Education, said the issue would be left to the campus, and jokingly suggested "Moose" as a new nickname. Kelley said a transition team will be appointed to oversee the process.
"What this permits the University of North Dakota to do is to start a marketing initiative," Kelley said. "Over time, I think we would see enhancement of our revenue structure for athletic programs. I think we would see the enhancement of fan interest."
UND sports teams have been known as the Fighting Sioux since 1930, when the moniker replaced Flickertails.
Arguments against the nickname's racial origins have flared regularly for decades. Its supporters say the name is intended to honor North Dakota's Sioux tribes, while critics say it is demeaning and fosters racial tension on the university's campus in Grand Forks, in northeastern North Dakota.
The debate came to a head in September 2005, when the NCAA declared Fighting Sioux as "hostile and abusive" to American Indians and said UND would be barred from hosting NCAA postseason tournaments if the school continued using it.
The Board of Higher Education then sued the NCAA, arguing the organization had not followed its own rules in issuing its edict. The lawsuit was settled in October 2007; its terms gave the University of North Dakota permission to continue using the nickname and logo if the school could get approval from the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake tribes by November 2010.
Ron His Horse Is Thunder, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and a fervent opponent of the nickname and logo, cheered the board's decision.
"It's not an easy step," His Horse Is Thunder said. "And it is full of controversy. But I think every great step in this country was filled with controversy ... The civil rights movements in the '60s didn't happen with a whimper."
American Indian backers of the nickname, who have been campaigning on the reservations to garner support for it, asked the Board of Higher Education before Thursday's vote to back the nickname and logo. Many residents of both reservations take pride in "Fighting Sioux," they said.
North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has agreed to drop the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo, a move intended to resolve a decades-long campus dispute about whether the name demeans American Indians.
The name and logo, which is a profile of an American Indian man with feathers and streaks of paint on his face, could still be saved if North Dakota's Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes agree by Oct. 1 to give the university permission to use them for at least 30 years.
However, tribal officials say that possibility is remote. Unless the name and logo receive tribal endorsement, they will be retired for good on Aug. 1, 2010.
The board, which met Thursday at Dickinson State University, voted 8-0 to retire the logo and nickname. UND President Robert Kelley began making plans for replacements.
"This has been a long-standing tradition at UND, and I think the board action now instructs the university to develop new traditions," he said.
Board member Grant Shaft, who is chairman of a committee that has been studying the issue, said the move may help UND's likely application to join the Summit League, an 11-member NCAA Division I conference that is seeking a 12th school.
Tom Douple, the Summit League's commissioner, has said the University of North Dakota won't be considered for membership as long as the nickname and logo dispute festered.
The education board's action does not suggest any blueprint for UND to follow in choosing a new nickname and logo.
Richie Smith, the president of the Board of Higher Education, said the issue would be left to the campus, and jokingly suggested "Moose" as a new nickname. Kelley said a transition team will be appointed to oversee the process.
"What this permits the University of North Dakota to do is to start a marketing initiative," Kelley said. "Over time, I think we would see enhancement of our revenue structure for athletic programs. I think we would see the enhancement of fan interest."
UND sports teams have been known as the Fighting Sioux since 1930, when the moniker replaced Flickertails.
Arguments against the nickname's racial origins have flared regularly for decades. Its supporters say the name is intended to honor North Dakota's Sioux tribes, while critics say it is demeaning and fosters racial tension on the university's campus in Grand Forks, in northeastern North Dakota.
The debate came to a head in September 2005, when the NCAA declared Fighting Sioux as "hostile and abusive" to American Indians and said UND would be barred from hosting NCAA postseason tournaments if the school continued using it.
The Board of Higher Education then sued the NCAA, arguing the organization had not followed its own rules in issuing its edict. The lawsuit was settled in October 2007; its terms gave the University of North Dakota permission to continue using the nickname and logo if the school could get approval from the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake tribes by November 2010.
Ron His Horse Is Thunder, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and a fervent opponent of the nickname and logo, cheered the board's decision.
"It's not an easy step," His Horse Is Thunder said. "And it is full of controversy. But I think every great step in this country was filled with controversy ... The civil rights movements in the '60s didn't happen with a whimper."
American Indian backers of the nickname, who have been campaigning on the reservations to garner support for it, asked the Board of Higher Education before Thursday's vote to back the nickname and logo. Many residents of both reservations take pride in "Fighting Sioux," they said.
TNL TOOK ON TC ELITE
TNL Took on TC Elite coming into this contest both of these teams is undefeated. This game got off to a frantic pace.
TC Elite got out to a quick start TNL didn’t panic. TNL started out slow but then they picked it up mid way through the first quarter. It took TNL a little bit to get going but they were able to find their shots in the first quarter.
TNL started playing a zone defense. They didn’t want TC Elite to get the ball up the court. They applied pressure in the full court. Jauson Sewer has able knock down shot in the early goings.
TC Elite was able to take it to TNL a little bit in the first quarter. Both of these teams were matched up pretty evenly in this contest.
At the end of the first quarter the score was TNL 17 and TC Elite 23.
The second quarter TNL was not able find the basket in the early goings of the quarter. TC Elite was able to go on a little bit of a run. TNL didn’t panic they kept on playing hard.
TNL was able to get into a running game with the TC Elite team. TNL was able to score some quick baskets. TNL caught up to TC Elite with just over 3:00 left in regulation.
The first half went up and down the court. TC Elite came out with a quick lead and that didn’t seem to faze TNL. TNL made a comeback late in the first half. The score was tied and there were several lead changes throughout the later part of the second half.
At half time the score was TNL 35 and TC Elite 37.
Both of these teams played with a lot of emotion in the game. Both of these teams kept the pressure on each other in the second half.
Both of these teams went back and forth throughout the game. Jasper Duberry put on a scoring show late in the third quarter as he was able to come up with some nice shots.
Both of these teams have gone after each other the whole game. Neither team gave up. This game has been nip and tuck throughout the game.
Spenser Cummings has done a nice job in this game. He has really done a good job so far in this game of getting his team into this game. He has made smart decisions.
This game has come down to the wire. Just was you though that one team was able to go on a run here come the other and they stop them dead in there tracks.
At the end of regulation the score was tied at 63 apiece. Both of these teams kept going at each dunning the over time session.
TNL was able come down and make shots in the overtime period. They were able to come away with the victory. The final of the game was TNL 78-71.
I was joined at this tournament by the Czar of Twin Cities Boy's Hoops. You can read about his thoughts of the Super Regional here.
TC Elite got out to a quick start TNL didn’t panic. TNL started out slow but then they picked it up mid way through the first quarter. It took TNL a little bit to get going but they were able to find their shots in the first quarter.
TNL started playing a zone defense. They didn’t want TC Elite to get the ball up the court. They applied pressure in the full court. Jauson Sewer has able knock down shot in the early goings.
TC Elite was able to take it to TNL a little bit in the first quarter. Both of these teams were matched up pretty evenly in this contest.
At the end of the first quarter the score was TNL 17 and TC Elite 23.
The second quarter TNL was not able find the basket in the early goings of the quarter. TC Elite was able to go on a little bit of a run. TNL didn’t panic they kept on playing hard.
TNL was able to get into a running game with the TC Elite team. TNL was able to score some quick baskets. TNL caught up to TC Elite with just over 3:00 left in regulation.
The first half went up and down the court. TC Elite came out with a quick lead and that didn’t seem to faze TNL. TNL made a comeback late in the first half. The score was tied and there were several lead changes throughout the later part of the second half.
At half time the score was TNL 35 and TC Elite 37.
Both of these teams played with a lot of emotion in the game. Both of these teams kept the pressure on each other in the second half.
Both of these teams went back and forth throughout the game. Jasper Duberry put on a scoring show late in the third quarter as he was able to come up with some nice shots.
Both of these teams have gone after each other the whole game. Neither team gave up. This game has been nip and tuck throughout the game.
Spenser Cummings has done a nice job in this game. He has really done a good job so far in this game of getting his team into this game. He has made smart decisions.
This game has come down to the wire. Just was you though that one team was able to go on a run here come the other and they stop them dead in there tracks.
At the end of regulation the score was tied at 63 apiece. Both of these teams kept going at each dunning the over time session.
TNL was able come down and make shots in the overtime period. They were able to come away with the victory. The final of the game was TNL 78-71.
I was joined at this tournament by the Czar of Twin Cities Boy's Hoops. You can read about his thoughts of the Super Regional here.
TNL TOOK OUT THE SIZZLE FROM THE START
TNL took on the Minnesota Sizzle. TNL came out on fire as they were able to get out to a 29-9 lead to start the game off. Everyone was able get there shot going early on. At the end of the first quarter the score was 33-10. The Sizzle didn’t sizzle in the start of the game. TNL really was able to take it to them.
In the first half TNL came out on a tear and they really were able to put the Sizzle to sleep from the get go.
TNL played half court zone defense in the first half. Everyone from TNL was able to hit their shots.
At half time the score was TNL 64 and the Sizzle 24.
As the second half got underway TNL continued where they left off in the first half as they were able to hit almost any shot they wanted to.
At the end of the third quarter the score was TNL 89 and the Sizzzle 28.
This by far was a total team effort TNL was able to come away with the commanding 103-45 victory over the Sizzle.
In the first half TNL came out on a tear and they really were able to put the Sizzle to sleep from the get go.
TNL played half court zone defense in the first half. Everyone from TNL was able to hit their shots.
At half time the score was TNL 64 and the Sizzle 24.
As the second half got underway TNL continued where they left off in the first half as they were able to hit almost any shot they wanted to.
At the end of the third quarter the score was TNL 89 and the Sizzzle 28.
This by far was a total team effort TNL was able to come away with the commanding 103-45 victory over the Sizzle.
MINNESOTA SHARKS TOOK ON TEAM CANNON
As this game got started both of these teams got off to a fast start at they both got there shots going early. The Sharks looked to push the ball up the court from the start of the game. Both of these teams were able to really shoot the ball in the first quarter as they both were able to find the basket early and often.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Sharks 20 Team Cannon 21.
Team Cannon came out and started playing zone defense in the second quarter. The Sharks were able to counter that by being able to play tough defense throughout the first half.
Both of these teams were able to run a little bit in the second quarter. Both of these teams went at it in the first half. Neither of these gave up in the first half.
As the first half winded down the score at half time was Sharks 49 and Team Cannon 43.
Both of these teams came out ready to play in the second half. Team Cannon continued to play zone defense in the second half.
For the Sharks Cooper Johnson has really played well. He has been able to find his shot early in the game. He has been able to make some good defensive stops.
At the end of the third quarter the Sharks had a 69-62 lead over Team Cannon.
