• Slug: Sports-Phoenix Rising Obit, 860 words.
•  Photo available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Just like that, a season filled with ups and downs came to a sudden end for Phoenix Rising FC, first when the team failed to defend its USL title Sunday, followed by Thursday’s announcement that it was parting ways with interim head coach Diego Gomez.

Gomez and the Rising went their separate ways after the club suffered a 2-1 loss to New Mexico United in the first round of the USL playoffs on the road, abruptly ending Phoenix’s bid for a repeat championship..

“Diego stepped into a challenging role this season, and we’re incredibly grateful for his leadership and dedication to Phoenix Rising,” Rising president Bobby Dulle said. “He brought stability to the team during a critical time, and his impact has been significant both on and off the field. After careful consideration, we believe the best path forward is to look externally for a head coach who can lead us into the next phase of success for this club. We have immense respect for Diego and appreciate all he’s done for Phoenix Rising.” Continue reading “Phoenix Rising FC eyes new coach, healthy roster after disappointing end to 2024 season”

• Slug: Sports-ASU Dillingham Malzahn, 800 words.
•  Photo available.

By Tucker Sennett
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Before leading programs in Orlando and Tempe, Gus Malzahn and Kenny Dillingham worked together as head coach and offensive coordinator at Auburn University. On Saturday, the duo will face off as head coaches in a student-versus-teacher matchup for the first time as Malzahn’s UCF Knights come to the Valley.

Proteges coaching against former bosses can sometimes produce hostile comments before the game and tense battles on the field (see the Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher feud). While the final form of the on-field matchup remains a mystery, the two coaches clearly have nothing but respect for one another.

“He’s got a special thing about him,” Malzahn told reporters Monday. “He’s a young guy but he doesn’t act young. He’s got a gift.” Continue reading “Master and Apprentice: Dillingham and Malzahn prepare to face off for first time”

• Slug: Sports-Cardinals Midpoint, 750 words.
•  Photo available.

By Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals have had a peculiar season up to the halfway mark. In Week 4, Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury made their return to the Southwest and embarrassed the Cardinals 42-14 on their home turf. It was not a pretty scene and a microcosm of the team’s ailments up to that point.

The offense was efficient in the pass game but mostly failed to generate significant yardage. The defense was getting run all over to the tune of 216 yards and four touchdowns, allowing a score on every drive.

This loss pushed the Cardinals to 1-3 on the season, and it seemed that general manager Monti Ossenfort’s comments about undergoing a rebuild would come to fruition. Continue reading “Midpoint checkup: Cardinals bolstered by elite running game, but defense must prove itself”

• Slug: Sports-Spoelstra Budenholzer Relationship, 820 words.
•  File photo available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Longevity is never a given in any industry. Coaching jobs in the NBA are no exception.

The only current coaches to stay with a team for at least 10 seasons are Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets), Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).

“It’s a sobering reality of our profession,” Spolestra said Wednesday before the Heat faced the Suns at Footprint Center. “I’m forever grateful to the leadership of Pat Riley and the Arison family. They believe in a culture that has stability, structure and a family atmosphere. And there is business to be done. Sometimes there’s tough decisions to be made. Continue reading “From video coordinators to head coaches, history between Erik Spoelstra, Mike Budenholzer runs deep”

• Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Tommy Troy, 1,050 words.
•  3 photos available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Growing up, Gino Groover’s parents told him there is a small amount of truth to any joke. So whenever the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 9 prospect gives middle infielder Tommy Troy a hard time for working too hard, a small amount of seriousness is sprinkled in.

“I’d be like,‘Dang Tommy, you’ve been swinging for a minute,’” Groover said. “I always tell him, ‘Save some good swings for the game.’”

Troy, the Diamondbacks’ No. 5 prospect and 2023 first-round draft pick, is usually a good sport, not only because he and Groover have spent nearly all of their short minor league careers together, but because Troy also knows it’s true. Continue reading “Diamondbacks prospect Tommy Troy’s focus, trust translate to successful Fall League stint”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Fall League Johnson, 800 words.
•  File photo available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The USA men’s baseball Premier12 team visited Phoenix Municipal Stadium recently to face Arizona State in a tune-up game as the U.S. prepared for the upcoming World Baseball Softball Confederation Championship.

But for infielder Termarr Johnson of Team USA, it was much more than just an exhibition game.

Johnson committed to play at ASU in 2021 before the Pittsburgh Pirates made him the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He had been projected as high as No. 1 overall due to his exceptional play at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta and at the MLB High School All-American Showcase. Continue reading “Former Arizona State baseball commit Termarr Johnson returns to Tempe with Team USA”

• Slug: Sports-Election Sports Reaction, 650 words.
•  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Social media has served as a powerful conduit for athletes to share their political beliefs. That was never more evident than after Tuesday’s presidential election.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić, who is from Bosnia-Herzegovina, spoke to reporters Wednesday about athletes using their social media platforms, while others used theirs to share strong opinions after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to Donald Trump.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese posted on X several times Wednesday. “As a woman, im heartbroken for us all…” and  “I’m so disappointed in America….Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh??!?!?” Continue reading “‘I’m heartbroken’ to ‘Nobody deserves this more’: Athletes deliver mixed reactions to Donald Trump presidential victory”

• Slug: Sports-CFP Rankings BYU, 750 words.
•  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One of the strongest messages to come out of Tuesday’s initial College Football Playoff ranking was the committee’s lack of respect for the Big 12, with its current leader ranked lower than many expected, despite an undefeated record.

BYU was slotted in at No. 9, despite a strong resume of ranked wins over No. 13 SMU on the road, and No. 19 Kansas State. Compared to teams ahead of the Cougars, only Georgia and Oregon have two or more ranked wins based on the committee. Over half of the top 9 have zero as of week 10. All of the teams ahead of BYU, besides No. 8 Indiana, would be considered “traditional” football powers.

The Cougars ranking “really came down to more of an eye test,” said Warde Manuel, the director of athletics at Michigan and current CFP selection committee chair. Continue reading “Did the CFP disrespect the Big 12? First poll reveals little love for BYU”