Both of these teams really went at it in the fourth quarter. Neither of these teams was going to let the other team get in there way. The Sharks kept looking to get the ball up and down the court.
Both teams continued to go after loose balls and they were to get there shots going. Team Cannon came close in the end but they were not able to hold on. The Sharks got the 94-81victory.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Sharks 20 Team Cannon 21.
Team Cannon came out and started playing zone defense in the second quarter. The Sharks were able to counter that by being able to play tough defense throughout the first half.
Both of these teams were able to run a little bit in the second quarter. Both of these teams went at it in the first half. Neither of these gave up in the first half.
As the first half winded down the score at half time was Sharks 49 and Team Cannon 43.
Both of these teams came out ready to play in the second half. Team Cannon continued to play zone defense in the second half.
For the Sharks Cooper Johnson has really played well. He has been able to find his shot early in the game. He has been able to make some good defensive stops.
At the end of the third quarter the Sharks had a 69-62 lead over Team Cannon.
Both of these teams really went at it in the fourth quarter. Neither of these teams was going to let the other team get in there way. The Sharks kept looking to get the ball up and down the court.
Both teams continued to go after loose balls and they were to get there shots going. Team Cannon came close in the end but they were not able to hold on. The Sharks got the 94-81victory.
LAWSUIT AGAINST ATLANTIC YARDS REJECTED
By Associated Press
Developer Bruce Ratner says he is ready to break ground on a Brooklyn arena for the New Jersey Nets this year after an appeals court struck down a challenge to his Atlantic Yards project.
Ratner says he plans to begin building the $800 million arena this year after issuing bonds to finance the project this fall.
The state Supreme Court's appellate division on Friday struck down an opponents' lawsuit that sought to stop the state from using eminent domain to seize property where the 22-acre Atlantic Yards project is slated to be built. The opponents say they will appeal.
The $4 billion project includes an office tower and more than 15 apartment buildings. Opposition lawsuits and financing difficulties have delayed the project for years.
Developer Bruce Ratner says he is ready to break ground on a Brooklyn arena for the New Jersey Nets this year after an appeals court struck down a challenge to his Atlantic Yards project.
Ratner says he plans to begin building the $800 million arena this year after issuing bonds to finance the project this fall.
The state Supreme Court's appellate division on Friday struck down an opponents' lawsuit that sought to stop the state from using eminent domain to seize property where the 22-acre Atlantic Yards project is slated to be built. The opponents say they will appeal.
The $4 billion project includes an office tower and more than 15 apartment buildings. Opposition lawsuits and financing difficulties have delayed the project for years.
TNL TOOK ON THE MINNESOTA COMETS
In the second game of the day it was TNL going up against the Minnesota Comets. TNL opened the game playing tough man to man full court defense.
TNL was able to get a jump on the Comets in the early going. Devon Knope was able to come out strong and make some shots in the early going. He also played tough defense.
The Comets were able to go on a mini run in the first quarter. At the end of the first half the score was TNL 23 and Minnesota Comets 22.
Jasper Duberry played well throughout the first half as he was able find his shot and was able to make a few good shots in the first half. Jauson Sewer was also able to find his shot in the early goings.
Jauson Sewer and Devon Knope have really done a nice job so far in the first half of complementing each other’s style of play. Both of these guys know the court so well and they know where they are supposed to be on the court. TNL was able to go on a little run at the end of the second quarter.
At half time the score was TNL 46 and Minnesota Comets 39.
As the second half got underway both of these teams came out ready to play. Devon Knope continued to show how aggressively he could play by going out and diving on the ground for loose balls and driving to the basket no matter how many people are there he knew that he wanted to get the ball and shooting the ball. He did a good job of making shots.
Both of these teams went at each other in the third quarter. TNL was able to continue to shine in the third quarter as they had a lead of 61-47 at the end of the third quarter.
Both of these teams continued to go hard after each other in the fourth quarter. Near the middle of the fourth quarter the Minnesota Comets were able to go on a run. They got the score within 10 points 66-76 with 2:30 left to go in regulation.
Even though the Minnesota Comets tried to make a comeback toward the end of the game they were unsuccessful as TNL was able to come away with the 81-71 victory.
TNL was able to get a jump on the Comets in the early going. Devon Knope was able to come out strong and make some shots in the early going. He also played tough defense.
The Comets were able to go on a mini run in the first quarter. At the end of the first half the score was TNL 23 and Minnesota Comets 22.
Jasper Duberry played well throughout the first half as he was able find his shot and was able to make a few good shots in the first half. Jauson Sewer was also able to find his shot in the early goings.
Jauson Sewer and Devon Knope have really done a nice job so far in the first half of complementing each other’s style of play. Both of these guys know the court so well and they know where they are supposed to be on the court. TNL was able to go on a little run at the end of the second quarter.
At half time the score was TNL 46 and Minnesota Comets 39.
As the second half got underway both of these teams came out ready to play. Devon Knope continued to show how aggressively he could play by going out and diving on the ground for loose balls and driving to the basket no matter how many people are there he knew that he wanted to get the ball and shooting the ball. He did a good job of making shots.
Both of these teams went at each other in the third quarter. TNL was able to continue to shine in the third quarter as they had a lead of 61-47 at the end of the third quarter.
Both of these teams continued to go hard after each other in the fourth quarter. Near the middle of the fourth quarter the Minnesota Comets were able to go on a run. They got the score within 10 points 66-76 with 2:30 left to go in regulation.
Even though the Minnesota Comets tried to make a comeback toward the end of the game they were unsuccessful as TNL was able to come away with the 81-71 victory.
TNL EXPRESS HOST THE AAU SUPER REGIONAL
The TNL Express AAU program hosted the AAU Boys super regional at Champlin Park. In the first game of the tournament it was the Minnesota Sharks taking on the Triple Threat.
The Sharks came out and started playing in a zone defense. They were not able to stop many shots in the early goings as Triple Threat was able to knock down shots in the opening goings.
Triple Threat looked to push the ball in the first half. They were able to get out and get a jump on the Sharks from the jump.
At the end of the first quarter the score was the Sharks 20 and Triple Threat 9.
Brandon Schaust from Triple Threat really went to work in the low post he had some good post up moves and was able to find his shot in the low post. He usually was double teamed then he got the ball in the block.
Both teams tried to spread the court in the first half. Both teams were able to go at each other in the first half. In this tournament they were playing 4 8:00 minute quarters.
At half time the score was Minnesota Sharks 38 and Triple Threat 23.
As the second half got underway both teams really came out ready to play. They also were able to get the ball up the court.
Triple Threat came out and played zone defense in the second half. They had a hard time containing the basketball. The Sharks were on fire as they were able to basically run away with the game in the third quarter.
Each of these teams played hard the whole entire game.
At the end of the third quarter the score was The Minnesota Sharks 61 and Triple Threat 41.
Triple Threat played in a half court defense for most of the second half as they didn’t feel the need to use the full court press.
The Sharks really went to town on Triple Threat they were just able to make their shots and they were able to come away with the 76-49 victory.
The Sharks came out and started playing in a zone defense. They were not able to stop many shots in the early goings as Triple Threat was able to knock down shots in the opening goings.
Triple Threat looked to push the ball in the first half. They were able to get out and get a jump on the Sharks from the jump.
At the end of the first quarter the score was the Sharks 20 and Triple Threat 9.
Brandon Schaust from Triple Threat really went to work in the low post he had some good post up moves and was able to find his shot in the low post. He usually was double teamed then he got the ball in the block.
Both teams tried to spread the court in the first half. Both teams were able to go at each other in the first half. In this tournament they were playing 4 8:00 minute quarters.
At half time the score was Minnesota Sharks 38 and Triple Threat 23.
As the second half got underway both teams really came out ready to play. They also were able to get the ball up the court.
Triple Threat came out and played zone defense in the second half. They had a hard time containing the basketball. The Sharks were on fire as they were able to basically run away with the game in the third quarter.
Each of these teams played hard the whole entire game.
At the end of the third quarter the score was The Minnesota Sharks 61 and Triple Threat 41.
Triple Threat played in a half court defense for most of the second half as they didn’t feel the need to use the full court press.
The Sharks really went to town on Triple Threat they were just able to make their shots and they were able to come away with the 76-49 victory.
Friday, May 15, 2009
MINNESOTA TRANSITIONS' NOREEN FINDS RECRUITING EVENTFUL
By DAVID La VAQUE, Star Tribune
Minnesota Transitions Charter School forward Kevin Noreen can share fun stories from the college basketball recruiting trail.
He received pointers from NBA legend John Stockton on his unofficial visit to Gonzaga. And he shattered a backboard on his unofficial visit to Boston College. Noreen, a 6-9 1/2 junior who is poised to set the boys' state record for career points next season, has received scholarship offers from both of those schools. He plans to attend camps this summer and potentially land offers from Marquette, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
"Since eighth grade my goal was to get a Division I scholarship," he said.
A varsity player since seventh grade, Noreen averaged 32.8 points per game as a junior last season, bringing his career total to 2,881 points. Cody Schilling of Ellsworth graduated in 2008 with the record of 3,428 points. Noreen could pass him mid-season and even might challenge the 4,000-point plateau.
"I just want to win," said Noreen, who lost to Schilling and Ellsworth in the 2008 Class 1A championship game. "Scoring is my role on the team but I want to be a team player."
He also has made unofficial visits to Butler, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Wisconsin-Green Bay. Noreen plans to narrow his list to five schools in June and decide in July.
Jerry Noreen, Kevin's father, said the Gophers "are keeping tabs on him, but right now they don't see him as their style of player."
Minnesota Transitions Charter School forward Kevin Noreen can share fun stories from the college basketball recruiting trail.
He received pointers from NBA legend John Stockton on his unofficial visit to Gonzaga. And he shattered a backboard on his unofficial visit to Boston College. Noreen, a 6-9 1/2 junior who is poised to set the boys' state record for career points next season, has received scholarship offers from both of those schools. He plans to attend camps this summer and potentially land offers from Marquette, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
"Since eighth grade my goal was to get a Division I scholarship," he said.
A varsity player since seventh grade, Noreen averaged 32.8 points per game as a junior last season, bringing his career total to 2,881 points. Cody Schilling of Ellsworth graduated in 2008 with the record of 3,428 points. Noreen could pass him mid-season and even might challenge the 4,000-point plateau.
"I just want to win," said Noreen, who lost to Schilling and Ellsworth in the 2008 Class 1A championship game. "Scoring is my role on the team but I want to be a team player."
He also has made unofficial visits to Butler, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Wisconsin-Green Bay. Noreen plans to narrow his list to five schools in June and decide in July.
Jerry Noreen, Kevin's father, said the Gophers "are keeping tabs on him, but right now they don't see him as their style of player."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
SPORTS BRINGS STUDENTS TOGETHER
BY RAY RICHARDSON OF THE ST PAUL PIONEER PRESS
Whenever Harun Abda faces a challenge, even while trying to figure out music on the radio, his easygoing demeanor takes over.
Few situations overwhelm Abda. All the Fridley distance runner has to do is think about is the traumatic escape he and his family made three years ago from their homeland in Ethiopia to the United States.
In Abda's mind, his stress level already has been tested.
"The serious things in life I don't take too serious," he said.
Abda is not just kicking back every day in his new country. The senior found a new passion in track and field at Fridley High School. He never ran track in Ethiopia, but after three years at Fridley, he has become a coveted recruit by NCAA Division I schools with prominent track and field programs.
Besides the University of Minnesota, Abda has scholarship offers from Stanford, Florida, Miami (Fla.), New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa State, Nebraska, Syracuse and Akron. More offers could roll in if Abda continues to improve on his time in the 800 meters, his primary event.
Abda finished second at last year's Minnesota Class AA meet with a time of 1 minute, 50.7 seconds — just .38 seconds behind champion Zach Mellon of Buffalo (1:49.69). Mellon, a senior, has won the Class AA 800 meters the past two years but considers Abda his top rival for a third consecutive title.
"Without being disrespectful to the other competition, he's the only person that can push that kind of pace,"
Mellon said of Abda.
Mellon, however, would not have heard of Abda if Abda and his family had not been able to leave Ethiopia.
The family was living in Shashamane, a town of about 94,000 people in central Ethiopia. Abda said his father, Mohamad, was arrested in 2006 for "belonging to a different political party." When Mohamad was released, he and his wife, Mako, rounded up Harun and his 13 brothers and sisters living with them to catch a bus to Nairobi, Kenya.
Abda knew his family didn't have passports to cross the border into Kenya, but Mohamad arranged the trip anyway. The first border patrol check gave Abda an indication of things to come.
"We had to get off the bus before the checkpoint and hide, then we would get back on the bus," Abda said. "We did that to avoid the police."
Abda and his family had to pull off the deceptive move five more times before reaching a safe area in Kenya. Even then, Abda said the family had to walk 10 miles to reach Nairobi.
Abda didn't want to elaborate on what might have happened had his father or other family members been detained. The "consequences," as Abda put it, would have meant a return trip to Ethiopia and an uncertain future.
Abda's father had additional money with him just to make sure the family made it through to Nairobi.
"While we were on and off the bus, we paid money to some of the police in Kenya so we would be safe," Abda said.
Abda and several family members flew from Nairobi to the United States, eventually settling on St. Paul's East Side, where Abda's older brother, Salahadeen, was living with his family. Abda said three of his siblings chose to stay in Nairobi.
When the family moved to Fridley, Abda's world opened up even more. Trying out for the track team helped him meet new friends and adjust to America's high school culture. His English improved, and he learned more about a music phenomenon known as "hip-hop."
"At first, I didn't understand the music at all or what they were talking about," Abda said. "I used to just listen to the beats. Now I listen to the beats and the words more."
Abda's iPod also includes country music and classic rock, tunes he relaxes with while warming up before meets. At the Hamline Elite Meet in April, he won the 400 meters with a time of 49.40 seconds. He also won the 400 (49.10 seconds) and 800 (1:58.20) at the true team sectionals last week.
Abda made such an impression at last year's state meet with his close finish to Mellon that he was invited to the Nike Nationals last summer at Greensboro, N.C. He ran the 800 in 1:52.7, igniting interest from college scouts.
Mellon also has kept watch on Abda, monitoring his times this season. The two have remained in touch since last year's state meet after Abda found Mellon on Facebook. They exchange e-mails periodically and developed a casual friendship.
"A lot of people with his kind of talent would be bigheaded, but he's not that way," said Mellon, who owns the state record in the 800 of 1:48.64. "He's a humble guy. He's very respectful when we communicate. It's a pretty cool experience to come across a person like him with his background. I would like to know more about that."
Mellon signed a national letter of intent to attend Wisconsin. Abda said he would wait until after the season before making his college choice. That he has an opportunity to get his college education paid for occasionally makes him sentimental.
He remembers how close he came to not being so fortunate.
"It's a good feeling to know that I'll be able to go to college and one day help my family," Abda said. "I just want to make my family proud. I don't want to go to school too far away. I want to stay close to my family if I can."
After the route Abda took to get here, who could blame him?
Whenever Harun Abda faces a challenge, even while trying to figure out music on the radio, his easygoing demeanor takes over.
Few situations overwhelm Abda. All the Fridley distance runner has to do is think about is the traumatic escape he and his family made three years ago from their homeland in Ethiopia to the United States.
In Abda's mind, his stress level already has been tested.
"The serious things in life I don't take too serious," he said.
Abda is not just kicking back every day in his new country. The senior found a new passion in track and field at Fridley High School. He never ran track in Ethiopia, but after three years at Fridley, he has become a coveted recruit by NCAA Division I schools with prominent track and field programs.
Besides the University of Minnesota, Abda has scholarship offers from Stanford, Florida, Miami (Fla.), New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa State, Nebraska, Syracuse and Akron. More offers could roll in if Abda continues to improve on his time in the 800 meters, his primary event.
Abda finished second at last year's Minnesota Class AA meet with a time of 1 minute, 50.7 seconds — just .38 seconds behind champion Zach Mellon of Buffalo (1:49.69). Mellon, a senior, has won the Class AA 800 meters the past two years but considers Abda his top rival for a third consecutive title.
"Without being disrespectful to the other competition, he's the only person that can push that kind of pace,"
Mellon said of Abda.
Mellon, however, would not have heard of Abda if Abda and his family had not been able to leave Ethiopia.
The family was living in Shashamane, a town of about 94,000 people in central Ethiopia. Abda said his father, Mohamad, was arrested in 2006 for "belonging to a different political party." When Mohamad was released, he and his wife, Mako, rounded up Harun and his 13 brothers and sisters living with them to catch a bus to Nairobi, Kenya.
Abda knew his family didn't have passports to cross the border into Kenya, but Mohamad arranged the trip anyway. The first border patrol check gave Abda an indication of things to come.
"We had to get off the bus before the checkpoint and hide, then we would get back on the bus," Abda said. "We did that to avoid the police."
Abda and his family had to pull off the deceptive move five more times before reaching a safe area in Kenya. Even then, Abda said the family had to walk 10 miles to reach Nairobi.
Abda didn't want to elaborate on what might have happened had his father or other family members been detained. The "consequences," as Abda put it, would have meant a return trip to Ethiopia and an uncertain future.
Abda's father had additional money with him just to make sure the family made it through to Nairobi.
"While we were on and off the bus, we paid money to some of the police in Kenya so we would be safe," Abda said.
Abda and several family members flew from Nairobi to the United States, eventually settling on St. Paul's East Side, where Abda's older brother, Salahadeen, was living with his family. Abda said three of his siblings chose to stay in Nairobi.
When the family moved to Fridley, Abda's world opened up even more. Trying out for the track team helped him meet new friends and adjust to America's high school culture. His English improved, and he learned more about a music phenomenon known as "hip-hop."
"At first, I didn't understand the music at all or what they were talking about," Abda said. "I used to just listen to the beats. Now I listen to the beats and the words more."
Abda's iPod also includes country music and classic rock, tunes he relaxes with while warming up before meets. At the Hamline Elite Meet in April, he won the 400 meters with a time of 49.40 seconds. He also won the 400 (49.10 seconds) and 800 (1:58.20) at the true team sectionals last week.
Abda made such an impression at last year's state meet with his close finish to Mellon that he was invited to the Nike Nationals last summer at Greensboro, N.C. He ran the 800 in 1:52.7, igniting interest from college scouts.
Mellon also has kept watch on Abda, monitoring his times this season. The two have remained in touch since last year's state meet after Abda found Mellon on Facebook. They exchange e-mails periodically and developed a casual friendship.
"A lot of people with his kind of talent would be bigheaded, but he's not that way," said Mellon, who owns the state record in the 800 of 1:48.64. "He's a humble guy. He's very respectful when we communicate. It's a pretty cool experience to come across a person like him with his background. I would like to know more about that."
Mellon signed a national letter of intent to attend Wisconsin. Abda said he would wait until after the season before making his college choice. That he has an opportunity to get his college education paid for occasionally makes him sentimental.
He remembers how close he came to not being so fortunate.
"It's a good feeling to know that I'll be able to go to college and one day help my family," Abda said. "I just want to make my family proud. I don't want to go to school too far away. I want to stay close to my family if I can."
After the route Abda took to get here, who could blame him?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
KAMMRON TAYLOR BASKETBALL CAMP
Minneapolis native Kammron Taylor is having a basketball camp check it out.
DE PAUL TENNIS COACH MARK ARDIZZONE NAMED WILSON/ITA MIDWEST REGIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
After leading the 2009 DePaul women’s tennis team to a program-best runner-up finish at the BIG EAST Conference Championships, head coach Mark Ardizzone has been named Wilson/ITA Midwest Region Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Ardizzone has shown what it takes to be a successful coach as he has molded and guided Blue Demon tennis into one of the premier programs in the country. This season the women’s tennis squad reached a program-high No. 26 on the ITA Division I rankings, while remaining in the top-75 all season long. After taking second place in the BIG EAST Championships, he was named the conferences’ Coach of the Year as selected by his peers.
An accomplished recruiter, Coach Ardizzone has brought to DePaul some of the highest quality talent women’s tennis has to offer. Dunja Antunovic, Anna Redecsi, and Selma Salkovic were all name BIG EAST Players of the Week, as well as being named to the All-Conference team along with Katarina Milinkovic. In addition, freshman Gia McKnight had a break-out season, posting a team-high 30-8 singles record.
Off the court, Ardizzone has instilled a high standard of academic integrity and community involvement in his student-athletes. Recently, Antunovic earned the ITA/Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. As a team, they were recognized by the NCAA for having an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top-ten percent of all Division I women’s tennis teams. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
“Coach truly deserves this award,” praised Antunovic, “He displays extraordinary commitment to his team every day and it is great that he was acknowledged for his hard word and dedication.”
The team ended the season with a 21-5 record, while posting a 5-2 record in the BIG EAST.
Ardizzone has shown what it takes to be a successful coach as he has molded and guided Blue Demon tennis into one of the premier programs in the country. This season the women’s tennis squad reached a program-high No. 26 on the ITA Division I rankings, while remaining in the top-75 all season long. After taking second place in the BIG EAST Championships, he was named the conferences’ Coach of the Year as selected by his peers.
An accomplished recruiter, Coach Ardizzone has brought to DePaul some of the highest quality talent women’s tennis has to offer. Dunja Antunovic, Anna Redecsi, and Selma Salkovic were all name BIG EAST Players of the Week, as well as being named to the All-Conference team along with Katarina Milinkovic. In addition, freshman Gia McKnight had a break-out season, posting a team-high 30-8 singles record.
Off the court, Ardizzone has instilled a high standard of academic integrity and community involvement in his student-athletes. Recently, Antunovic earned the ITA/Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. As a team, they were recognized by the NCAA for having an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top-ten percent of all Division I women’s tennis teams. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
“Coach truly deserves this award,” praised Antunovic, “He displays extraordinary commitment to his team every day and it is great that he was acknowledged for his hard word and dedication.”
The team ended the season with a 21-5 record, while posting a 5-2 record in the BIG EAST.
TIM FLOYD PAID CASH FOR OJ MAYO
From ESPN.COM
A former associate of NBA star O.J. Mayo says that Southern California basketball coach Tim Floyd paid a man who helped get Mayo to play for the Trojans, Yahoo! Sports reported on Tuesday.
Louis Johnson, the former associate of Mayo's, told the Web site that Rodney Guillory told him that Floyd had given Guillory "a grand." Johnson said he was able to view $100 bills inside an envelope Guillory had.
Last year on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," Johnson accused Guillory of providing Mayo with improper benefits while the guard played for USC.
Johnson said the payment occurred in 2007. Johnson was not present for the actual exchange, but Guillory reportedly told him that they were meeting Floyd to receive money that they could spend at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Johnson saw Guillory meet Floyd outside a cafe and drove around the block. When he picked up Guillory 15 minutes later he was shown the envelope containing money.
Yahoo! Sports reported Johnson has told NCAA investigators and federal authorities -- including the FBI, IRS and U.S. Attorney's Office -- that Floyd paid Guillory.
A former associate of NBA star O.J. Mayo says that Southern California basketball coach Tim Floyd paid a man who helped get Mayo to play for the Trojans, Yahoo! Sports reported on Tuesday.
Louis Johnson, the former associate of Mayo's, told the Web site that Rodney Guillory told him that Floyd had given Guillory "a grand." Johnson said he was able to view $100 bills inside an envelope Guillory had.
Last year on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," Johnson accused Guillory of providing Mayo with improper benefits while the guard played for USC.
Johnson said the payment occurred in 2007. Johnson was not present for the actual exchange, but Guillory reportedly told him that they were meeting Floyd to receive money that they could spend at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Johnson saw Guillory meet Floyd outside a cafe and drove around the block. When he picked up Guillory 15 minutes later he was shown the envelope containing money.
Yahoo! Sports reported Johnson has told NCAA investigators and federal authorities -- including the FBI, IRS and U.S. Attorney's Office -- that Floyd paid Guillory.
TYLER GEISLINGER THROWS THREE STRAIGHT NO HITTERS
By the Associated Press
A high school pitcher in central Minnesota is halfway to matching the national record for consecutive no hitters and only one away from the state record.
He's Tyler Geislinger, a left-hander from Eden Valley-Watkins.
His coach, Mike Tomsche, says Geislinger threw his third consecutive no hitter on Monday in a 14-4 victory over Holdingford.The national record is six straight. A spokesman for the Minnesota State High School League says the state record is four straight, set by Larry Edlund of Hayfield in 1966.
While EVW will have a chance to clinch the Central Minnesota Conference title on Thursday against Maple Lake, Geislinger probably won't pitch again until the playoffs next week.
A high school pitcher in central Minnesota is halfway to matching the national record for consecutive no hitters and only one away from the state record.
He's Tyler Geislinger, a left-hander from Eden Valley-Watkins.
His coach, Mike Tomsche, says Geislinger threw his third consecutive no hitter on Monday in a 14-4 victory over Holdingford.The national record is six straight. A spokesman for the Minnesota State High School League says the state record is four straight, set by Larry Edlund of Hayfield in 1966.
While EVW will have a chance to clinch the Central Minnesota Conference title on Thursday against Maple Lake, Geislinger probably won't pitch again until the playoffs next week.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
ROGER CLEMENS CRITICAL OF NEW BOOK
From ESPN.COM
Roger Clemens ended his long media silence Tuesday on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning," sticking to his story that he has never used performance-enhancing drugs and calling excerpts of a recently released book about him "completely false."
Clemens, in a phone interview with hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, appeared on the same day that "American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime," a book by four New York Daily News reporters, was released.
"I've seen excerpts of the book. They're completely false," Clemens said.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner also continued to deny that he was given steroids and human growth hormone by his former personal trainer Brian McNamee, saying it was "impossible" that drug paraphernalia supplied to federal prosecutors by McNamee has his DNA on it.
Clemens also said he still considers former teammate Andy Pettitte a friend, though he also held firm to his assertion that Pettitte "misremembers" a conversation in which Pettitte said they discussed performance-enhancing drugs.
"It's piling on, it's hurtful at times," Clemens said of the allegations that have been made against him. "I'm trying to move on."
Clemens, who is under a federal grand jury investigation for perjury following his testimony before Congress, said he decided to end his silence and react to the book because he plans to leave his Texas home for a week's vacation.
"I was informed this book was coming out and thought we ought to talk about it," Clemens told "Mike and Mike in the Morning." "It's important for me to do that."
Clemens has retained a communications firm, Levick Strategic Communications. The firm's vice president, Gene Grabowski, also spoke with "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Tuesday in a separate interview.
"They came in and said, 'You need to get your story out about all this garbage that is being said,'" Clemens said.
Asked about "American Icon," by Daily News reporters Teri Thompson, Nathaniel Vinton, Michael O'Keeffe and Christian Red, Clemens said, "I've seen excerpts of the book, they're completely false." He did not specify which part of the book he had seen.
Vinton, also appearing on "Mike and Mike in the Morning," responded to Clemens' criticism.
"Our book is really backed up by a lot of documentation and interviews with key players," Vinton said, "It's not false, we really researched this carefully ... and take it very seriously."
When asked about the physical evidence reportedly handed over by McNamee to federal investigators and whether it had his DNA on it, Clemens said, "Impossible, because he's never given me any [performance-enhancing drugs], it's as simple as that. He's never given me HGH or any kind of performance-enhancing drug, so it's impossible."
Later in the interview, he said McNamee "never injected me with HGH or steroids." Pointing out that his family has a history of heart conditions, Clemens said "It would be suicidal for me to even think about taking any of these dangerous drugs."
Asked about Pettitte's testimony that Clemens had told him he used HGH, Clemens repeated a line that he uttered during his congressional testimony: "Andy misremembers." He said he'd only talked to Pettitte a few times since then because of the legal issues.
"I still consider Andy a friend," Clemens said.
"I don't care to even comment on that or anything, OK?" Pettitte said Tuesday night before the Yankees played at Toronto.
Following the interview, McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, told Andrew Marchand of ESPN 1050 New York that Clemens' comments would only energize federal prosecutors in their perjury investigation. He also said McNamee has continued to cooperate with the investigation.
"The only thing new is [Clemens'] tactic of actually speaking publicly, which I think is going to be like poking a stick in the federal government's eye and Congress' eye because he is basically saying he didn't lie to Congress when it is perfectly obvious that he did," Emery said. "I think it is going to speed up and energize the prosecution."
As for his role in the probe, Clemens said he has submitted a DNA sample -- "I did it right out of the gate, willingly," he said -- and that he has not been summoned by a federal grand jury.
"Everywhere I've gone and gotten the opportunity to speak to young kids or college kids, I take a lot of pride in telling those boys to get after it and do things the right way and take care of your body, because I know how I did it," he said. "For some of that to come in question, of course it's hurtful. But it's not going to break my spirit."
When asked about opinion polls showing the public does not believe his denials, Clemens said "All I can do is speak the truth and from my heart to them."
"I know what your polls say, [but] I've been getting great responses everywhere I've gone in the cities I've traveled to. All I can do is be me and give them the message I just told you about that steroids are bad for these kids. You don't want to have anything to do with them the way they tear your body down," he said.
"But I can't defend a negative. When you've got somebody that's out there that is really just crawling up your back to make a buck -- which is what this is -- other than speaking out, what else can you do?"
Clemens' former manager in New York, Joe Torre, appearing on ESPN Radio's "Tirico and Van Pelt" show, said that Clemens' self-confidence was one of his strongest competitive aspects as a player, but may have hampered him when it came time to address the allegations in the Mitchell report in front of Congress.
"I think when he speaks -- and maybe that's why he played so well for so long -- is that fact that he basically believes what he says," Torre told hosts Mike Tirico and Scott Van Pelt.
"There's a side of Roger that makes you want to hug him," Torre added. "He's been that guy that everyone's paid attention to and nobody's ever questioned, so it may be a point in time where that has to sort of run out the hourglass."
Roger Clemens ended his long media silence Tuesday on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning," sticking to his story that he has never used performance-enhancing drugs and calling excerpts of a recently released book about him "completely false."
Clemens, in a phone interview with hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, appeared on the same day that "American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime," a book by four New York Daily News reporters, was released.
"I've seen excerpts of the book. They're completely false," Clemens said.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner also continued to deny that he was given steroids and human growth hormone by his former personal trainer Brian McNamee, saying it was "impossible" that drug paraphernalia supplied to federal prosecutors by McNamee has his DNA on it.
Clemens also said he still considers former teammate Andy Pettitte a friend, though he also held firm to his assertion that Pettitte "misremembers" a conversation in which Pettitte said they discussed performance-enhancing drugs.
"It's piling on, it's hurtful at times," Clemens said of the allegations that have been made against him. "I'm trying to move on."
Clemens, who is under a federal grand jury investigation for perjury following his testimony before Congress, said he decided to end his silence and react to the book because he plans to leave his Texas home for a week's vacation.
"I was informed this book was coming out and thought we ought to talk about it," Clemens told "Mike and Mike in the Morning." "It's important for me to do that."
Clemens has retained a communications firm, Levick Strategic Communications. The firm's vice president, Gene Grabowski, also spoke with "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Tuesday in a separate interview.
"They came in and said, 'You need to get your story out about all this garbage that is being said,'" Clemens said.
Asked about "American Icon," by Daily News reporters Teri Thompson, Nathaniel Vinton, Michael O'Keeffe and Christian Red, Clemens said, "I've seen excerpts of the book, they're completely false." He did not specify which part of the book he had seen.
Vinton, also appearing on "Mike and Mike in the Morning," responded to Clemens' criticism.
"Our book is really backed up by a lot of documentation and interviews with key players," Vinton said, "It's not false, we really researched this carefully ... and take it very seriously."
When asked about the physical evidence reportedly handed over by McNamee to federal investigators and whether it had his DNA on it, Clemens said, "Impossible, because he's never given me any [performance-enhancing drugs], it's as simple as that. He's never given me HGH or any kind of performance-enhancing drug, so it's impossible."
Later in the interview, he said McNamee "never injected me with HGH or steroids." Pointing out that his family has a history of heart conditions, Clemens said "It would be suicidal for me to even think about taking any of these dangerous drugs."
Asked about Pettitte's testimony that Clemens had told him he used HGH, Clemens repeated a line that he uttered during his congressional testimony: "Andy misremembers." He said he'd only talked to Pettitte a few times since then because of the legal issues.
"I still consider Andy a friend," Clemens said.
"I don't care to even comment on that or anything, OK?" Pettitte said Tuesday night before the Yankees played at Toronto.
Following the interview, McNamee's lawyer, Richard Emery, told Andrew Marchand of ESPN 1050 New York that Clemens' comments would only energize federal prosecutors in their perjury investigation. He also said McNamee has continued to cooperate with the investigation.
"The only thing new is [Clemens'] tactic of actually speaking publicly, which I think is going to be like poking a stick in the federal government's eye and Congress' eye because he is basically saying he didn't lie to Congress when it is perfectly obvious that he did," Emery said. "I think it is going to speed up and energize the prosecution."
As for his role in the probe, Clemens said he has submitted a DNA sample -- "I did it right out of the gate, willingly," he said -- and that he has not been summoned by a federal grand jury.
"Everywhere I've gone and gotten the opportunity to speak to young kids or college kids, I take a lot of pride in telling those boys to get after it and do things the right way and take care of your body, because I know how I did it," he said. "For some of that to come in question, of course it's hurtful. But it's not going to break my spirit."
When asked about opinion polls showing the public does not believe his denials, Clemens said "All I can do is speak the truth and from my heart to them."
"I know what your polls say, [but] I've been getting great responses everywhere I've gone in the cities I've traveled to. All I can do is be me and give them the message I just told you about that steroids are bad for these kids. You don't want to have anything to do with them the way they tear your body down," he said.
"But I can't defend a negative. When you've got somebody that's out there that is really just crawling up your back to make a buck -- which is what this is -- other than speaking out, what else can you do?"
Clemens' former manager in New York, Joe Torre, appearing on ESPN Radio's "Tirico and Van Pelt" show, said that Clemens' self-confidence was one of his strongest competitive aspects as a player, but may have hampered him when it came time to address the allegations in the Mitchell report in front of Congress.
"I think when he speaks -- and maybe that's why he played so well for so long -- is that fact that he basically believes what he says," Torre told hosts Mike Tirico and Scott Van Pelt.
"There's a side of Roger that makes you want to hug him," Torre added. "He's been that guy that everyone's paid attention to and nobody's ever questioned, so it may be a point in time where that has to sort of run out the hourglass."
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF TROY BELL OF MINNESOTA
Troy Bell who is playing basketball over sea's sent me this video clip. Check out this high light clip of a game over in Europe. Troy Bell slam dunks with ease.
I was also able to find some other clips of Troy Bell
Troy Bell high lights from his Boston College Day's
Troy Bell signs with Fastweb.
This is just a small sample of clips that I could find. I will post more later on.
I was also able to find some other clips of Troy Bell
Troy Bell high lights from his Boston College Day's
Troy Bell signs with Fastweb.
This is just a small sample of clips that I could find. I will post more later on.
TROY BELL LIFTS HIS TEAM TO VICTORY
On Sunday Minnesota native Troy Bell scored 24 points to lift Vanoli Soresina into the LegaDue semifinals. Vanoli overcame Edimes Pavia in the fourth game as Quadre Lollis added 16 points and 11 boards for the visitors. Martin Colussi came up with 17 points for Edimes Pavia in defeat.
Monday, May 11, 2009
EVERY THING IS IN THE RECORDS
By Mark Fainaru-Wadaand T.J. Quinn ESPN.com
The story of how Manny Ramirez was nabbed by baseball's drug-testing policy is rooted as much in the language of the collective bargaining agreement as it is in the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers' slugger had synthetic testosterone in his body when he was tested this past spring.
Ultimately, Ramirez was brought down by his own private medical records -- records that the Major League Baseball Players' Association turned over on his behalf, as required under the sport's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The Ramirez saga, as described by three sources with direct knowledge of the case, began to play out in spring training when the 36-year-old outfielder provided a urine sample for testing.
The test came back showing elevated levels of testosterone. Every individual naturally produces testosterone and a substance called epitestosterone, typically at a ratio of 1:1. In Major League Baseball, if the ratio comes in at 4:1 during testing, a player is flagged. In Ramirez's case, his ratio was between 4:1 and 10:1, according to one source.
At that point, MLB notified Ramirez of his elevated levels and began further investigation, including taking two primary actions:First, MLB asked the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal, which conducts its testing, to perform a carbon isotope ratio test to determine whether the testosterone spike resulted from natural variations within Ramirez's body or from an artificial source. The test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- in other words, it was ingested somehow.
Secondly, as per the drug-testing policy, MLB requested all of Ramirez's medical records, including those from doctors he might have consulted outside of MLB. Addendum C of the policy is authorization by every player to provide "health information" from "all health care providers (including but not limited to [add Club orthopedist and medical internist], other physicians, laboratories, clinics and Club trainers) with whom I have consulted pursuant to my Uniform Player's Contract or the Basic Agreement."
Ramirez and his representatives were prepared to appeal the synthetic testosterone results, intending to argue he had taken a steroid precursor known as DHEA, according to two sources. The drug is akin to the now-banned substance famously known as Andro, but it is not on baseball's banned list.
Baseball had geared up to dispute the argument, and a Ramirez appeal was scheduled for last Wednesday. MLB's legal team intended to use expert testimony to cite evidence it believed showed DHEA could not have been the cause of the synthetic testosterone.
However, in the days before the hearing, the union turned over Ramirez's medical records -- and they turned out to be a boon for MLB.
Within the records was a prescription written for the drug human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) -- No. 55 on the list of banned performance-enhancing substances in the policy. The drug is mainly used for female fertility issues, but it is best known among male steroid users as a substance that can help kick-start the body's production of natural testosterone, which is stymied when using synthetic testosterone (aka steroids).
The synthetic testosterone in Ramirez's body could not have come from the hCG, according to doping experts, and so suddenly Ramirez had two drugs to answer for. Worse still for the ballplayer, MLB now had a document showing he had been prescribed a banned substance. This was iron-clad evidence that could secure a 50-game suspension.
And so, in the hours before the appeal was scheduled to proceed, Ramirez notified MLB that he would accept the 50 games and drop his planned legal fight.
Soon thereafter, he issued his statement that his suspension had resulted from taking a medication -- not a steroid -- that was prescribed to him by a physician. Technically, that was true, but it was hardly the complete story.
The story of how Manny Ramirez was nabbed by baseball's drug-testing policy is rooted as much in the language of the collective bargaining agreement as it is in the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers' slugger had synthetic testosterone in his body when he was tested this past spring.
Ultimately, Ramirez was brought down by his own private medical records -- records that the Major League Baseball Players' Association turned over on his behalf, as required under the sport's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The Ramirez saga, as described by three sources with direct knowledge of the case, began to play out in spring training when the 36-year-old outfielder provided a urine sample for testing.
The test came back showing elevated levels of testosterone. Every individual naturally produces testosterone and a substance called epitestosterone, typically at a ratio of 1:1. In Major League Baseball, if the ratio comes in at 4:1 during testing, a player is flagged. In Ramirez's case, his ratio was between 4:1 and 10:1, according to one source.
At that point, MLB notified Ramirez of his elevated levels and began further investigation, including taking two primary actions:First, MLB asked the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal, which conducts its testing, to perform a carbon isotope ratio test to determine whether the testosterone spike resulted from natural variations within Ramirez's body or from an artificial source. The test revealed the testosterone was synthetic -- in other words, it was ingested somehow.
Secondly, as per the drug-testing policy, MLB requested all of Ramirez's medical records, including those from doctors he might have consulted outside of MLB. Addendum C of the policy is authorization by every player to provide "health information" from "all health care providers (including but not limited to [add Club orthopedist and medical internist], other physicians, laboratories, clinics and Club trainers) with whom I have consulted pursuant to my Uniform Player's Contract or the Basic Agreement."
Ramirez and his representatives were prepared to appeal the synthetic testosterone results, intending to argue he had taken a steroid precursor known as DHEA, according to two sources. The drug is akin to the now-banned substance famously known as Andro, but it is not on baseball's banned list.
Baseball had geared up to dispute the argument, and a Ramirez appeal was scheduled for last Wednesday. MLB's legal team intended to use expert testimony to cite evidence it believed showed DHEA could not have been the cause of the synthetic testosterone.
However, in the days before the hearing, the union turned over Ramirez's medical records -- and they turned out to be a boon for MLB.
Within the records was a prescription written for the drug human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) -- No. 55 on the list of banned performance-enhancing substances in the policy. The drug is mainly used for female fertility issues, but it is best known among male steroid users as a substance that can help kick-start the body's production of natural testosterone, which is stymied when using synthetic testosterone (aka steroids).
The synthetic testosterone in Ramirez's body could not have come from the hCG, according to doping experts, and so suddenly Ramirez had two drugs to answer for. Worse still for the ballplayer, MLB now had a document showing he had been prescribed a banned substance. This was iron-clad evidence that could secure a 50-game suspension.
And so, in the hours before the appeal was scheduled to proceed, Ramirez notified MLB that he would accept the 50 games and drop his planned legal fight.
Soon thereafter, he issued his statement that his suspension had resulted from taking a medication -- not a steroid -- that was prescribed to him by a physician. Technically, that was true, but it was hardly the complete story.
LACROSSE LOVE,OLD SCHOOL AND SENIOR YEAR
From the Star News Online By Rachel George:
This week I talked with Laney's Addison Newman. The Bucs' senior had led the boys lacrosse team to its first playoff win since 2003 as Laney beat Holly Springs 12-5. Newman had three goals and five assists, giving him 32 and 40, respectively, this season.
Newman and the Bucs will face second-seeded Charlotte Providence in the second round of the North Carolina High School Lacrosse Association playoffs on Friday.
Rachel George: How'd you first get started in lacrosse?
Addison Newman: I started out in sixth grade. My brother had friends playing and he had a stick in the backyard and I just picked it up.
RG: Was it kind of a love-at-first-sight thing? Haven't given it up?
AN: Definitely.
RG: What is it that's kept you hooked, kept you playing?
AN: It's a different sport. It's a lot different than any other sport. I enjoy the fast pace.
RG: You guys have 17 seniors on the team this year, now you've won a playoff game. What's it like to do this with guys you've been with for four years?
AN: Real special. To have our senior class like that and be able to advance in the playoffs, it's a good way to leave Laney.
RG: I'm sure you guys have fun goofing off. Any funny stories from the season?
AN: I'd say the funniest story was our trip up to Virginia, going to Busch Gardens, that was probably the highlight of our season. We had a lot of fun. One of our guys, Ryan, a little too much for him, threw up over everybody.
RG: Why? Because of the rides?
AN: Just probably ate right before and just couldn't hold it in. Just barfed all over everyone.
RG: That doesn't sound like fun to me.
AN: Not at all. It was funny though. I didn't get thrown up on.
RG: Oh, so of course, you thought it was funny.
RG: When you're not playing lacrosse and you're out of season, what are you doing?
AN: Beach, a lot, a lot of the beach. I love going to the beach. Hang out with friends, I guess that's about it.
RG: You a surfer?
AN: No, I'm not a surfer. I just enjoy the beach. Pretty much just swim.
RG: When it comes to school, do you have a favorite subject?
AN: I'd probably say writing, English is my favorite.
RG: That's what I like to hear.
AN: Definitely. Journalism, I've actually looked into journalism. I did my senior project on journalism.
RG: You still interested in being a journalist?
AN: I like to write. I'm a big writer.
RG: What about a favorite teacher?
AN: I don't like any teachers. (Laughs) I'm just kidding. I like Broomfield, I like going in his room and talking to him during the day. A lot of the sports coaches, coach Adams.
RG: Now, senior year is winding down. Have y'all had prom yet?
AN: No, prom is the 16th.
RG: What's it kind of like going through this part where everything's the last this, the last that?
AN: I'm just starting to realize this is the end of my high school career and I just want to leave it with a bang and enjoy all of it.
RG: Any senior pranks?
AN: Not yet.
RG: Anything in the works?
AN: Can't tell you. (Laughs) No, we don't have anything.
RG: Now, do you guys do yearbook quotes or anything like that?
AN: Yeah.
RG: What was yours?
AN: It was stupid. It was real stupid.
RG: What was it?
AN: It was from 'Old School.' It doesn't make any sense.
RG: Well, what was it?
AN: It's, all right, there's a letter from 'Old School' that he posts up on the door. It just says, this what I put my quote, it's really off the wall, it's just something about they - it makes no sense - they boarded up the windows and doors. We're in the EconoLodge room 121, just meet us there.
RG: Why would you pick something like that?
AN: I don't know. I just think some of my buddies would understand it.
RG: Do you know where you're going to school?
AN: State. N.C. State.
RG: What will you remember from four years at Laney? What's going to stick with you?
AN: Probably the senior lacrosse season. This has been definitely our best year in a while. We worked really hard to get here.
RG: Now try to keep it going, right?
AN: Yeah, definitely.
This week I talked with Laney's Addison Newman. The Bucs' senior had led the boys lacrosse team to its first playoff win since 2003 as Laney beat Holly Springs 12-5. Newman had three goals and five assists, giving him 32 and 40, respectively, this season.
Newman and the Bucs will face second-seeded Charlotte Providence in the second round of the North Carolina High School Lacrosse Association playoffs on Friday.
Rachel George: How'd you first get started in lacrosse?
Addison Newman: I started out in sixth grade. My brother had friends playing and he had a stick in the backyard and I just picked it up.
RG: Was it kind of a love-at-first-sight thing? Haven't given it up?
AN: Definitely.
RG: What is it that's kept you hooked, kept you playing?
AN: It's a different sport. It's a lot different than any other sport. I enjoy the fast pace.
RG: You guys have 17 seniors on the team this year, now you've won a playoff game. What's it like to do this with guys you've been with for four years?
AN: Real special. To have our senior class like that and be able to advance in the playoffs, it's a good way to leave Laney.
RG: I'm sure you guys have fun goofing off. Any funny stories from the season?
AN: I'd say the funniest story was our trip up to Virginia, going to Busch Gardens, that was probably the highlight of our season. We had a lot of fun. One of our guys, Ryan, a little too much for him, threw up over everybody.
RG: Why? Because of the rides?
AN: Just probably ate right before and just couldn't hold it in. Just barfed all over everyone.
RG: That doesn't sound like fun to me.
AN: Not at all. It was funny though. I didn't get thrown up on.
RG: Oh, so of course, you thought it was funny.
RG: When you're not playing lacrosse and you're out of season, what are you doing?
AN: Beach, a lot, a lot of the beach. I love going to the beach. Hang out with friends, I guess that's about it.
RG: You a surfer?
AN: No, I'm not a surfer. I just enjoy the beach. Pretty much just swim.
RG: When it comes to school, do you have a favorite subject?
AN: I'd probably say writing, English is my favorite.
RG: That's what I like to hear.
AN: Definitely. Journalism, I've actually looked into journalism. I did my senior project on journalism.
RG: You still interested in being a journalist?
AN: I like to write. I'm a big writer.
RG: What about a favorite teacher?
AN: I don't like any teachers. (Laughs) I'm just kidding. I like Broomfield, I like going in his room and talking to him during the day. A lot of the sports coaches, coach Adams.
RG: Now, senior year is winding down. Have y'all had prom yet?
AN: No, prom is the 16th.
RG: What's it kind of like going through this part where everything's the last this, the last that?
AN: I'm just starting to realize this is the end of my high school career and I just want to leave it with a bang and enjoy all of it.
RG: Any senior pranks?
AN: Not yet.
RG: Anything in the works?
AN: Can't tell you. (Laughs) No, we don't have anything.
RG: Now, do you guys do yearbook quotes or anything like that?
AN: Yeah.
RG: What was yours?
AN: It was stupid. It was real stupid.
RG: What was it?
AN: It was from 'Old School.' It doesn't make any sense.
RG: Well, what was it?
AN: It's, all right, there's a letter from 'Old School' that he posts up on the door. It just says, this what I put my quote, it's really off the wall, it's just something about they - it makes no sense - they boarded up the windows and doors. We're in the EconoLodge room 121, just meet us there.
RG: Why would you pick something like that?
AN: I don't know. I just think some of my buddies would understand it.
RG: Do you know where you're going to school?
AN: State. N.C. State.
RG: What will you remember from four years at Laney? What's going to stick with you?
AN: Probably the senior lacrosse season. This has been definitely our best year in a while. We worked really hard to get here.
RG: Now try to keep it going, right?
AN: Yeah, definitely.
SHOWTIME FOR PREPS
By Marcus R. Fuller St. Paul Pioneer Press
After stringing a few nothing-but-net three-pointers together during a first-half stretch Saturday, Jacob Thomas showed no signs of letting up as he eyed the rim while taking a couple of quick dribbles past midcourt.
The entire defense keenly fixed on him, so Thomas didn't hesitate to fire a pass up the court to Chad Calcaterra, who made a powerful two-handed dunk.
It was clear that Minnesota's two most-highly recruited basketball prospects in the class of 2010 play well together. They made great AAU teammates on the Howard Pulley Panthers, the host of this weekend's Sabes Foundation Invitational at Bloomington Jefferson High School.
But will they become Gophers?
"That would be cool if we both get a chance to play together with the Gophers," said Thomas, a 6-foot-3 junior guard from Columbia Heights. "You never know what's going to happen."
Thomas, arguably the best player in his class in Minnesota, would like nothing more than to be netting deep jumpers and setting up Calcaterra for slams in front of hometown fans at Williams Arena, but there are two things working against that right now.
For one, Thomas doesn't have a scholarship offer from the University of Minnesota yet, mainly because there are concerns about his academic standing. Secondly, Calcaterra, a 6-foot-10 center from Cloquet High School, isn't sure if the Gophers are the right fit for him. And the feeling is mutual.
"I don't really think the Gophers stand out among other schools," Calcaterra said Saturday. "My friends up at Cloquet keep saying they want me to go to Minnesota, but I don't want to make a choice yet."
Thomas made it known last year that he wanted to stay home and play for coach Tubby Smith's up-and-coming program if the opportunity presented itself.
"Nothing has changed," he said. "I will always want to play for the Gophers."
A few members of Minnesota's staff, including Smith, watched Thomas last season. He averaged 22 points and six rebounds a game but didn't receive an offer.
A breakout tournament at the Boo Williams Invitational in Virginia earned Thomas national recognition in April after he was considered one of the best shooters at the event. He also said Big East Conference schools Syracuse and Notre Dame showed interest.
After Thomas led Howard Pulley in scoring at the Jayhawk Invitational in Kansas last week, the Gophers asked to see his transcripts, which might mean an offer could come soon.
"It was kind of frustrating a bit that I hadn't heard from them in a while," Thomas said. "But they haven't made up their mind yet with me, so I'm just going to keep playing hard and keep doing my thing."
At 6-3, Thomas is considered small for a shooting guard. He is a work in progress as a ball handler and perimeter defender, but he sure can shoot. In Howard Pulley's 80-73 victory over the St. Louis Eagles on Saturday, Thomas scored 20 points, including six three-pointers, being defended by highly touted guard Bradley Beal, who has offers from Kansas, Illinois and Florida.
"He's putting up big numbers, and he's doing it on all the top AAU teams," Howard Pulley founder Rene Pulley said. "When you get a chance to play on the big stage, you get a chance to show that you really are what people thought you were."
Calcaterra, meanwhile, has played much better than expected this spring. He added strength and 20 pounds, going from 210 to 230. He also worked with his father on drop-step moves and hook shots to become more of an offensive threat, but shot-blocking is his strength.
"He'll go up and swat shots and dunk on people when he gets a mean streak," said Howard Pulley teammate Seantrel Henderson of Cretin-Derham Hall. "He's improved a lot."
Calcaterra got a scholarship offer from the Gophers as a sophomore. He was favoring them at one time but is keeping his options open. He also has offers from Auburn, Northern Iowa and Colorado State.
"It's the most important decision of my life," he said. "So, I'm really looking at what other schools are looking at me strong."
After stringing a few nothing-but-net three-pointers together during a first-half stretch Saturday, Jacob Thomas showed no signs of letting up as he eyed the rim while taking a couple of quick dribbles past midcourt.
The entire defense keenly fixed on him, so Thomas didn't hesitate to fire a pass up the court to Chad Calcaterra, who made a powerful two-handed dunk.
It was clear that Minnesota's two most-highly recruited basketball prospects in the class of 2010 play well together. They made great AAU teammates on the Howard Pulley Panthers, the host of this weekend's Sabes Foundation Invitational at Bloomington Jefferson High School.
But will they become Gophers?
"That would be cool if we both get a chance to play together with the Gophers," said Thomas, a 6-foot-3 junior guard from Columbia Heights. "You never know what's going to happen."
Thomas, arguably the best player in his class in Minnesota, would like nothing more than to be netting deep jumpers and setting up Calcaterra for slams in front of hometown fans at Williams Arena, but there are two things working against that right now.
For one, Thomas doesn't have a scholarship offer from the University of Minnesota yet, mainly because there are concerns about his academic standing. Secondly, Calcaterra, a 6-foot-10 center from Cloquet High School, isn't sure if the Gophers are the right fit for him. And the feeling is mutual.
"I don't really think the Gophers stand out among other schools," Calcaterra said Saturday. "My friends up at Cloquet keep saying they want me to go to Minnesota, but I don't want to make a choice yet."
Thomas made it known last year that he wanted to stay home and play for coach Tubby Smith's up-and-coming program if the opportunity presented itself.
"Nothing has changed," he said. "I will always want to play for the Gophers."
A few members of Minnesota's staff, including Smith, watched Thomas last season. He averaged 22 points and six rebounds a game but didn't receive an offer.
A breakout tournament at the Boo Williams Invitational in Virginia earned Thomas national recognition in April after he was considered one of the best shooters at the event. He also said Big East Conference schools Syracuse and Notre Dame showed interest.
After Thomas led Howard Pulley in scoring at the Jayhawk Invitational in Kansas last week, the Gophers asked to see his transcripts, which might mean an offer could come soon.
"It was kind of frustrating a bit that I hadn't heard from them in a while," Thomas said. "But they haven't made up their mind yet with me, so I'm just going to keep playing hard and keep doing my thing."
At 6-3, Thomas is considered small for a shooting guard. He is a work in progress as a ball handler and perimeter defender, but he sure can shoot. In Howard Pulley's 80-73 victory over the St. Louis Eagles on Saturday, Thomas scored 20 points, including six three-pointers, being defended by highly touted guard Bradley Beal, who has offers from Kansas, Illinois and Florida.
"He's putting up big numbers, and he's doing it on all the top AAU teams," Howard Pulley founder Rene Pulley said. "When you get a chance to play on the big stage, you get a chance to show that you really are what people thought you were."
Calcaterra, meanwhile, has played much better than expected this spring. He added strength and 20 pounds, going from 210 to 230. He also worked with his father on drop-step moves and hook shots to become more of an offensive threat, but shot-blocking is his strength.
"He'll go up and swat shots and dunk on people when he gets a mean streak," said Howard Pulley teammate Seantrel Henderson of Cretin-Derham Hall. "He's improved a lot."
Calcaterra got a scholarship offer from the Gophers as a sophomore. He was favoring them at one time but is keeping his options open. He also has offers from Auburn, Northern Iowa and Colorado State.
"It's the most important decision of my life," he said. "So, I'm really looking at what other schools are looking at me strong."
A TALENT SHOW FOR OVERLOOKED STARS IN HOOPS
By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune
Jacob Thomas was late to his AAU team's Saturday morning game, so he didn't get a chance to properly warm up. The 6-3 junior shooting guard from Columbia Heights air-balled his first shot. His second try during the weekend's Sabes Invitational AAU tournament at Bloomington Jefferson clanked off the side of the rim.
After the pair of misfires, Thomas looked up at the gym's dim lights and shouted in disgust. A family member on the sidelines yelled "Get loose!" and representatives from major colleges, still mulling over whether to offer Thomas a scholarship, scribbled notes on the tournament's programs.
Division I college coaches weren't allowed to attend, but sent unofficial reps to watch.
It's that scrutiny that compels Thomas, who plays for the top team in the Howard Pulley Basketball Program, to put pressure on himself, knowing that every shot he takes during the summer's AAU circuit might enhance or hinder his basketball future.
"I've been out here, working hard, trying to get my name out here," said Thomas, who earned all-tournament honors at the Sabes. He added later: "I'm in a small school in Minnesota, so I'm really not talked about ... [or] on the radar. [I] come out here, expose my game and hope the college coaches like it."
For Thomas and other preps around the country, the period after the high school season offers them opportunities to impress college coaches by playing in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) tournaments around the country. During this past weekend's Sabes tournament, teams traveled from as far away as Houston to compete against some of the top players in America.
At stake: scholarship offers, exposure and national rankings from influential recruiting services. College reps enjoy the opportunity to analyze numerous high-level talents in one location. Players get an invaluable audition every time they take the floor in the off season events that get a lot of their clout from the major shoe companies that sponsor squads -- Nike backs Howard Pulley -- and the top college coaches that depend on them for recruiting.
Just last year Thomas, who averaged 22.7 points per game last season for Columbia Heights and was on the Star Tribune's All-Metro third team, was an unfamiliar name to many on the local basketball scene. But today, he's a wanted man and arguably the state's top junior, although there are concerns about his academics.
After making the all-tournament team after a standout performance in the Jayhawk Invitational in Lawrence, Kan., last weekend, several schools inquired about him. Earning all-tournament team honors at the Sabes will help his standing, too. A scholarship offer from the Gophers is expected in the near future.
His Howard Pulley teammate, Chad Calcaterra, is a 6-10 junior center from Cloquet. He already has an offer from Minnesota and five other Division I schools. He's hoping to prove his worth on the summer's AAU circuit to give the Gophers and others more confidence about his overall skills.
But Calcaterra can't do that in Cloquet, 21 miles west of Duluth.
"Up north in Cloquet, we really don't have many scouts coming up there, not to the games," Calcaterra said after a Friday night victory in the Sabes. "Coming down here, there's scouts everywhere and reporters. It's good exposure."
AAU even helps 6-7 junior Harrison Barnes, who played with the All Iowa Attack at the Sabes and has more than 20 Division I scholarship offers, including one from the Gophers. He has an NBA-ready body and the No. 1 national ranking from the most prestigious recruiting services. He said AAU basketball helps him develop his skills and prepare him for the next level.
"It's a good measuring stick because you're going against these guys week in and week out, and it allows you to judge how good you are and where you stand and what you need to improve on," said Barnes, who has named Minnesota as one of the final 12 schools he's considering.
Jacob Thomas was late to his AAU team's Saturday morning game, so he didn't get a chance to properly warm up. The 6-3 junior shooting guard from Columbia Heights air-balled his first shot. His second try during the weekend's Sabes Invitational AAU tournament at Bloomington Jefferson clanked off the side of the rim.
After the pair of misfires, Thomas looked up at the gym's dim lights and shouted in disgust. A family member on the sidelines yelled "Get loose!" and representatives from major colleges, still mulling over whether to offer Thomas a scholarship, scribbled notes on the tournament's programs.
Division I college coaches weren't allowed to attend, but sent unofficial reps to watch.
It's that scrutiny that compels Thomas, who plays for the top team in the Howard Pulley Basketball Program, to put pressure on himself, knowing that every shot he takes during the summer's AAU circuit might enhance or hinder his basketball future.
"I've been out here, working hard, trying to get my name out here," said Thomas, who earned all-tournament honors at the Sabes. He added later: "I'm in a small school in Minnesota, so I'm really not talked about ... [or] on the radar. [I] come out here, expose my game and hope the college coaches like it."
For Thomas and other preps around the country, the period after the high school season offers them opportunities to impress college coaches by playing in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) tournaments around the country. During this past weekend's Sabes tournament, teams traveled from as far away as Houston to compete against some of the top players in America.
At stake: scholarship offers, exposure and national rankings from influential recruiting services. College reps enjoy the opportunity to analyze numerous high-level talents in one location. Players get an invaluable audition every time they take the floor in the off season events that get a lot of their clout from the major shoe companies that sponsor squads -- Nike backs Howard Pulley -- and the top college coaches that depend on them for recruiting.
Just last year Thomas, who averaged 22.7 points per game last season for Columbia Heights and was on the Star Tribune's All-Metro third team, was an unfamiliar name to many on the local basketball scene. But today, he's a wanted man and arguably the state's top junior, although there are concerns about his academics.
After making the all-tournament team after a standout performance in the Jayhawk Invitational in Lawrence, Kan., last weekend, several schools inquired about him. Earning all-tournament team honors at the Sabes will help his standing, too. A scholarship offer from the Gophers is expected in the near future.
His Howard Pulley teammate, Chad Calcaterra, is a 6-10 junior center from Cloquet. He already has an offer from Minnesota and five other Division I schools. He's hoping to prove his worth on the summer's AAU circuit to give the Gophers and others more confidence about his overall skills.
But Calcaterra can't do that in Cloquet, 21 miles west of Duluth.
"Up north in Cloquet, we really don't have many scouts coming up there, not to the games," Calcaterra said after a Friday night victory in the Sabes. "Coming down here, there's scouts everywhere and reporters. It's good exposure."
AAU even helps 6-7 junior Harrison Barnes, who played with the All Iowa Attack at the Sabes and has more than 20 Division I scholarship offers, including one from the Gophers. He has an NBA-ready body and the No. 1 national ranking from the most prestigious recruiting services. He said AAU basketball helps him develop his skills and prepare him for the next level.
"It's a good measuring stick because you're going against these guys week in and week out, and it allows you to judge how good you are and where you stand and what you need to improve on," said Barnes, who has named Minnesota as one of the final 12 schools he's considering.
BASKETBALL COACH CHUCK DALY DIED
By LARRY LAGE , Associated Press
The Detroit Pistons made plenty of enemies while winning titles and throwing blows two decades ago. Chuck Daly, though, was universally admired for his class and coaching acumen.
"I never understood how a great man and nice guy coached the Bad Boys," Charles Barkley said.
Daly died Saturday morning at 78 in Jupiter, Fla., with his family by his side, the Pistons said. The team announced in March he was being treated for pancreatic cancer.
The Hall of Fame coach led the Dream Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1992 after winning back-to-back NBA championships in Detroit.
Daly was renowned for his ability to create harmony out of diverse personalities at all levels of the game, whether they were Ivy Leaguers at Pennsylvania, Dream Teamers Michael Jordan and Barkley, or Pistons as dissimilar as Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars.
"It's a players' league. They allow you to coach them or they don't," Daly once said. "Once they stop allowing you to coach, you're on your way out."
Daly was voted one of the 10 greatest coaches of the NBA's first half-century in 1996, two years after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first coach to win both NBA and Olympic titles.
Daly had a career regular-season record of 638-437 in 13 NBA seasons. In 12 playoff appearances, his teams went 75-51. He left Detroit as the Pistons' leader in regular-season and playoff victories.
NBA commissioner David Stern said the "void left by his death will never be filled."
"Chuck did much more than coach basketball games," he said in a statement. "He positively impacted everyone he met, both personally and professionally, and his love of people and the game of basketball helped develop the next generation of coaches."
Daly had a golden touch at the Barcelona Games with the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Jordan, using a different lineup every game.
"Chuck was a great leader," Jordan said. "I only wish I could have played for him outside of the Dream Team."
Added Bird: "He handled that team and its talent as well as anybody could. He treated us all with respect and had us all vying for the same goal."
Daly humbled the NBA superstars by coaching a group of college players to victory in a controlled scrimmage weeks before the Olympics.
"I was the happiest man in the gym," Daly said.
In Barcelona — a team also bolstered by Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone and John Stockton — the Americans scored more than 100 points in each of their eight wins and their victory margin topped 43 points. Daly did not call a timeout during the tournament.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was an Olympic assistant under Daly.
"For that, I am eternally grateful," he said. "There was no better ambassador for the game of basketball than Chuck Daly."
Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990.
"He did an unbelievable job of taking a bunch of different personalities and molding them into a team," Mahorn said.
Thomas, the former New York Knicks coach and president who now coaches at Florida International University, said Daly's death was an "immeasurable loss for the NBA and the entire basketball world."
"I can't explain in words how much he gave me as a player and a man," he said.
Former Piston John Salley gave Daly the nickname Daddy Rich for his impeccably tailored suits. The National Basketball Coaches' Association created pins with the initials "CD" that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing as it dedicates this postseason to Daly. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.
Despite his success, Daly wasn't part of a Coach of the Year presentation until he handed the trophy to then-Detroit coach Rick Carlisle in 2002.
"This is as close as I've ever been to that thing," Daly said, looking at the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Added Bird: "He handled that team and its talent as well as anybody could. He treated us all with respect and had us all vying for the same goal."
Daly humbled the NBA superstars by coaching a group of college players to victory in a controlled scrimmage weeks before the Olympics.
"I was the happiest man in the gym," Daly said.
In Barcelona — a team also bolstered by Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone and John Stockton — the Americans scored more than 100 points in each of their eight wins and their victory margin topped 43 points. Daly did not call a timeout during the tournament.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was an Olympic assistant under Daly.
"For that, I am eternally grateful," he said. "There was no better ambassador for the game of basketball than Chuck Daly."
Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990.
"He did an unbelievable job of taking a bunch of different personalities and molding them into a team," Mahorn said.
Thomas, the former New York Knicks coach and president who now coaches at Florida International University, said Daly's death was an "immeasurable loss for the NBA and the entire basketball world."
"I can't explain in words how much he gave me as a player and a man," he said.
Former Piston John Salley gave Daly the nickname Daddy Rich for his impeccably tailored suits. The National Basketball Coaches' Association created pins with the initials "CD" that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing as it dedicates this postseason to Daly. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.
Despite his success, Daly wasn't part of a Coach of the Year presentation until he handed the trophy to then-Detroit coach Rick Carlisle in 2002.
"This is as close as I've ever been to that thing," Daly said, looking at the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Born July 20, 1930, in St. Marys, Pa., Charles Jerome Daly played college ball at St. Bonaventure and Bloomsburg.
He began coaching in the NBA in 1978 as an assistant under Billy Cunningham in Philadelphia. His first head coaching job was with Cleveland, but he was fired after the Cavaliers went 9-32 the first half of the 1981-82 season.
In 1983, Daly took over a Detroit team that had never had two straight winning seasons and led the Pistons to nine straight. He persuaded Rodman, Thomas, Dumars, Mahorn and Laimbeer to play as a unit and they responded with championships in 1989 and 1990.
Far from being intimidated by the Pistons' Bad Boys image, Daly saw the upside of it. "I've also had players who did not care," he said a decade later. "I'd rather have a challenging team."
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson went up against Daly while coaching the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.
"In the heat of those battles, Chuck was always a friend of coaches," Jackson said. "A good guy. He was always in the coaching fraternity and always extended a friendly hand."
After leaving Detroit, Daly coached the New Jersey Nets for two seasons and led them to the playoffs both times.
He left broadcasting to return to the bench in 1997 with the Orlando Magic and coached them two seasons, then retired at 68 because he was weary of travel. Daly joined the Vancouver Grizzlies as a senior adviser in 2000. In retirement, he divided time between homes in Jupiter and suburban Detroit. The Pistons retired No. 2 in 1997 to honor Daly's two NBA titles."Without you, there wouldn't be us," Mahorn told the coach during the ceremony.
Daly is survived by his wife, Terry, daughter Cydney and grandchildren Sebrina and Connor.
The funeral is Wednesday in Tequesta, Fla., at St. Jude Catholic Church. Visitation is Tuesday in nearby Jupiter at Aycock Funeral Home.
The Detroit Pistons made plenty of enemies while winning titles and throwing blows two decades ago. Chuck Daly, though, was universally admired for his class and coaching acumen.
"I never understood how a great man and nice guy coached the Bad Boys," Charles Barkley said.
Daly died Saturday morning at 78 in Jupiter, Fla., with his family by his side, the Pistons said. The team announced in March he was being treated for pancreatic cancer.
The Hall of Fame coach led the Dream Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1992 after winning back-to-back NBA championships in Detroit.
Daly was renowned for his ability to create harmony out of diverse personalities at all levels of the game, whether they were Ivy Leaguers at Pennsylvania, Dream Teamers Michael Jordan and Barkley, or Pistons as dissimilar as Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars.
"It's a players' league. They allow you to coach them or they don't," Daly once said. "Once they stop allowing you to coach, you're on your way out."
Daly was voted one of the 10 greatest coaches of the NBA's first half-century in 1996, two years after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first coach to win both NBA and Olympic titles.
Daly had a career regular-season record of 638-437 in 13 NBA seasons. In 12 playoff appearances, his teams went 75-51. He left Detroit as the Pistons' leader in regular-season and playoff victories.
NBA commissioner David Stern said the "void left by his death will never be filled."
"Chuck did much more than coach basketball games," he said in a statement. "He positively impacted everyone he met, both personally and professionally, and his love of people and the game of basketball helped develop the next generation of coaches."
Daly had a golden touch at the Barcelona Games with the likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Jordan, using a different lineup every game.
"Chuck was a great leader," Jordan said. "I only wish I could have played for him outside of the Dream Team."
Added Bird: "He handled that team and its talent as well as anybody could. He treated us all with respect and had us all vying for the same goal."
Daly humbled the NBA superstars by coaching a group of college players to victory in a controlled scrimmage weeks before the Olympics.
"I was the happiest man in the gym," Daly said.
In Barcelona — a team also bolstered by Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone and John Stockton — the Americans scored more than 100 points in each of their eight wins and their victory margin topped 43 points. Daly did not call a timeout during the tournament.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was an Olympic assistant under Daly.
"For that, I am eternally grateful," he said. "There was no better ambassador for the game of basketball than Chuck Daly."
Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990.
"He did an unbelievable job of taking a bunch of different personalities and molding them into a team," Mahorn said.
Thomas, the former New York Knicks coach and president who now coaches at Florida International University, said Daly's death was an "immeasurable loss for the NBA and the entire basketball world."
"I can't explain in words how much he gave me as a player and a man," he said.
Former Piston John Salley gave Daly the nickname Daddy Rich for his impeccably tailored suits. The National Basketball Coaches' Association created pins with the initials "CD" that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing as it dedicates this postseason to Daly. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.
Despite his success, Daly wasn't part of a Coach of the Year presentation until he handed the trophy to then-Detroit coach Rick Carlisle in 2002.
"This is as close as I've ever been to that thing," Daly said, looking at the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Added Bird: "He handled that team and its talent as well as anybody could. He treated us all with respect and had us all vying for the same goal."
Daly humbled the NBA superstars by coaching a group of college players to victory in a controlled scrimmage weeks before the Olympics.
"I was the happiest man in the gym," Daly said.
In Barcelona — a team also bolstered by Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone and John Stockton — the Americans scored more than 100 points in each of their eight wins and their victory margin topped 43 points. Daly did not call a timeout during the tournament.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was an Olympic assistant under Daly.
"For that, I am eternally grateful," he said. "There was no better ambassador for the game of basketball than Chuck Daly."
Daly also made the right moves for the Pistons, who were notorious for their physical play with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn leading the fight, Rodman making headlines and Hall of Fame guards Isiah Thomas and Dumars lifting the team to titles in 1989 and 1990.
"He did an unbelievable job of taking a bunch of different personalities and molding them into a team," Mahorn said.
Thomas, the former New York Knicks coach and president who now coaches at Florida International University, said Daly's death was an "immeasurable loss for the NBA and the entire basketball world."
"I can't explain in words how much he gave me as a player and a man," he said.
Former Piston John Salley gave Daly the nickname Daddy Rich for his impeccably tailored suits. The National Basketball Coaches' Association created pins with the initials "CD" that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing as it dedicates this postseason to Daly. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.
Despite his success, Daly wasn't part of a Coach of the Year presentation until he handed the trophy to then-Detroit coach Rick Carlisle in 2002.
"This is as close as I've ever been to that thing," Daly said, looking at the Red Auerbach Trophy.
Born July 20, 1930, in St. Marys, Pa., Charles Jerome Daly played college ball at St. Bonaventure and Bloomsburg.
He began coaching in the NBA in 1978 as an assistant under Billy Cunningham in Philadelphia. His first head coaching job was with Cleveland, but he was fired after the Cavaliers went 9-32 the first half of the 1981-82 season.
In 1983, Daly took over a Detroit team that had never had two straight winning seasons and led the Pistons to nine straight. He persuaded Rodman, Thomas, Dumars, Mahorn and Laimbeer to play as a unit and they responded with championships in 1989 and 1990.
Far from being intimidated by the Pistons' Bad Boys image, Daly saw the upside of it. "I've also had players who did not care," he said a decade later. "I'd rather have a challenging team."
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson went up against Daly while coaching the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.
"In the heat of those battles, Chuck was always a friend of coaches," Jackson said. "A good guy. He was always in the coaching fraternity and always extended a friendly hand."
After leaving Detroit, Daly coached the New Jersey Nets for two seasons and led them to the playoffs both times.
He left broadcasting to return to the bench in 1997 with the Orlando Magic and coached them two seasons, then retired at 68 because he was weary of travel. Daly joined the Vancouver Grizzlies as a senior adviser in 2000. In retirement, he divided time between homes in Jupiter and suburban Detroit. The Pistons retired No. 2 in 1997 to honor Daly's two NBA titles."Without you, there wouldn't be us," Mahorn told the coach during the ceremony.
Daly is survived by his wife, Terry, daughter Cydney and grandchildren Sebrina and Connor.
The funeral is Wednesday in Tequesta, Fla., at St. Jude Catholic Church. Visitation is Tuesday in nearby Jupiter at Aycock Funeral Home.
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